maybe the concern is that a handheld VHF would loose so much signal strength/quality when traveling the longer antenna wire to the masthead versus the bonus of have broadcast/receive ability at a higher line of sight. or maybe the improved range is not worth the money/time of installing on the masthead if you only get a small improvement over a 24' antenna. you get this from boatUS (http://www.boatus.com/boattech/vhf.htm) Fixed-Mount VHF Radios VHF radios are available in both fixed-mount and hand-held models. All fixed-mount VHFs have a maximum output of 25 watts, the maximum allowed by the FCC. VHF is a line-of-sight system, which means the radio waves won't bend to follow the curvature of the earth. The VHF antenna must "see" the antenna of a distant station. Therefore, antenna height is more important in determining range than radio wattage. The effective useful range of a VHF radio is 20-25 miles. Hand-Held VHF Radios VHF handhelds also offer many of the same features found on fixed-mount units. They offer portability in the same way a cordless phone allows more mobility at home. A handheld radio may be just what you need for use in a dinghy, small boat without electrical systems, or as an emergency backup for your boat's radio. Handhelds have a maximum output of six watts. Due to their short antennas, they have a limited range of five miles. A significant increase in range can be achieved by connecting an external antenna or using a telescoping antenna mounted to the hand-held radio. there is also this showing line of sight differences - http://www.qsl.net/kd4sai/distance.html see also the formula for distance of transmission/receiving - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF i'm all for a test -- someone throw me the money to install a masthead antenna and necessary connections and i'll take my M15 out for a scientific survey. i'll just need another boater-folk to sit at further points and compare signal strength between a handheld 'short antenna v. long antenna v. masthead antenna. come to think of it i'd need enough money to stay on the water through many weather conditions in order to do a proper test and report back to the group ;-) dave scobie M15 #288 (not yet named) Robbin Roddewig <robbin.roddewig@verizon.net> wrote: Hi guys, I am not sure I agree with the gentleman that said that elevating you VHF antenna would be a waste of time. In my spare time I teach graduate courses in electrical engineering and it is a well established rule that elevating both antennas, the mobile and base station, aids in channel strength. If this were not true the cell phone companies would not bother to put their base station antennas on towers. Just a thought. Robbin --------------------------------- Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out.

The long distance seems (per the group electronic masters) to affect the signal and the inspection of connections that can't been seen easily. I want my VHF to be mobile but with a boosted signal. I am still not sure of the connection to my handheld unit. ---L -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+larry.hughston=dgs.ca.gov@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+larry.hughston=dgs.ca.gov@mailman.xmiss ion.com] On Behalf Of John Tyner Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 3:10 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: RE: M_Boats: VHF boost Larry, What was the reasoning against connecting the handheld to a masthead antenna? I've been thinking of doing this myself. ~ John Tyner M-15 #412 "Chimpanzee" -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+tynerjr=md.metrocast.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+tynerjr=md.metrocast.net@mailman.xmissi on.com]On Behalf Of Larry E Yake Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:53 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com; nwpotters@yahoogroups.com Subject: M_Boats: VHF boost I found something in the latest issue of Sail mag that is actually of use to small boat sailors like us. In the "Ask Sail" section a skipper inquired about improving the range of his handheld VHF with a masthead antenna. Their expert (Gordon West) basically shot that down, but added the following: "A better way to improve a handheld's performance is to get a longer antenna for it. Your local marine radio store (or go to www.hamradio.com) should sell 24-inch-long flexible antennas with an SMA connector. Get one for the 2-meter band, which is close enough in frequency to the marine VHF band. Mounting one of these antennas should give you twice the range that you'll get from the standard handheld antenna." I don't think I would want a 24" antenna on my radio all the time, but it would be nice to have one to screw on when you need the extra range. Larry Yake M17 #200 CornDog "In a power boat you get there faster. In a sailboat you're already there." _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats