[Sentoa] VHF Antennas

Sun Apr 13 14:43:54 EDT 2008

NOBSKA, our 32 tug, also has a cargo mast/boom (see photo on the "Members' Tugs" Sentoa web site).   The tug came from the factory without a "stack".   The original owners had a modified sailboat mast and boom installed in place of the stack.   The mast originally had an 8' antenna mounted at the top.   NOBSKA lives in a boathouse, so I must lower the mast to get it in the boathouse.   Unfortunately, with the 8' antenna on top of the mast, I couldn't close the curtain (similar to a garage door) as the antenna protruded beyond the open end of the boathouse.   I removed the 8' antenna and installed a 3' base loaded sailboat style antenna (Shakespeare 5215 Squatty BoyT VHF Sailboat Antenna - 3 Ft.).   I have noticed no loss of efficiency in the performance of the Icom VHF radio.   For what it's worth, I have a second (newer) Standard Horizon VHF "DSC" radio with an 8' Shakespeare Galaxy antenna mounted on the top of the pilot house.   I monitor 16 on the Icom, and use the other radio to monitor the appropriate Vessel Traffic channel to keep track of the "big boys" and ferry crossings here in the Puget Sound area.   Plus it's nice to have a second radio should the primary one fail....although I do carry two hand helds also....too many toys.
Charlie Billings
NOBSKA, 32-057
Bremerton YC, WA
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve Weiser 
  To: Owners Nordic Tug 
  Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:47 AM
  Subject: [Sentoa] VHF Antennas

  Has anyone mounted one or more of the stainless steel sailboat-type VHF antennas on their Nordic?  If so,  how did it perform?  I have plenty of height on my Brooks Cargo mast so I'm thinking about this possibility.  

  Steve Weiser

  SKYLARK

  Nordic Tug 37 #114

  Alameda, Calif.

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