Often taken for granted, a yacht's VHF radio is extremely important as both a transmitter and receiver. Even in our globally-connected world, VHF is often our only means of connection whilst at sea, and units are only as good as their VHF antenna...
Aside from the safety aspect, navigation alerts and weather updates, the non-essential uses of VHF radios are broad – from communication to and from the Race Committee for start procedure and courses, to having a chat mid-ocean with other open-sea rovers. They can also be used to book restaurants and order delivery pizzas in many a safe anchorage.
The importance of clear and robust VHF signal is crucial. You don’t want the anchovy topping on your Neapolitan when you specifically didn’t order it, or vigorous mocking for sailing round the wrong mark due to poor VHF reception.
To get the best performance out of your VHF antenna it is not so much about boosting your signal, as to try as much as possible to reduce the signal losses in your system, which are always inevitable.
The main focus of this guide is at the opposite end to the radio – the VHF antenna – very much the key part of the system, and there are several choices on the market. Unobstructed elevation is key to the mounting of the antenna. Ideally this should ensure a clear line of sight – so the mast head is the favoured location.
Our guide to the best VHF antenna options is broken down into 3 sub-categories:
Jump to masthead antennae
Jump to whip antennae
Jump to fiberglass antennae
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Masthead VHF antennae
Shakespeare S/S Whip VHF With Hawk Windex
Multi-use money saver
This combined Antenna and windex cleans up the top of any mast.
Particularly good on mastheads with a little more space, to fit this unit there must be enough room to avoid any conflict between the wind gear wand and the stainless steel whip antenna.
Boats with a mast crane would benefit from reducing the clutter at the masthead, as would those with forward-facing wind gear.
The Shakespeare brand (sold as V-Tronix in Europe) is one of the leaders in the VHF antenna field, so it’s easy to find after-sales support.
Combining the windex and VHF antenna to reduce the clutter really does makes a lot of sense!
Reasons to buy
– Combines two of essential bits of masthead kit
– Spares kits for the windex part are readily available
Reasons to avoid
– Not available to all – there may be a conflict between the S/S Whip and the masthead unit
Specs
Gain – 3 dB
Max Power – 50 Watts
Weight – 250g
Length – 0.9m
Buy it now on Gaelforcemarine.co.uk
Buy it now on Amazon
V-Tronix Heliflex Stub Antenna
The grand prix choice
The beauty of the V-tronix heliflex stub is the low profile size and its robust rubber construction.
A favourite in the racing world to reduce windage, and fitted on the majority of raceboats to date, it can be easily mounted on the craneless grand prix-style rigs.
Its squat size means it’s shorter than the wind gear and the windex – space really is at a premium at the top of a race rig and simplicity is the key.
The heliflex part of the name is a reference to the VHF antenna coil all under the rubberised skin – this spiral set up gives the antenna the length and reception required for great reception
Reasons to buy
– The favourite of Grand Prix racers
– Small and compact to save space and reduce windage
– Made in a robust and weatherproof rubber casing – its tough!
Reasons to avoid
– Because of its diminutive size its important to give it as clear a mounting as possible
Specs
Gain – 3dB
Max power – 50 watts
Weight – 50g
Length – 0.15m
But what if you can’t mount a VHF antenna on the masthead?
Not sure where to mount the VHF antenna due to difficulties and obstructions like bulkheads and access to the mast itself? Well, all is not lost.
For the most efficient signal, the main direction of the focus of the antenna is horizontally – there certainly isn’t quite as much need for cover directly up or down for that matter – but the heel and the motion of the yacht are considered in the design, and manufacturers do allow for this. So finding a spot which limits obstructions is the goal.
Somewhere else on the mast, elevated or aftward, are the next best spots – so long as it’s clear of running backstays and anything else that may damage it or obstruct its view.
An interesting (first world) problem some sailing superyachts have encountered is that they have a VHF black spot just a few metres around the yacht itself, created by the mast. So the solution has been to add a couple more antenna lower down and on either side of the mast to allow complete unobstructed coverage.
Let’s have a look at some versatile whip antenna for mast or deck mounting.
Whip antennae
The versatile options – on mast or deck
Metz Mantra 6 VHF Whip Antenna
Cruisers’ favourite
This little antenna is widely considered the best whip antenna on the market. It’s been around for 40 years and is favoured by the US Coastguard and many a seasoned cruiser.
With the coil guaranteed for life and the stainless whip replaceable, this little unit up for the challenge of long-term cruising.
Happy on the mast or transom, this is one tough antenna – but some do warn of making sure the cable-end connection is properly protected from the elements.
Reasons to buy
– Widely regarded as the king of the cruisers
– Guarantees and spares available
Reasons to avoid
– Harder to find in Europe, but not impossible
– Slightly more expensive than very similar offerings from the bigger rivals
Specs
Gain – 3dB
Max power – 250 watts
Weight – 230g
Length – 0.87m
Shakespeare Squatty 5215 Whip Antenna (5214 in the US)
King of the Whip title challenger
These antennae are suited equally well on the masthead or the pushpit. This style is definitely a favourite of many seasoned ocean cruisers.
This is Shakespeare’s version, closely resembling the famous Metz Mantra but at a fraction of the cost. The whip-style antenna is small and light but very capable of great coverage, standing at 1m high.
The stainless-steel whip also has a fair bit of flexibility, which means it can take some accidental bending without damage, so when hauling in that prize tuna mid-ocean, you don’t have to worry so much about any breakages in the heat of the fight (in the VHF antenna department at least!)
Reasons to buy
– A great little whip antenna from a high-quality brand
– Widely available
– Nice price point
Reasons to avoid
– Up against stiff opposition for the title
– Bit of a compromise compared to antennae made specifically for masthead or deck
Specs
Gain – 3dB
Max power – 50 watts
Weight – 650g
Length – 1m
Supergain Glomex Task Whip Antenna
A smaller alternative
This tiny 530mm whip antenna was designed with RIBs in mind – but it also packs the same punch as you get in a VHF antenna twice its size.
Because of its RIB heritage it certainly is built to survive the bounciest conditions – perfect for those who either choose to or always find themselves with long upwind battles.
This would benefit from being mounted as high as possible but it seems to be pretty impressive even sat on the push pit. Quick to take on and off, it is well worth a look at, especially for smaller boats
Reasons to buy
– Small and mighty – used to a proper work out
– Easy to find a suitable elevated spot, due to its compact size
Reasons to avoid
– Mount with care – it’s as easy to place it in a position of poor reception
Gain – 3dB
Max power – 50 watts
Weight – 125g
Length – 0.53m
Buy it now at Gael Force marine
Fibreglass antennae
These fibreglass sturdy antennae will get you the best reception if deck mounting is your only option.
Lowrance (Simrad) 1710 VHF Antenna Ultraglass Q
This fiberglass antenna comes under many different company names – Lowrance, Simrad and B&G, all big players in the marine electronics world.
It comes with two fibreglass antenna parts which gives you two different possible configurations of antenna length.
Normal useable length is 1m, which is ideal for using in port or anchorage, but this can be extended to a whopping 2.4m when needed.
The connection is quick fit, so is part of the mount, which makes it really easy to remove the VHF antenna when you are not using the boat for extended periods without having to worry able cable runs.
Reasons to buy
– Extremely adaptable with two different length options
– Easily removable
Reasons to avoid
– More care needed on connections from the environment when not connected
Gain – 6dB (max)
Max Power – 100 watts ( max)
Weight – 400g
Length – 2.4m
Shakespeare Galaxy 5225 XT (white) 5226XT (black)
The go-to fibreglass deck mounted antenna for a decent signal, and globally available.
It is extra tough, hence the XT label, and comes in a choice of white or black with a UV protective polyurethane finish to keep it looking smart.
At 2.4m this antenna is probably as long as you would wish on a sailboat, but does get you the sort of boosted signal you need when not using the mast to get great coverage.
As mentioned previously, Shakespeare is a brand at the top of the game, so reliability is good and there is plenty of support, including a five-year warranty.
Reasons to buy
– A very popular antenna from a leading brand.
– Super stiff and tough which will last a long time
– Great coverage from deck level
Reasons to avoid
– Big. About as big as you can would want to get away with, so quite obtrusive
Gain –6dB
Max Power – 100 watts
Weight – 1800g
Length – 2.4m
Buy it now at West Marine (white)
Buy it now at West Marine (black)
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