Dumber VHF/Antenna Question

[fishunt]

If I want to install a second fixed mount VHF (backup) VHF on my boat, do I need to install a second VHF antenna? Can 2 VHF's work off of the same antenna?

Thanks

Bill

[Boz]

Bill, I did just that on my old flybridge - - one VHF on the bridge, one on the lower station, sharing one antenna on the radar arch. I used a Shakespeare antenna switch, with the incoming cable attached to the single terminal and the VHFs to the two terminals on the other side.

Worked like a charm; never had any reception or transmission problems.

Only thing you have to be careful about is accidentally keying up the radio that is disconnected from the switch at the time.

[frank1861]

If I want to install a second fixed mount VHF (backup) VHF on my boat, do I need to install a second VHF antenna? Can 2 VHF's work off of the same antenna?

Thanks

Bill

If you are looking to install a second VHF as a back up I would install a second antenna as a backup too.

[FishinPole2]

Hi Bill,

I would also suggest you install a second backup antenna as frank1861 mentioned. In all my years of ocean fishing, my only radio problems have been with breaking antennas and/or antenna mounts. I have had more than one stainless steel mount snap in two during rough weather. A good back up system is having two seperate radios / antennas .

Regards,

Stas

aka, FishinPole2

[Fishinspot]

What they said. I would put 2 antenna's. if your going to have a backup system install the whole system. if the antenna fails or has problems both vhf's are worthless.

[fishunt]

What they said. I would put 2 antenna's. if your going to have a backup system install the whole system. if the antenna fails or has problems both vhf's are worthless.

thanks for the advice guys. I think i'll install 2 antennas.

Bill