Loran Antenna question

Flyin By · 12-12-2007, 10:32 PM

I am getting back a Loran unit sold on my old boat. The guy who bought it became a good friend and is shipping it back minus the whip antenna. The question is: will any regular fiberglass cb antenna work correct or not? I had a 6' when it went but could recieve even when it was down, to me that means a 4' should do the job. Afriend put a 6' CB antenna on his and it works fine. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks..Bill

Colonel Klink · 12-13-2007, 04:34 PM

If your loran is like the ones I have or have had in the past, a standard whip ant. is fine as long as it is accompanied with a coupler. The coupler is the bulbous part that the antenna screws into. That very part is the only thing that has ever failed on my Northstar 800 that has been on my boat the 17 years I have owned it. The Apelco loran that came with the boat I just bought also has a coupler on the antenna. I took it off of the boat; if your loran is an Apelco you are welcome to it.

RiskTaker · 12-14-2007, 01:36 AM

Flyin By:

Normally you have to tune your antenna so that you receive the maximum strength signal from the frequency range of interest.

Your Loran-C operates at a carrier frequency of 100 KHz, whereas citizens band operates in the bandwidth from 26.9xx Mhz - 27.4xx Mhz. Certainly your whip antenna will pick up the RF energy, but it may be too weak for you to get satisfactory performance, without a little bit of tuning. You will likely need that bulbous thing-a-ma-bobber to accentuate the 100Khz frequency of interest. ie. tuned to the Q point., and attenuate the rest of the undesired frequency bands.

Try getting the Loran-C antenna tuner/coupler from Colonel Klink and you should be fine. I have never tried just slapping any antenna onto a Loran unit, but who knows you could just get lucky. But you should probably be a bit more careful when venturing offshore.

Flyin By · 12-14-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Klink

If your loran is like the ones I have or have had in the past, a standard whip ant. is fine as long as it is accompanied with a coupler. The coupler is the bulbous part that the antenna screws into. That very part is the only thing that has ever failed on my Northstar 800 that has been on my boat the 17 years I have owned it. The Apelco loran that came with the boat I just bought also has a coupler on the antenna. I took it off of the boat; if your loran is an Apelco you are welcome to it.

Yes, my unit is a Apelco and I do have the coupler. I just found an antenna on line but was told of the cb antenna use. Thanks to all for the info. CK If you are ever up this way I would take you up on the extra part. Thanks again.. Bill

12-12-2007, 10:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flyin By Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sebastian, FL Boat: 29' Hydra-Sports CC two F225 Yams and lots of toys Occupation: School Resource Officer Posts: 220	Loran Antenna question I am getting back a Loran unit sold on my old boat. The guy who bought it became a good friend and is shipping it back minus the whip antenna. The question is: will any regular fiberglass cb antenna work correct or not? I had a 6' when it went but could recieve even when it was down, to me that means a 4' should do the job. Afriend put a 6' CB antenna on his and it works fine. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks..Bill __________________ "When the Lights go off, its time to play"

12-14-2007, 01:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,971	You should probably get your antenna from Col. Klink. Flyin By: Normally you have to tune your antenna so that you receive the maximum strength signal from the frequency range of interest. Your Loran-C operates at a carrier frequency of 100 KHz, whereas citizens band operates in the bandwidth from 26.9xx Mhz - 27.4xx Mhz. Certainly your whip antenna will pick up the RF energy, but it may be too weak for you to get satisfactory performance, without a little bit of tuning. You will likely need that bulbous thing-a-ma-bobber to accentuate the 100Khz frequency of interest. ie. tuned to the Q point., and attenuate the rest of the undesired frequency bands. Try getting the Loran-C antenna tuner/coupler from Colonel Klink and you should be fine. I have never tried just slapping any antenna onto a Loran unit, but who knows you could just get lucky. But you should probably be a bit more careful when venturing offshore.

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12-13-2007, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Colonel Klink Lines In Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 96	If your loran is like the ones I have or have had in the past, a standard whip ant. is fine as long as it is accompanied with a coupler. The coupler is the bulbous part that the antenna screws into. That very part is the only thing that has ever failed on my Northstar 800 that has been on my boat the 17 years I have owned it. The Apelco loran that came with the boat I just bought also has a coupler on the antenna. I took it off of the boat; if your loran is an Apelco you are welcome to it.

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