My wife Tina and I will be leaving California next October, taking a year trip and making our new home in the U.S. Virgin Islands to work the boat in Day-Charter. I have learned alot from your books.
At your recommendation, I am buying the Furuno 207 weather fax. My local dealer says that I should not buy the optional amplified antenna coupler, but use a Metz whip antenna. I also recently bought a Sitex Navfax 200 SSB receiver and he sold me the Metz whip antenna, rather than the optional active antenna. He told me the sales reps have told him they work better than the active antennas. I have not installed it yet–which antenna do you use and what would you suggest for best reception for both of these units? I would appreciate any guidance you can offer.Thanks again, Frank
Hi Frank: We have used both the passive and amplified antenna. At present we have the amplified version. However, since we have not tried this set without I cannot tell you scientifically if it makes a difference. However, it does work well at present.
From a non-technical standpoint I will say that I think antenna length is a major issue. If you can work out a long wire, rather than a short whip, you will get better reception. If you are forced to use a whip, longer is better in weak areas.
In the West Indies you will get the fax station in New Orleans without difficulty. But Boston will very much depend on signal propagation, and it is in the marginal conditions where the bigger antenna, and/or the amplifier will help. Hope this helps–Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
