Icom VHF/AIS Antennas

Icom sets the benchmark in marine radio, building dependable DSC VHF and AIS communication. This is the Icom vhf/ais antennas range: antennas tuned for VHF and AIS reception.

Browse the full Icom range or VHF/AIS Antennas from every brand.

Antenna gain, height and cable loss

VHF and AIS antennas are rated in decibel gain, and a higher-gain antenna concentrates its signal into a flatter radiation pattern, which extends range on a level keel but can actually reduce coverage on a boat that heels or rolls significantly, so a lower-gain antenna sometimes performs better under sail. Mounting height has at least as much effect on range as gain does, since VHF and AIS are line-of-sight, and a masthead position will usually outperform a taller antenna mounted lower down.

Cable run length and quality matter too: loss increases with cable length, so a long run from masthead to radio benefits from a lower-loss cable even if that means a larger diameter. A dedicated AIS antenna avoids the compromises of a splitter sharing one antenna between VHF and AIS, though a splitter remains a practical option where mast space or cable runs are limited and a second antenna is not practical.