capeguy

I have a small center console (GW 18') and am looking at vhf radios (fixed mount). I am thinking of the SH Black box mounted inside the console and putting a 4' antenna on the grab rail on the top of the console. I heard somewhere that the radio and antenna need to be 3' or more apart. Is this true? Is the distance measured from the base of the antenna or the center? In my case, the base of the antenna would only be 1-2' from the unit inside the console.

The other option is a regular unit on top of the console but that is even closer to the antenna...

Any recommendations?

yachtjim

Go with your initial setup. They do not NEED to be 3' apart, it is only recommended. I have never seen one not work because of being to close. On just about any center console with the VHF in the electronics box the antenna and unit are closer than 3'.

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davepen

Just for the sake of argument...

My Raymarine Ray53 was installed within 3' of my antenna and would reset every time I tried to transmit. The problem went away after I moved the antenna to the other side of the boat.