digital antenna

bluffman2 · 04-09-2007, 02:09 PM

will a digital antenna allow you to have further range for your vhf??

imrich · 04-09-2007, 02:59 PM

It may, they are great antennas. But mounting it higher will certainly increase your range. VHF is line of sight so mount your antenna as high as possible for maximum distance.

imrich · 04-09-2007, 03:01 PM

It may, they are great antennas. But mounting it higher will certainly increase your range. VHF is line of sight so mount your antenna as high as possible for maximum distance.

av8torrich · 04-09-2007, 03:12 PM

It begs this question:

Compared to what?

Rich

bluffman2 · 04-09-2007, 03:16 PM

to a conventional 8ft fiberglass antenna

BW23 · 04-09-2007, 03:17 PM

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php

Radio University · 04-09-2007, 03:52 PM

The "Digital" brand IS a conventional antenna. The name "Digital" is only the name of the manufacturer and is nothing special when compared to Shakespeare for example. What you need to be looking at INSTEAD OF the manufacturers name is the specifications of each antenna you want to compare. Gain, Construction, Coax, Connector, Radiation Pattern etc...

av8torrich · 04-09-2007, 04:07 PM

Bluffman:

I just compared the specifications of both the Sheakspeare and Digital 5/8 wave 8' antennas for the marine band. While they don't specify whether the gain is in decibels relative to a dipole radiator (dBd) or decibels relative to isotropic radiator (dBi) they appear to have pretty much the same performance (I care more about dBd than dBi).

At a glance it appears as though the Digital brand has utilizes superior construction techniques which will enhance the life of the antenna, but as far a performance is concerned they are equal.

Rich

thubert57 · 04-09-2007, 04:19 PM

The mini-connector on the digital is handy if you are threading the coax through the boat.

rwidman · 04-09-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Radio University - 4/9/2007 2:52 PM

The "Digital" brand IS a conventional antenna. The name "Digital" is only the name of the manufacturer and is nothing special when compared to Shakespeare for example. What you need to be looking at INSTEAD OF the manufacturers name is the specifications of each antenna you want to compare. Gain, Construction, Coax, Connector, Radiation Pattern etc...

I was about to say that but you beat me to it.

rwidman · 04-09-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

av8torrich - 4/9/2007 3:07 PM

At a glance it appears as though the Digital brand has utilizes superior construction techniques which will enhance the life of the antenna, ................

They just have a better advertising copy writer.

Radio University · 04-09-2007, 05:53 PM

The best thing about Digital Antenna IS the name. It causes much confusion and makes people believe they are automatically superior to other brands of antennas. Very misleading...

av8torrich · 04-09-2007, 06:05 PM

This is probably true. Another trick they tend to use is not showing the metrics used in the analysis of the antenna performance. One usally has to dig a little deeper to find that data.

I use a Sheakspeare 4' VHF antenna, and it works just fine for what I use it for. Without test equipment most operators would never know the difference between two antennas in the same class.

V/R,

Rich

rwidman · 04-09-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

av8torrich - 4/9/2007 5:05 PM
.......Without test equipment most operators would never know the difference between two antennas in the same class.

Correct. And there would be no difference as far as practical operation in the field (water in this case).

tg · 04-09-2007, 08:34 PM

Just for info purposes, PBR rates Shakespeare higher than Digital in their Feb issue. I use neither....I have a Morad (just in case someone would think I am biased.)

bluewaterpirate · 04-09-2007, 11:58 PM

I have both antennas installed on my Whaler. The Shakespeare is connected to an ICOM 504 and the Digital to a SH Phantom 1000. Icommunicatewith Sea TowMorehead Citywhen fishing the Big Rock area (which is located about 45miles SE of Morehead City, NC). I use either radio/antenna configuartion to do this. You just can't go wrong with either antenna. VHF range is directly related to the antenna heights (LOS) of both transmiting/receiving VHF's and the quality of the coax connection to the antenna connector adaptor..

The digital is to port and the Shakespeare to starboard in the picture below.

Eyeball · 04-11-2007, 11:33 AM

The Digital antenna is superior because it cures tooth decay. The Shakespeare antenna only cures cancer. Not everyone will get cancer; but everyone will get tooth decay.

Help eradicate tooth decay! Buy a Digital antenna!

Cracker · 04-11-2007, 11:49 AM

The problem with the Shakepeare is the connector. That only, if improperly attached will cause signal loss, sometime signifacant loss. I know how they are supposed to be soldered but I am always second guessing my connection. This is one of the main reasons I use a Digital Antenna. The connector comes attached and the antenna works just as well as the Shakespeare maybe better.

rwidman · 04-11-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Cracker - 4/11/2007 10:49 AM

The problem with the Shakepeare is the connector. That only, if improperly attached will cause signal loss, sometime signifacant loss. I know how they are supposed to be soldered but I am always second guessing my connection. ...............

That problem is not with the antenna, it's with the installer.

t3rockhall · 04-11-2007, 12:57 PM

Hmm. I think I'll dig out that old 2m 4-element yagi out of the garage, put it on a pole and stick it in a rod holder.... but (rats) it's analog....