Marine Antenna

Marine antennas are of different types and each one is necessary for each receiving and/or transmitting device on the boat.

Normally, the larger the vessel, the higher the number of antennas present, as the higher the number of receiving and/or transmitting devices that must be present on the vessel.

The shapes that an antenna can take are also manifold. The range goes from the VHF stylus antennas to the small domes for the TV antenna, and then go on to the larger radar antennas and then continue with the various satellite antennas including the majestic INMARSAT antennas.

Other antennas are often housed directly in the device, as in the case of portable VHF, EPIRB and SART, because these are normally portable devices that must try to operate independently.

All marine antennas are usually marinated and watertight. Marinizing is carried out by insulating any electronic boards and protecting the active elements. The water protection is provided by special enclosures or protections of variable shape and size depending on the antenna.

Antennas often found on small boats

• FM/AM antenna. For receiving FM/AM broadcasts from your marine stereo.
• VHF/DSC. For the transmission and reception of marine VHF or integrated DSC, if any.
• GPS. Often it's inside the device.
• TV. It is usually dome shaped and is omnidirectional to receive 360° stations without the need for orientation.

Antennas often present on medium boats

In addition to those found on small boats:

• AIS. The use of AIS is increasing, so is the presence of its antenna. Often the VHF antenna is used instead, but an antenna calibrated specifically for the AIS frequency offers slightly better performance.
• WiFi. Especially for those who are stationed inside a port and need to amplify the signals coming from the marina.
• Multiband. To amplify all signals from mobile phone and WiFi cells.
• Satellite TV. In substantial decrease due to the evolution of digital terrestrial.
• Radar. It can be of the open type with the classic rotating blades or closed (radome) with a dome that wraps around the blades.

Antennas commonly found on large boats

In addition to those found on medium sized boats:

• HF. Used in the GMDSS mode for the A3 area it is usually in stylus, but normally longer than the VHF.
• INMARSAT. They are divided by the type of standard to which they are addressed, those of type "A" are larger and shaped like a large dome, those for type "C", "M" and "Mini M" can also have small dimensions.