VHF/AIS Antennas
VHF & AIS Marine Antennas for Boats
VHF and AIS antennas for boats from Glomex, Shakespeare and Icom, in a range of lengths and mounting styles, plus antenna extensions and adaptors. They connect to VHF radios and AIS transceivers. Check each product page for length, gain and connector.
Choosing the right antenna: Part of our AIS & VHF range. Mounts are in our Seaview range. To share one antenna between VHF and AIS, use an antenna splitter. Coaxial cable is in cables and accessories. Tell us your boat and radio and we'll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Does antenna height affect VHF range?
Yes. VHF works roughly line of sight, so a masthead antenna usually reaches further than one on a rail.
Can my VHF and AIS share one antenna?
Yes, with an antenna splitter or an AIS unit that has a built-in splitter.
Which cable should I use?
Use low-loss coaxial cable and keep the run as short as you can. Ask us if you're unsure which suits your antenna.
Antenna length, gain and cable loss
A longer VHF whip generally gives better range, but only if it can be mounted high and kept vertical: on a sailing yacht that usually means the masthead, on a powerboat a rail or arch mount with a shorter antenna often performs just as well in practice. AIS antennas are typically shorter and lower gain than VHF, reflecting the shorter range AIS is designed for, and the two should not simply be swapped for one another.
Cable choice matters as much as the antenna itself: signal loss increases with cable length, so a long run from a masthead antenna down to the radio needs a low-loss cable rather than a thinner, cheaper one, and every extra connector in the run adds a small amount of loss. Where deck space is tight, a splitter lets VHF and AIS share one antenna, though a dedicated antenna for each will usually perform better.
