VHF antenna ground

[dbeck]

Hello builders,

I am thinking about adding a fixed VHF radio to our boat. The setup I have in mind is super simple: Battery, fuse, switch, radio, antenna. In this setup, the battery ground would serve as the antenna ground. However, I was told that proper antenna grounding would improve radio performance, using dynaplate might be an option. However, I don't like to drill holes through the hull. Of course I could cheat and run a wire through the drain holes in the transom but that will look ugly.

For those of you who installed a fixed VHF radio on Pocketship or a similar wooden boat: Do you have a dedicated grounding? If yes, how did you implement it? If not, have you experienced any issues with VHF performance?

(A handheld VHF is not an option. Only fixed VHF radio installation are allowed on German inland waters.)

Cheers,

Dietrich

[Hooky]

G'Day Dietrich,
I have installed a few VHF radios over the years in timber and fiberglass yachts and have connected the + and - wires to the battery (via a fuse, switch etc.) with no issues to the radio performance. The aerial is connected to the radio unit for its grounding.
Once installed give it a test, I'm sure it will be fine.
Cheers mate
Terry

[Pasi in Finland]

Hi Dietrich,

it should not be a problem to just connect the + and - to the battery.

If using a GP (Ground Plane) whip antenna, as most of the commercial boat antennas are, the coaxial cable shielding will act as the ground plane and should work fine. After all, most boats are fiberglass and don't conduct either.

Theoretically it would be beneficial to have a contact to the water, but it is hard to achieve well and would not improve much.

Pasi
Msc EE and OH8NKW