Location for antenna for FA50

[Anonymous]

Just received my FA50 today. 3 years ago while commissioning the boat I ran a spare cable for a AIS future installation. The other is my VHF radio. Looks like using the second cable at the top of my mast is out as it is separated by only 1 foot. Being a single mast sail boat it seems like any other location will be shadowed by the mast. Do you have any suggestions.

Thanks in advance. Jack

 

[Johnny Electron]

Better to have some mast shadowing than to damage your AIS and VHF radio by having them too close together. 1 foot separation WILL damage them.

 

[Anonymous]

Got it.

What MHz should I be looking for in the antenna for the FA50.

 

[Johnny Electron]

The whip antenna needs to rated for AIS. A normal VHF wont due for a transponder.
AIS transponders use two different frequencies, (161.975 MHz), (162.025 MHz). The FA50, unlike lower cost units has two receivers to watch both freqs rather than switching back and forth.