When you commit to your VHF setup, you want to ensure that everything is up to par. You might find yourself looking at the endless supply of products and wondering: why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important?
That’s exactly why we’ve written this article. Read on to learn exactly why the length of your antenna matters and how you can choose the perfect setup.
What is the ideal height for a VHF antenna?
The length of your antenna is relative to a few different circumstances. The first of which is your surroundings.
If you need to compete with anything around you, whether that be trees, buildings, or mountains, you need a competitive height.
The other consideration is the purpose behind the antenna. When using it for communications, especially time-sensitive and important ones, you want to opt for length to add reliability.
The only downside of a larger product is that it gives the wires more wiggle room for flaws. However, provided you choose a reputable manufacturer and distributor, this won’t pose an issue for your setup.
Difference between 3dB Gain, 6dB Gain, 10dB Gain VHF antenna
As with any technical product, there are specifications for different purposes.
When considering the gain on the item, the amount of power you can source from the antenna itself, the purpose of the antenna is everything:
3dB Gain
Found with a loaded coil design, these are shorter antennas that work better for vehicles and other situations requiring mobility.
Though it offers less gain than for other situations, it is often a more practical product for actual use.
Many prefer this one because it makes the VHF system more accessible.
6dB Gain
Offering four times as much strength for transmission (in terms of range) than a 3dB system, it comes with the downside of added length.
Of course, if your unit is stationary, this is suitable. It improves your overall power gain substantially without becoming a challenging installation in your backyard.
Additionally, this is a favored direction for marine vessels. It offers a good range when communicating with the shore and adds safety to the drivers and passengers.
10dB Gain
A more heavy-duty option, this offers a strong amount of power. While they are significantly larger, the amount of transmitting and receiving capability improves in tandem with the added length.
Only suited for stationary use, it is an ideal option for dedicated stations and radio installments. This option is something you would more likely see at a lighthouse than on a ship.
The Mounting Techniques of VHF Antenna
There are different approaches to mounting your VHF antenna. The decision as to how you plan to approach mounting depends largely on where you plan to install the item.
First, pick where you want to mount it – opt for a place as high as possible off the ground. Make certain that the component which controls the direction of the radiation is as far as possible from any metal.
Bear in mind that you should leave some room for walking around the antenna itself. You need to be able to maneuver properly.
The collection of EMF can impact organic matter over time so give as wide of a berth as possible. Next, consider the base of the unit. If your unit requires a ground plane feature, keep this as your primary reference point.
From here, you want to route the cable with caution. Even the slightest amount of damage can impact the level of interference over the long run. Keep the wire’s path as smooth and straight as possible to see the best results.
Make sure that the coax line is a sufficient distance from the radio itself. At least a meter is the best way to go. The longer the wire, the more signal loss. Ensure that you use the proper type of wiring.
Next, address the connection itself. This is where the coax attaches to the radio. Carefully splice the wires together. The more caution you exercise, the better your signal quality in the long run.
Once everything is in place, run a simple test. Check out all aspects of the system. Evaluate your reach, your transmission success as well as receivership.
If all these criteria are thoroughly up to par, you have successfully set it up. Otherwise, go back and check your connections, separate your units, assess for any interference (like surrounding metal), and repeat the test.
Antenna Height Calculations
Your antenna’s height is directly related to your reach. It impacts the amount of power loss from the radio itself as well. Essentially, it is a straightforward equation.
The reach for transmissions is equal to 1.42 times the square root of the antenna’s height. Bear in mind that these are in metric.
Depending on the source of your VHF antenna, you will find its advertised height in imperial. Ensure that you convert your units into the metric system to get an accurate answer.
When evaluating the length of your antenna, consider interference as well.
Think of the fact that weather itself impacts the quality of the transmission and, even if in optimal conditions your unit should reach kilometers, this will be drastically reduced by an electrical storm.
Given that coastal areas (places where VHF radios are most popular) are prone to extreme weather, ensure that you have the necessary amount of power, not just reach.
It’s ultimately a trade-off. You lose ambient energy proportionate to the height of the antenna. However, a taller unit gives you a wider broadcasting range.
Assess your priorities to get a full picture understanding of how tall a unit you wish to purchase and install.
Maintenance Tips for your VHF Antenna 350
In order to get the best, long-term performance out of your VHF antenna, you need to complete some routine maintenance.
Provided you were cautious as to the wiring during installation, even the most basic maintenance plan keeps the item good for the long haul.
Consider the following aspects in assessing your maintenance needs:
Connections
When you set up your system, you put an insulator on the unit at the point of connection.
Whether your unit came with one included or you sourced one separately, it served the important function of adding stability to the wires.
Once in a while, you need to check whether it’s holding steady. If it looks in any way worn or compromised, remove it, clean the surroundings, and replace the unit.
Mount
The mount itself is a critical part of the infrastructure. Though it looks (and is) tough, wind damage builds up over time.
Especially after high-velocity winds, ensure that it is sturdy and performing well. Keep the area clean and free of debris. You should check the unit frequently to prevent the build-up of issues.
Coax
Bends in your wire can cause an alarming amount of interference with your communications. Check the entire line and ensure that there are no kinks.
Since you probably pinned it down, make sure that each of them is in place. If it slipped at all, reinforce the system.
Testing
A critical part of the maintenance process, test the actual operation of the system on a regular basis.
Especially if this is a means of emergency communication, you want it ready when needed.
To this end, and since there are so many internal components, it’s best to conduct preventive maintenance by doing a systems check.
As with all tools, the frequency of maintenance is pursuant to specific conditions.
If you experience a lot of weather; if there is a lot of dust and debris in the air or there was any kind of impact, you must address the item.
Base the frequency at which you perform maintenance around the ambient conditions. It leaves you with the best results for your individual situation.
What is a VHF Antenna?
A VHF antenna is a crucial piece of your radio infrastructure. The idea behind this setup is to improve your abilities to communicate – especially on or around bodies of water.
The purpose of these antennas is to radiate the power from the transmitter.
Your radio has a component that commands the sending of information via radio waves. This transmission produces power or energy.
However, the direction remains uncontrolled – at least this is true without a VHF antenna. The product aims energy in the correct direction.
By radiating this power outward towards the place of your choosing, it enhances your communication abilities.
Since it is so critical to the basic function of your system, it makes sense that its length matters.
How Does The VHF Antenna Work?
A very high-frequency antenna works by attaching to your system and using its infrastructure to channel the information in the proper direction. It interfaces with high frequencies.
Basically, this refers to waves with incredibly short lengths.
They connect to your system of choice and cause the radiant energy to move in the proper way. Ranging in size, these antennas are available in different sizes.
The kind you require depends on what you plan to use the system for. Usually, for larger, industrial or professional purposes, the antenna will be quite long (as much as 70 feet).
Benefits of Using a VHF Antenna
You see a lot of virtues using a VHF antenna. These wide-ranging features include:
- Limiting your overall radio interference as a result of busy surroundings.
- Giving you a crisper sound experience. Because they avoid interference, you can more easily hear the other end of the transmission.
- Portable and movable by nature, you can easily move these around. Generally geared towards marine vessels, the nature of these items makes it easy when you move them from place to place.
- Minimum maintenance due to their inherent simplicity. Provided you take reasonable care of these items, they will last the long term without being too demanding.
Problems With VHF Antenna
As with any product, there are a few issues you may encounter with your VHF antenna. Often, these have to do with reception issues.
Sometimes the issue is mechanical and has to do with the lead wires in your antenna. If they are poorly encased, then the internal circuitry can slip out of place. This can result in interference.
Other problems can appear as a result of the cabling design itself. If the wiring is inefficient, it leaves you prone to poor reception.
Though the function of a VHF antenna is fairly straightforward, there is a lot of room for error.
The wiring requires precision installation. Additionally, the presence of surrounding metal property can cause issues with the antenna’s performance.
The good news is that there is troubleshooting support available. Check out this helpful video that walks you through some of the basic steps involved with problem-solving.
You can cure most mechanical issues with your antenna fairly easily, so don’t despair. Generally, once you address the concern once, it stays in good condition for a long time.
Radio Spectrum
When it comes to radio frequencies, although they make up a minimum amount of the electromagnetic spectrum, it is still pretty nuanced.
1. VLF
Known as very low-frequency radio waves, these correlate with wavelengths that range up to a hundred kilometers long.
While not extremely low frequency, they are quite long.
2. LF
Referred to as low-frequency waves, these types are usually used for systems like RFID tracking.
They also provide internal communication within compatible systems.
3. MF
Medium frequency radio waves run from 300 kilohertz to 3 megahertz. Often, you’ll call this is SSB radio.
Used for communication, you can easily transmit and receive voices through these wavelengths.
4. HF
Called high-frequency waves, this is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that falls between 3 and 30 megahertz.
Used in shortwave radio, this is critical in the function of communication within reasonable distances.
5. VHF
Termed as very high frequencies, it is a globally acknowledged transponding system.
Primarily used in the context of water vehicles, you encounter this for internship communications and messages sent from shore out to ship (and back again).
6. UHF
This type of radiofrequency is one you most likely interface with on a day to day basis.
Applicable to everything from cell phone communications to satellite dealings, this is a very common frequency range.
Everything from walkie talkie technology to GPS uses this range.
7. SHF
Super high-frequency radio waves refer to those used for data transmission.
Due to their natural properties, they are capable of storing and relaying substantial amounts of information.
Resultantly, they apply to satellite communications in addition to radar systems for weather-related purposes.
8. EHF
Known as the least used radio spectrum, it is almost never utilized for earth communications. It does however apply to satellites communicating while in orbit.
In situations where atmospheric interference is not a concern, this set of wavelengths is useful (especially since it is so sparsely populated).
If you want to learn more about the differences between these sets of wavelengths, there are tonnes of information available.
For a thorough breakdown of the specifics, check out this video.
Difference Between VHF and UHF Antennas
The key difference between these two is the length of the waves which they send out and receive.
Whereas VHF antennas deal with large radio waves, their UHF counterpart deals with smaller waves that are, by nature, more closely held.
Depending on what frequencies you wish to deal with, you will need one of the two.
Pros of VHF antennas over UHF
When you want an outdoor setup with multiple capabilities for transmission and receiving, a VHF is a good way to go.
Better designed for heavy-duty, industrialized purposes, there’s a reason marine ships choose this approach.
Especially when you wish to transmit between 5 and 216 megahertz, the VHF antenna is a wise choice.
Cons of VHF antennas over UHF
When considering a VHF over a UHF antenna, bear in mind that VHF is meant for the outdoors.
If you want to take it into the house, VHF probably won’t work for you. Since, when inside, VHF signals break down quickly, you want to have a VHF setup outdoors – all the time.
Cost of Buying VHF Antenna
The price of your antenna varies depending on its length, the style of mount, and the type of coax line included. Simpler products are available for less than three figures.
Heavier duty choices can run you a few hundred dollars. Of course, more specialized equipment will cost proportionally more.
To get set up with amateur radio equipment, the VHF antenna systems on the market are extremely affordable.
Final Thoughts
For those wondering to themselves: “Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important?”, the answer is simple. It impacts the power and reaches of your entire radio communication system.
Provided you have a good understanding of your surroundings and radio needs, you can make a fully-informed decision. With the right antenna, the sky’s the limit for your radio experiences.