Vhf Whip
what is the difference between a vhf and uhf radio?
I noticed many larger boats have 2 whips on top of their vessel. After some brief research on the internet, I found that one is for a vhf radio and one is for a uhf radio. Is this correct? Why would you want both frequencies? What is a uhf radio?
Large vessels usually have more than one VHF marine radio, those antenna are in the 8 or 9 ft range with some extended to 23 ft. They are the primary means of communications. From larger yachts on up you may find a SSB radio designed to operate in the HF band, those antenna are in the 20ft range also. UHF radios are primarily used for ship to ship comms and are a favorite of the USCG and military. Although you can get VHF ant. in the 3ft to 4ft range, VHF antenna are always that short or they are configured as a dipole, one elelment pointing up and another one pointing down. UHF is strictly line of sight, VHF a ways over the horizon and HF can be good for across oceans under the right conditions. Also, I have run Loran whips and AM/FM whips which all look similar to a VHF.
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Laird Technologies 118-512 MHz VHF Whip Antenna NMO Mount BLACK $12.95 |
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5-071A SMA -female VHF Whip Ant for px777 fd150 kg669 PX-888 kg-689 $12.50 |
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Shakespeare 5247 36″ MARINE VHF Radio Antenna 3dB w HEAVY DUTY SS WHIP $74.95 |
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Shakespeare MARINE VHF 15″ 5216 Stainless Steel Black Whip Antenna w/ Bracket $49.95 |
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THALES MBITR WHIP VHF 136-174 MHZ MINT $10.49 |
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5-048 WHIP VHF 15CM antenna for GP-88 GP-300 GP-308 $13.00 |
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5-160 SMA -female 10.5CM VHF Whip for px888 px777 $13.00 |
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5-048 WHIP VHF 15CM antenna for GP-88 GP-300 GP-308 GP-68 $13.00 |
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5-046 WHIP VHF 14CM antenna for GP-2000 GP-68 GP-328plus $13.00 |
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5-071A SMA -female VHF Whip Ant for px777 fd150 kg669 PX888 $12.50 |
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5-046 WHIP VHF antenna for GP-328 GP-2000 GP-68 GP2000 $13.00 |
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5-046WHIP VHF 14CM antenna for GP-2000 GP-68 GP-328plus $13.00 |
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VHF Flexible Whip Antenna for MOTOROLA NAD6502AR CP150 CP200 P110 GP340 HT1250LS $3.55 |
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Magnetic Taxi Antenna Whip Sharman’S Tx4 Vhf Hi Band $15.21 |
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Laird 118-512 MHz VHF Whip Antenna NMO Mount Style $9.95 |
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5-160 SMA -female 10.5CM VHF Whip Antenna $13.00 |
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Larsen 152-162 MHz VHF Whip NMO Antenna NMOQW152 $9.95 |
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NAGOYA NL-401 SMA Male dual band antenna VHF UHF soft whip 22.7 cm $13.99 |
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5-071B SMA -female VHF Whip Ant for px777 fd160 kg689 PX888 $15.00 |
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ANTENNA SWIVEL JOINT HINGE UNIT FOR TAXI RADIO ANGLE WHIP UHF VHF LOW BAND RWB $5.37 |
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Tram 1602 38″ Stainless Steel Whip VHF Boat Marine Radio Antenna Quick Release $40.99 |
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VHF WHIP Antenna MOTOROLA PRO5150 SP10 SP50 GP340 GP360 $6.50 |
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VHF WHIP ANTENNA 146-174 MHz for Motorola NAD6502AR $6.50 |
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Larsen 144-152 MHz VHF Whip NMO Antenna NMOQW144 $9.95 |
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Nagoya NA-666 BNC dual band long antenna Icom Motorola Kenwood soft whip VHF UHF $15.99 |
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Nagoya NA-666 SMA-F Female dual band long antenna soft whip VHF UHF KG-UVD1P $15.99 |
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Nagoya NA-666 SMA-M male dual band long antenna soft whip VHF UHF UV-3R Mark II $15.99 |
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VHF Whip ANTENNA for ICOM F3GS, F3GT, F30GS, F30GT $6.50 |
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VHF 152 -162 MHz NMO QUARTER WAVE WHIP ANTENNA BLACK $9.99 |
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48 ” Inch SS VHF UHF Cb Ham ALL Radio Antenna Whip $19.99 |
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Shakespeare 5241-R 3′ 3dB VHF Stainless Steel Whip Marine Boat Antenna & Cable $65.29 |
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Laird Technologies 144-152 MHz VHF Whip Antenna NMO Mount BLACK $12.95 |
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Laird Technologies 152-162 MHz VHF Whip Antenna NMO Mount BLACK $12.95 |
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Laird Technologies 144-152 MHz VHF Whip Antenna NMO Mount Style $9.95 |
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VHF Whip Antenna Astro 4 Motorola HT1000 JT1000 MTS2000 $9.99 |
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VHF Whip SMA Antenna For Motorola Radio MTX8000 XTS2500 $9.99 |
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CLANSMAN RADIO FFR LANDROVER WHIP ANTENNA VHF $15.79 |
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Motorola VHF Whip Antenna – Astro Saber HT1000 $17.00 |
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Shakespeare 5242-A-Shakespeare VHF 36in 5242-A SS Whip Low Profile End-Fed Anten $66.88 |
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Shakespeare 5216-Shakespeare VHF 15in 5216 SS Black Whip Antenna – Bracket Inclu $44.60 |
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Shakespeare 5242-A-Shakespeare VHF 36in 5242-A SS Whip Low Profile End-Fed Anten $73.57 |
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VHF 136-150MHz Helical Whip Antenna for ICOM FA-SC25V Two-Way Radios $3.55 |
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VHF 150-174MHz Helical Whip Antenna for ICOM FA-SC55V Two-Way Radios $93.55 |
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23.5″ Black Whip VHF Telescopic Antenna for Motorola $5.99 |
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5218 SHAKESPEARE VHF 19 Inch 5218 BLACK SS WHIP MAGNETIC MOUNT $55.48 |
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Ramsey WA10 Telescopic Whip Antenna VHF – UHF $14.95 |
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5-050 SMA-female VHF Whip Antenna for px777 fd450 kg669 $15.00 |
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Shakespeare VHF 36″ 5242-A Stainless Steel Whip Marine Boat Antenna 3′ $65.69 |
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Tram 38″ Stainless Steel Whip VHF Marine Radio Antenna $30.99 |
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5-160 SMA -female 10.5CM VHF Whip Antenna $13.50 |
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Ham dual band mobile ANTENNA 144 + 435-450 vhf uhf whip $15.99 |
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Shakespeare VHF 15″ 5216 Stainless Steel Black Marine Boat Whip Mast Antenna $43.19 |
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Shakespeare VHF 15in 5216 SS Black Whip Antenna – Bracket Inclu $37.99 |
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PANORAMA ANTENNA VHF UHF WHIP AND HINGE fits M8 body mounts TAXI PMR MARINE NEW $15.41 |
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Motorola VHF 6″ Whip Antenna for HT750 CP200 P1225 GP300 PR400 PR860 Free Ship $5.99 |
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Shakespeare 5216-Shakespeare VHF 15in 5216 SS Black Whip Antenna – Bracket Inclu $53.52 |
Lightning Safety Tips for Fishermen
Super moisturized air whipped by strong southwest winds had baked all afternoon under an intense June sun along the New England lakeshore we were fishing for bass and trout. The heated, humid air rose sharply into an unstable atmosphere and soon towering cumulous clouds darkened the sky – the process of convection (basically, the transfer of heat) had begun. It wasn’t long before we heard the first rumble of thunder and could smell the metallic odor of ozone, a byproduct of rapid condensation in rain or storm clouds. Considering the forecast called for severe thunderstorms, now was the moment to pack up our fishing tackle and
seek shelter inside the nearest gas station or Mickey D’s – we didn’t want to be struck by lightning. Not even a record largemouth bass is
worth getting fried over.
I love the phenomena of thunderstorms. Like many of you, I’m fascinated by the crackle of lightning bolts and house shaking thunderclaps. Also, like too many people, I’ve unwisely continued fishing while a storm approached when I should have been long gone to safety.
Lightning strikes kill an average of 80-100 people every year in the U.S., more than hurricanes and tornados combined. A little more than half of victims were engaged in outdoor recreation like fishing or boating. Ten times as many are struck but survive – many with severe, life-long injuries or disabilities. With the height of lightning season upon us, it’s time
for fishermen to consider lightning safety.
According to the National Weather Service, lightning can strike as many as ten miles away from its source cloud. This is why it is recommended to stop fishing and move indoors as soon any thunder is heard. And because the debris clouds trailing behind a thunderstorm can produce
their own lightning, fishermen should wait 30 minutes after the storm has passed to begin fishing to be completely safe. While inside during a storm stay away from doors and windows, plumbing, wiring, appliances and telephones.
A somewhat less conservative response to seeing lightning involves the “30/30 rule.” Upon spotting lightning, if you can count to 30 before
hearing thunder, the odds are you’re out of range of the lightning. A count of five before hearing thunder equals roughly one mile of distance from a lightning strike, a count of ten equals two miles, etc. However, thunderstorms can move as fast as 50mph so the next bolt of lightning could be right on top of you.
William Becker, of the University of Florida, notes that lightning is very unpredictable and bolts contain as much as 100 million volts – a
minimum of 500,000 times the electricity needed to power a sparkplug! Lightning follows Ben Franklin’s “path of least resistance” rule, and
guess what? The path can easily be through a fisherman’s body, which happens to conduct electricity quite well. So, if it’s impossible to seek indoor shelter and you are trapped outside during a thunderstorm, reducing your exposure is critical.
First thing to do – lay down your fishing rods, they could act like an antennae and draw a lightning strike right to you.
If on land, seek like-sized shrubs or a group of small trees, get low and avoid touching the plants. On open terrain like fishing beaches or desert potholes with no form of cover, find a low spot and crouch on your heels. Never move towards solitary trees and avoid isolated structures like gazebos or picnic table covers (especially if they are constructed of metal), lightning can travel as much a 60 feet sideways after striking an object. An automobile – but not convertibles or cars with a fiberglass roof – offer some shelter but put your hands in your lap and avoid contact with the steering wheel, radio, ignition, etc.
Boaters are at great risk because they are often the highest object on the water’s surface. Even distant thunder or lightning flashes should trigger an immediate move toward shelter on land. As a last resort, lower all fishing rods and radio antennas, then crouch down without contacting any metal railings, wiring, or the motor; don’t get in the water or dangle your legs or hands in the water. If there is time, disconnect the VHF radio and GPS, this way they may survive a lightning strike. Lightning protection systems are available for some fishing boats but getting off the water is safer.
Lightning strikes the United States around 25 million times per year. Most Florida fishermen won’t be ’shocked’ to hear their state annually
has more strikes than any other. However, NOAA notes that lightning occurs in all fifty states. Lightning can occur at any time, but late afternoon hours are the most dangerous periods for lightning strikes, and folks spending time outside in open areas like fields or beaches are the most common victims. So make yourself aware of the weather forecast before heading out to fish and if the predictions include thunderstorms plan on returning home before the storms are due to bubble up.
Fishing for bass, walleye, trout, catfish, bream, or whichever species you favor, can be a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors if you keep in mind lightning safety whenever you grab your fishing rods for a day on the water.
About the Author
Paul and Ken have a combined 60 plus years of fishing experience at many of the top spots around the US and the world. Goto Fishing Lightning Tips for more of our tips on how to catch more fish and have fun doing it.
Fred Fish Memorial Award #2 Goes to Texas Ham
Llewellyn “Pat” Rose, W5OZI, of Junction, Texas, is the recipient of the Fred Fish Memorial Award (FFMA) #2. Thanks to a recent Grid DXpedition by Russ Dwarshius, KB8U, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rose earned FFMA #2; FFMA #1 was awarded posthumously to Fred Fish, W5FF (SK), himself. The ARRL Awards Branch received and approved Rose’s QSL for his last-needed grid — CM79 in California — on July 8,…
