VHF Radio Installation
A fixed VHF radio is your main safety link at sea, and a DSC distress call is only as good as the antenna, cable and GPS connection behind it. We carry out VHF radio installation on sailing and motor boats, from the set itself to the antenna, coax and data connections.
Many weak VHF signals come down to the installation: a tired coax run, a corroded connector at the mast foot or an antenna mounted too low. Those are the parts we pay most attention to.
We work from Shoreham Airport and fit radios aboard at the berth, Brighton to Southampton.
Fixed VHF and DSC
A fixed set gives far more transmit power and range than a handheld. With DSC, a single button sends a distress alert with your position, provided the radio has a GPS feed and is programmed with your MMSI. We connect GPS from the chartplotter over NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000, or confirm the set's internal GPS, and check the position shows correctly. You arrange your licence and MMSI with the licensing authority.
Antennas and coax
On a yacht the antenna usually goes at the masthead for the best range, with coax down the mast and through a sealed deck connection. Motor boats often use a rail or arch mount. Low-loss coax and well-made, weatherproofed connectors keep the power going to the antenna rather than lost in the cable. An emergency antenna on the pushpit gives a backup if the mast is lost.
- Masthead, arch or rail antenna mounting
- Low-loss coax with sealed connectors and deck glands
- Emergency backup antenna
Sharing an antenna with AIS
AIS works on VHF frequencies, so a splitter lets the VHF and AIS share one masthead antenna. Some radios have a built-in AIS receiver. We wire the splitter, power it correctly and test both transmit and receive.
Marine electronics installation
Remote handsets and cockpit speakers
A second station or wireless handset in the cockpit means you can answer a call without leaving the helm. A cockpit speaker helps you hear calls under way. We route the cabling neatly and keep it clear of other noisy circuits.
Testing and handover
Once installed we check the power supply, GPS position and antenna system, and show you the DSC controls. If the radio worked once but has become weak, we test the coax and connectors before suggesting a new set. Written quote first.
Upgrading an older radio
Older sets without DSC, or with DSC never connected to a GPS, are worth upgrading. A modern radio can be fitted in the same position in many cases, reusing a sound antenna and coax after testing, while a worn cable is replaced at the same time. Some newer sets also offer a built-in AIS receiver or a wireless handset, which can simplify the chart table.
If you are adding AIS or a new chartplotter as well, planning the data network for all three at once keeps the wiring neat and avoids duplicated GPS sources.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a VHF antenna be mounted?
As high as practical. On a yacht that is usually the masthead; on a motor boat, an arch or rail mount.
Does my VHF need a GPS connection?
For DSC distress alerts to include your position, yes, unless the set has its own GPS.
Can VHF and AIS share an antenna?
Yes, with a suitable splitter, or a radio with a built-in AIS receiver.
Why is my VHF range poor?
Common causes are damaged coax, corroded connectors or a low antenna. We test the antenna system before replacing the radio.
Make sure your VHF can be heard
Send the boat details, where it is kept and what you have in mind, and we will come back with the next step and a written quote.