Marine Aerials Leash?

Howdy All

Question regarding securing radio aerials...

For radio aerials... in this case a GME AE346H
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/antennas/27-mhz/ae346h.aspx

A) Given that these exist as a separate item > https://www.whitworths.com.au/gme-replacement-aerial-knob-for-ae346-aerials
Due to them shearing off...

B ) And that these also exist as a separate item > https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/antennas/27-mhz/aw346h.aspx
Due to them falling off, if you haven't tightened the knob up enough (in order to not shear the knob off)

Should I create a leash to secure the aerial to the base in the event of either A or B happening?
Thinking of using either >100lb mono or plastic coated wire trace?
Would the wire trace create any interference issues?

Example idea...

Don't ask me how I know about either A or B...

Knowing what I know now... I would have gone for a different type, but there were already similar bases installed on the deck so...

Image Upload: 

Tim's picture

Posts: 2497

Date Joined: 26/09/06

Aerial

Sun, 2018-05-06 14:48

Had a 2.4m aerial fall off a couple of weeks ago. They float.

Was probably the better result than banging around the side of the boat and dragging in the water if it had a leash

Posts: 16

Date Joined: 11/01/17

At least the banging against

Sun, 2018-05-06 15:49

At least the banging against the hull would tell me something was up ;)

I haven't tested it.. but I cant see the AE346H aerial floating... it weighs 360gm.

Is the 2.4 you're talking about like this type?
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/antennas/27-mhz/aw368h.aspx

I had a look at these while chasing up the new aerial, they were very light and much thicker (maybe where the floatation comes from?)

If I had my time again, this is probably the type I would have preferred to go with... but given yours fell off as well...

Tim's picture

Posts: 2497

Date Joined: 26/09/06

Yep

Sun, 2018-05-06 19:08

Yep thats the one. 

Have had them come undone over time maybe once a year needing a tighten.

Mine seperated at the base and came apart with the outside sleeve falling off wut internals were still connected.

Have probably been on there 6 years or so and needed changing anyway as when I looked at it the screw fitting was corroded and probably the reason my reception had gone to crap.

Just replaced aerials and bases so should be all good again for a while

Posts: 1086

Date Joined: 21/05/12

 leash would make no

Sun, 2018-05-06 19:14

 leash would make no differenceto the Tx/Rx

especailly made out of nylon

 

Posts: 16

Date Joined: 11/01/17

Turns out I was wrong...

Mon, 2018-05-21 14:39

...The aerial fell off due to yet another broken bolt...

Went to put the new one on today and the remains of the bolt still in there.

Had to drill it out.

Semi convinced these bases are designed to fail this way... keeps GME in cash for spare parts...

Posts: 2925

Date Joined: 27/12/06

pacific

Wed, 2018-05-23 06:46

I have pacific aerials, and had one come off a few years ago (they don't float) and noticed on occasion some getting lose. I just put a couple of wraps of white electrical tape around them and haven't had a problem since