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Re: What do you use as your VHF aerial? Freedom 33 Cat Sloop

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 11:17 am
by mike cunningham
Yea, crazy is the correct word, especially the last 150 miles!! Look forward to comparing notes with you later this month.

I contacted the manufactures Tram and Practical Sailor published my complaint. Crickets from the manufacturer. I need to go to a different antenna. I will check out the Shakes unit. Having the antenna fall off is dangerous, esp. if you don't notice it's missing for awhile.

Re: What do you use as your VHF aerial? Freedom 33 Cat Sloop

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:09 pm
by BillSmith
Hey you two, let us be amongst I'm sure many to congratulate you on the successful voyage(s). Followed online and read quotes/quips of the journey. Thanks for flying the flag of Freedom in fine fashion.

All the best,

Bill & Carole

Re: What do you use as your VHF aerial? Freedom 33 Cat Sloop

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 5:17 pm
by GeoffSchultz
Mike, when you say that you lost the antenna, what do you mean? What fell off? I fail to see how the antenna can just fall off as it's attached with a large nut.

-- Geoff

Re: What do you use as your VHF aerial? Freedom 33 Cat Sloop

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:51 pm
by mike cunningham
Geoff,

It is a very poorly designed antenna IMO. What happens, and I was able to simulate this in my garage, is the circular wipping of the antenn while underway actually walks the antenna asembly off the mount.

The antenna whip is seated and welded or crimpped into a bullet shaped base. This base has a female threaded socket which screws into the male thrreaded post on the mount which is attached to the mast cap.. There are no set screws in the bullet shaped base. Although this time I applied a lot of torque and locktite, the bullet shaped base seemed to have, once again, walked itself off the threaded male stud on the mount.

I know it soulds hard to believe but I was actually able to make this happen by simulating the ships motion with my hand and seeing if I could walk the whip off the mount. I could actually do this. I though a lot of torque and some locktite would solve the problem. Apparentle not.