AM/FM Radio Antennae ?

[Scubado]

I had the radio stolen out of my 2000 22ZX right after I bought it. I've just purchased a replacement stereo system and was wondering what they do for radio antennae in boat applications. I didn't see any wires for one in the wiring harness. Am I missing it? Do boat stereos come with some kind of internal antennae? I called the local car stereo place and they said that they usually just throw a whip inside the gunwale or install something externally...

Thanks,
Jeff

[Dave98]

My radio had terrible reception at the lake. I bought a new radio with a CD player and weather band. The reception was worse, especially when trying to pull in the weather band. I had a small plastic whip thrown in behind the original unit.

I went and bought a standard steel retractable (could have been power retractable but I did not want the expense or the mechanical problems). I installed beside the dash. When it is retracted it is about 1/4 inch high. Hardly noticeable. It works very well in the retracted position but sometimes I need to extend it to receive the WX band. The key is the verticle install. Antenna's need a verticle plane to receive effectively (for am/fm radios!)

Hope this helps.

Dave

[MOP]

Dave is 100% right, one of our boat lines came with antennas horizontal in the gunnel. After quite a few complaints they gave in and paid us to move them behind the forward bulkhead. We mounted them with plastic clamps and extended them as much as the height allowed which was about 2/3 they worked very well and kept the antenna hidden and out of the salt spray.

[Scubado]

So, does Donzi mount an antannae somewhere that I can tap into?

[MOP]

Do a search on Marine AM FM antennas there are some nice choices even rubber whip styles, that may let you sneak it in some place out of sight.

[springs]

My 22's antenna is made of wire similar to the old television antenna wire. The center wire is mounted under the deck from the dash to the bow and another perpendicular about halfway between the dash and bow. It's reception is better than the radio in my truck. It's the only one I've ever seen.

[mikev]

i have one thats i think 5 or 6 feet with one of the spring looking coils about half way down the mast, its suppposed to boost the signal. I just laid it in the gunwale and it works great I think i paid like $10.00 for it at walmart. when i bought the boat it had a regular mast type in the same spot and it didntwork worth a flip.

[McGary911]

When I bought my boat, it had a 10" whip mounted near the port stern. Not the most asthetic (sp?) solution, but I get great reception. That may have to be moved one of these days, but for now, it is what it is.

Only problem is that every station sounds like a 502 with open exhaust? wink

[Scubado]

Thanks for the information guys! Has anyone tried this style of antannae???
http://www.donzi.net/photos/jleipham009.jpg

They call it a "soft antannae" maybe it needs a little viagra? :p It costs about $7.00 It seems like the simplest solution, just plug it in. No mounting hardware. I'm suspicous about the quality of reception I'll get with this. Has anyone tried anything like it? I'll have to order it in, there are none in stock here...

[florida gator]

Saw one in West Marine this week. It sticks to the glass on your windshield. Works alot lie the ones they used to (and I believe some manufacturers are going back to) install in the gass on autos. Seemed very simple to install. Cost I believe somewhere around $40.

[McGary911]

Saw one in West Marine this week. It sticks to the glass on your windshield.I have this one on my big boat, and it works great. I just dont know how well it would work\look on something as nice as a Donzi. Vertical glass area works best for me.

[MOP]

That stick on may be the hot ticket, it could be stuck vertically to the inside of the hull out of sight. Many of the smaller boats come through with the antennas mounted inside the boat and work just fine.