5 Best Marine VHF Antennas Reviewed

---

Installing a VHF antenna is an excellent way to add value to your vessel’s communication system. That said, you'll need to make sure you have an antenna that's reliable, sturdy, and suitable for your specific radio system. 

A marine VHF antenna will help improve the transmission quality of your radio. It helps connect your vessel to the rest of the planet. 

Luckily, there's a vast array of high-quality VHF antennas available. However, so many options can make finding the best one for your setup tricky. Continue below for a detailed review of the best marine VHF antennas available. 

---

 

 

---

1. Best Overall/Editor's Choice - MARINE-100 BASE ANTENNA 

 

Since you will use your marine VHF antenna on the water, you need one that's reliable and not easily damaged by water or weather. That's where the Marine-100 Base Antenna comes in handy. Not only is it incredibly lightweight, but it comes equipped with weather and waterproof properties. 

It can handle transmissions of up to 100 Watts of power which is more than enough to handle the legal transmission limit of 25 Watts.  The frequency range is 156-163MHz which covers all of the International ship and shore VHF marine frequencies. What more do you need from an antenna that comes in at Great Price - it is one of the cheaper antenna’s in our review.

The antenna is 122 cm long, making it easy to attach and manoeuvre while out on the water. It's suitable for a mast size of 30-40mm and can clamp right into your existing mast if you already have the clamps.

This is the perfect antenna for most marine users, designed to transmit and receive marine frequencies without the need to tune, it has more than sufficient power handling, optimum size and over 4dBi of gain.  All for a great price! 

 

Shop Now

 

---

2. Best Performance - MARINE-500 BASE ANTENNA

 

If performance is your top priority, the Marine-500 Base Antenna is worth checking out. It boasts superior optimisation for high gain and higher performance, more than other VHF antennas in our review. For starters, it has a length of 225cm, over 100cm longer than the Marine-100 Base model.

As for durability, the antenna is also weather-resistant and waterproof, so you don't need to worry about the general wear and tear as you sail. 

The Marine-500 is compatible with a mast of 30-40mm. You can clamp it onto your existing mast if you already have the clamps set up.

What makes this antenna different to the others in this review is its size.  As they say, the bigger the better and at 225cm long this gives the antenna an impressive 6.5dBI gain.  If you are worried about performance and are going to be a long way off shore then this is the antenna for you.

 

Shop Now

 

---

3. Best ‘Mast Type’ Antenna - SIRIO SB2/S MARINE ANTENNA

 

The Sirio SB2/S Marine Antenna is exceptionally sturdy and functional. It's wholly omnidirectional and can work without connecting to a ground plane. As a result, it offers more protection against DC static discharges. 

The stainless steel bracket looks stunning and is incredibly easy to attach to your vessel.  The stainless steel whip design gives you great flexibility and for many marine VHF radio users the stainless steel whip antenna design is preferred to the more rigid fibreglass designed antennas.

It's pretty short compared to other models, with a length of only 105cm and this does impact upon the antennas dBi gain at just 2.15dBI. That said many people prefer a smaller antenna and anything over 2dBi gain is more than adequate for most scenarios.  

And we shouldn't forget that this antenna is made in Italy by Sirio a well known established manufacturer.  You will not be disappointed with the antenna's build quality.

 

Shop Now

 

---

4. Best Antenna Kit - SIRIO SB 3 M - MARINE ANTENNA (WITH 5M CABLE)

 

 

If you're looking for a more jagged antenna that can withstand intense weather and water conditions, look no further than the Sirio SB 3 M - Marine Antenna. It comes equipped with many valuable features, including vertical linear polarisation, omnidirectional radiation, and a 100W power capacity.

The build is a sturdy construction that consists of brass, nylon, and fibreglass. As a result, you'll never need to worry about rough water or weather damaging the antenna or hindering its performance. You also get complete DC grounding protection. 

With a height of 148cm, this antenna is relatively compact compared to other models. Mounting it is straightforward, considering it only weighs 750g.

Again, this antenna is made in Italy by Sirio so you will not be disappointed with the antenna's build quality.  Its unique pivot design will also come in handy should you get yourself into a tricky situation and need to lower the antenna for any reason.

 

Shop Now

 

---

5. Best Compact Antenna – MARINE-350 BASE ANTENNA

Not every antenna needs to be massive to function and offer outstanding performance. The Marine-350 Base Antenna is a perfect example. 

Although this antenna is on the smaller side, it can still handle 50 Watts of power and provides 2.5 dBi of gain which is very impressive given its compact size.

The stainless steel mounting bracket is incredibly durable and can easily mount to your mast using pre-fixed holes. However, the fixings aren't part of the purchase, so you’ll have to get them separately. 

The high-quality design will help to ensure that your signal is strong and clear. It’s a compact antenna that won't break easily, even when put under extreme weather conditions like you'd expect while boating.

One area where this antenna falls short is the 2.5dBi gain which is less gain than you will get from larger antennas.  However, over 2 dBi of gain is more than sufficient for most situations especially if you are not going to be too far away from the shore.  But what makes this antenna great is its compact high-quality design.  It is compact and easy to handle. The entire antenna is only 164mm and weighs just under 212g.

 

Shop Now

 

---

What to Look for When Buying a Marine VHF Antenna

A marine VHF antenna can be a lifesaver in a dangerous situation. Know what to look for so that you can sail the seas with reliable equipment and clear transmission. 

Antenna Height and Gain

Height and gain are essential factors to consider before investing in a marine VHF antenna. You'll need to find an antenna suitable for your needs and to some extent the size of your vessel. 

For example, let's say you have a boat that's over 32 feet long. In that case, ideally you should be choosing a larger antenna because you will have the space and it wont look out of place.  Choosing an antenna that’s over 200cm will give you great performance and over 6dB of gain.  Great if you are far out at sea and want reliable communication.

For smaller boats you will probably want to look at the smaller antennas. Many vessels smaller than 24 feet would probably opt for an antenna that is around 100cm in length with 2-3dB gain.

For extremely large boats, you will probably be looking at antenna’s over 300cm with over 8dB gain.  

In short, you should choose an antenna that fits the size of your vessel. 

Gain is vital because the higher the dB, the more radiated power you'll get. In other words, your antenna will have a much greater range for communication with other ships. 

That said, there is a use for antennas with a lower dB gain. In a small sailboat, you won't need the same radiated power as a larger fishing vessel. In that case, an antenna with around 2dB gain would be sufficient. You'll still get a strong signal pattern that will be sufficient for most scenarios, but your range won't be as far. 

Durability

The lifespan of an antenna can range from 3 to 30 years, depending on the material and how well you take care of it. Most reputable marine VHF antennas will offer UV protection to minimise sun damage. They are also typically made from durable materials, such as fibreglass and stainless steel. These materials are highly resistant to weather corrosion and water damage. 

You can take better care of your antenna by giving it a thorough wash with soap and water every time you wash your vessel. Wax can also help protect the antenna without interfering with the signal or hindering its function. 

A dependable marine VHF antenna should have durable connecting points, too. These need to be resistant to corrosion and general wear and tear. You can expect less maintenance and better functionality for several years with a robust design. 

Price

Price is always an important factor to consider when buying anything, and it's no different for marine VHF antennas. Numerous things can influence the price of an antenna, so it's vital you know what to look out for when comparing similarly priced items. 

The more obvious factor is length. Longer antennas will generally cost more than shorter ones. However, longer antennas might not suit your vessel. Your best route is to look for an appropriate length that sits within your price range.

The materials used will also be a significant influencer of the cost of your marine VHF stick. The more materials used, the more you can expect to pay. That's because the construction process is much more complicated, justifying the higher price tag. 

However, price shouldn't be the only thing you consider when looking at VHF antennas. You should try to find one within your budget, but that doesn't mean you should only go for the cheapest option available. 

Remember, this antenna will be your lifeline of communication when you're out on the water. You'll want something reliable and long-lasting. Buying one made from cheaper materials may seem like a good idea at first, but it could come back to bite you in the future. 

---

Why Are Marine VHF Antennas Important?

High-quality marine VHF antennas are in demand for good reasons. There are numerous benefits to upgrading the antenna on your vessel, including:

Better Sound Quality

Having around the clock clear sound quality is vital for marine vessels, as communication is necessary at all times. You also never need to repeat yourself when transmitting to other ships or a harbour master when the sound is clear on the receiving end. 

Reduced Radio Interference

Radio interference is something most boat owners dread while out on the water. A good quality marine VHF antenna that is pre-tuned will help minimise unwanted radio interference. 

Better Performance

You may find that your marine radio communication set-up isn't delivering to your needs and that the signal quality is poor.  

Firstly, make sure that your antenna has a good connection to your radio and that you are using good quality cable and connections.  Secondly, consider whether a better quality antenna is needed.  Remember the bigger the better.  But only buy an antenna from a quality and recognised brand.  There are lot’s of poor quality designs on the market with questionable performance specifications.

Boaters normally mount radios within the legal limit of 25 watts and, depending on the height of the antenna, can reach communication distances as far as 60m/100km or more.  So for the marine radio user that needs that extra bit of distance, given the legal limit restrictions on a radio’s transmitting power, they will need a larger antenna to give them that extra few miles/km.

Perfect for Boating

The only main drawback of VHF antennas for marine radio communication is that they don't do well indoors where the signals need to penetrate through walls. However, this shouldn't matter for marine applications!

Enables Worldwide Communication

Marine VHF radio is a worldwide system of 2-way communication to enable you to communicate on the waters either vessel to vessel or vessel to shore.  It operates on VHF radio frequencies in the range of 156-164 MHz.  These are international marine bands and VHF marine antennas are designed to work at these specific frequencies.  

Transmitting power is limited to 25 Watts so the quality and performance of you VHF marine antenna is key.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size VHF Antenna Do I Need for My Boat?

The ideal VHF antenna size for your boat depends on its length and communication needs. Vessels 16' to 25' typically use an 8' antenna suitable for VHF and weather frequencies up to 162 MHz. Larger boats may benefit from longer antennas that offer more gain, ensuring clear, extended communication range.

Does the Length of a VHF Antenna Matter?

Yes, the length of a VHF antenna does matter. Longer antennas generally have higher gain, which means they can enhance signal strength more effectively. This allows the antenna to transmit signals over greater distances and with less power loss, making it ideal for clearer and more reliable communication.

---

Conclusion

Marine VHF antennas are an important element of your marine radio communications set up.

Before making your antenna decision, make sure you consider important factors, such as price, ease of use, durability, length, and performance statistics. Doing so will ensure you get the best antenna for your vessel. 

If you're looking for more information about marine antenna options, shop our selection of marine antennas at Moonraker. We have multiple marine antenna options and provide competitive shipping prices.

---

For more information please visit our online store or alternatively contact us and our team will be happy to assist you.