Can the same antennae be used for an Am/Fm/ Stereo as a weather radio on a boat at the same time?

Question

Can the same antennae be used for an Am/Fm/ Stereo as a weather radio on a boat at the same time?

Answer 1

No.

Radio antennas are optimized when they are trimmed for the various band widths of different radio frequency bands.

AM, FM, and VHF are all different band widths. While AM & FM can work OK off one antenna, they are work best when used with individual antennas.

VHF weather frequencies will require their own antenna.

Answer 2

(I'm assuming your VHF/weather radio will have transmit capability as well.)

Yes it can, but the caveat here is that you require a switch, similar to:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path...

(This one is manufactured by Shakespeare)

to prevent blowing up your stereo.

As well, performance of your marine VHF will unlikely be quite as good as not having the switch installed. Separate antennas are the optimum solution of course, but if space is an issue, the single antenna and switch may provide an acceptable compromise.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes....a few companies make a VHF/AM-FM signal splitter. One good one is Shakespear...another is Uniden.

To be sure...separate antennas for each is best. Different modulation and different gains. But if you can live with COMPROMISE...the answer is available.

I get great FM from a rubber aftermarket car antenna stuffed in a cabinet on my boat...I don't like to mess with my masthead VHF...my life might depend on it some day. Think about that.

Answer 4

No they are not the same the weather radio is VHF and the Am-FM is just that. Good luck;)