Marine Antennas

[MathMan]

I really do not have space for an 8 foot antenna. Will I be giving up much with the Shakespeare 5400-XT Little Giant VHF -- this is a four foot antenna. Great lakes and inland waters (e.g., Winnebago). I don't have a real big boat, so do not plan on any Great Lake crossings. Will it work, or do I need to find the space for an 8 footer?


Rick Mitchell
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

[hawg]

great lakes you need distance...go 8 ft. inland, the little giant is just fine. how do you have a boat that doesn't have room for an 8 ft but can still go on the great lakes?

[MathMan]

I should clarify, the room seems hard to come by. I have a Mr. Pike 17 -- there is room, but it does not work out exactly the way I would like it. I also would like to be able to take off the antenna (additional connections), and perhaps store in a rod locker.

Rick Mitchell
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

[punch1]

Rick,

After checking on a good antenna location for the last few months and not wanting to drill holes and not be happy with the location, I found the absolute greatest location for my 8' antenna.

I wish I had a digital camera because a picture is worth a thousand words and it would take a thousand word to describe how I mounted it. I'll try though.

The antenna is mounted on a ratchet type antenna mount along the port side of the boat. It is mounted along the INSIDE of the gunnel. Not on top like I and most others think, but along the side on the inside. Basically the passengers left elbow would touch the ratchet mount or be close to it when seated.

When the antenna is stowed it rests neatly and completely out of the way along the top of the interior vinyl padded trim. Deployed it is on the INSIDE of the windshield and clears the windshield by a few inches.

This may be difficult to envision because the ratchet mount can be adjusted so that it can be secured to the top of a flat surface (common) or twisted so that it can be secured to the wall of an up and down surface. I hope this helps. I'm not sure of the set up on the Mr. Pike but I would have to believe this would work on any boat with a vertical mounting surface. What's nice is this antenna is truly completely out of the way when stowed and I will never have to worry about tripping on it and such like I would have had I mounted it on top of the gunnel.

Good luck. I'll be on the Fox Friday and Saturday and the Menominee Sunday.

Pat Wunsch

"Should have been here last week!"

[rmitchel]

I will try that Pat -- I have not really given the port side much thought up until now. Good luck fishing this weekend. I will you e-mail you later this weekend to hear how your track system is working out.