VHF radio accessories – antennas and mounting parts
In the VHF accessories product group, you will find additional parts needed for installing and using a VHF marine radio: antenna holders, a rotatable mounting foot (Pro Series), an antenna splitter (for example, allowing the use of the same antenna for several devices), and the Ocean Signal SafeSea LB4V lithium emergency battery pack for the VHF telephone, which is intended for emergency situations and ensures that the radio will function even if the boat's main electrical system fails in an emergency.
The location and height of the VHF antenna directly affect the range of the radio – an antenna mounted as high as possible, without obstructions, will have a longer range than one mounted low or in the shadow of other structures. A swivel mounting foot is useful, for example, on sailboats, where the antenna must be able to be swiveled down when passing under bridges or during mast maintenance work.
An emergency battery pack is worth considering, especially on longer sea voyages, where the VHF radio is the most important emergency communication channel – the battery pack ensures that the radio will work even if the boat's own battery runs out or there is a fault in the electrical system. Remember to test the operation and channel selection of the VHF radio regularly before the start of the season, and check the condition of the antenna and cables annually for corrosion and wear.
An antenna splitter is a useful solution, especially on smaller boats where there is no space for several separate antennas, or when you want to connect, for example, a VHF radio and an AIS receiver to the same antenna without two separate feedthroughs on the deck - the splitter divides the signal between the devices without significant power loss, as long as it is sized correctly for the frequency range being used.
The Ocean Signal SafeSea LB4V emergency battery pack should be checked and charged regularly, as it is designed to operate when the boat's main electrical system has failed - a dead spare battery will not help in an emergency. The swivel mounting foot (Pro Series) is especially convenient for sailboaters who need to lower the antenna from time to time, for example when passing under bridges or during mast maintenance work without removing the entire antenna. Check the condition of the antenna cable and connectors annually for corrosion - a poor connection will significantly reduce transmission power and range, even if the radio itself is working flawlessly.
Consider purchasing an antenna splitter in advance if you plan to expand your system with an AIS receiver later – a pre-sized splitter will save you from later reinstallation and additional deck penetration work.
Compare the antenna length and gain (dB) to the size of your boat – a longer antenna does not always mean better range if the movement of the boat at sea makes it difficult for the antenna to remain upright.