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Now that Santa Clause brought me an extremely nice Bimini Top for my 22" Nautic Star Bay....I have to figure out how to have my Bimini up and still have a VHF antenna.....I currently have my 8' Shakespear antenna mounted to the right side grab rail that goes over and down the sides of my console.....it appears that with the bimini in the up position, there is no way that the antenna can stay in that location....what are some thoughts and ideas for a mounting location that will allow the bimini to be up, but not force me to relocate the antenna based on the bimini being up or down....

any input would be appreciated

Have same grab bar mounting setup as you do. I went with 3' stainless whip mounted as low as possible on vertical part of rail. Only sticks above rail by a few inches. Works fine for coastal fishing. Never had any range issues. Left extra cable inside console. Have piece of PVC that rides in horizontal rod holder (keeps it out of my way) to use if emergency dictates more antenna height needed or if I go offshore. Can put PVC in vertical rod holder on side of console and unscrew antenna base and attach base to PVC (extra cable in console is for this purpose). You can even buy an extension (same principal) pre-made for this purpose instead of making your own.

DEMON wrote:have a piece of PVC that rides in horizontal rod holder (keeps it out of my way) to use if emergency dictates more antenna height needed or if I go offshore. Can put PVC in vertical rod holder on side of console and unscrew antenna base and attach base to PVC (extra cable in console is for this purpose). You can even buy an extension (same principal) pre-made for this purpose instead of making your own.

That's a great idea....I'm stealing that one.... I too went with the 3' stainless steel whip mounted to the grab rail around the console on a fold down bracket... but with the t-top, the transmit distance is drastically reduced.

I am set up the same way and keep zip ties to mount it to the pole if in an emergancy the question is would you have time to do it.
My pvc push pole is at least 10' I sould be able to talk a good ways.

Slayer is running an Evinrude, so he won't be breaking down.

Sorry you Yammers and Mercs, couldn't resist.