VHF/Am/Fm Splitter

[thomm225]

So the PO had installed a VHF/AM/FM Splitter on the boat years ago but the 1990's radio finally failed a few years back

It sure would be nice to have though especially when offshore to pickup various news reports even weather in areas that could be helpful.

The splitter has the standard radio antenna jack.

Is there an AM/FM radio available that has a connection for this besides an old vehicle radio? I have both DC and AC power onboard.

A vehicle radio would work though if I had the schematic for the harness. These days it seems they are all plug and play for vehicles whereas if I install on the boat it will be just power, speakers, and antenna.

[ranger58sb]

Not sure I understand the question, but...

Our Sony car stereo/radio/CD player on the bridge accepts AM/FM radio frequencies from our Glomex "TV" antenna. There's a Glomex TV-radio splitter just after the antenna.

Nothing special Sony unit, CDX-GT700HD, a few years old. I don't remember the antenna connector type, and the manual is silent on that point.

-Chris

[hoolie]

I recently replaced our old CD drive auto radio with a USB/SD version. It has an industry standard rear connector but was supplied with a plug with flying leads. No problem at all to connect power, speakers and a standard (motorola?) antenna connector. It took me longer to figure out a way of stopping it falling out of its mounting!

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Is there an AM/FM radio available that has a connection for this besides an old vehicle radio? I have both DC and AC power onboard.

I can't imagine why any marine AM/FM radio wouldn't have an antenna input. Have you any specific models in mind, and if so have you checked their manuals?

[tkeithlu]

You've got so many ways to skin this cat that it's hard to know where to start.

Portable AM/FM radios have their own antennas, and are cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RF-...8495041&sr=8-1

Better ones have antenna connections.

VHF antennas are a bit short for 100 MHz (They are 155 MHz), but will do the job and are cheap.

Splitting onto just about any antenna you've got will work for reception - you are not trying to transmit.

We use a work site radio for this sort of thing - a bit more rugged and AC/DC.

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-LB-10...s%2C257&sr=8-7

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by hoolie

I recently replaced our old CD drive auto radio with a USB/SD version. It has an industry standard rear connector but was supplied with a plug with flying leads. No problem at all to connect power, speakers and a standard (motorola?) antenna connector. It took me longer to figure out a way of stopping it falling out of its mounting!

Thanks, I think one of those might work.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I can't imagine why any marine AM/FM radio wouldn't have an antenna input. Have you any specific models in mind, and if so have you checked their manuals?

Ha!

Nice. I guess I have lived a sheltered life as far as electronics on boats. I've never been on a well equipped boat and actually looked at all the electronics.

I've owned around 12-13 boats, and this one is the first with any electronics on it at all. They had no depth finder, no radio, no compass even.

I was usually within 15-16 miles of shore on these boats though. (6 old power boats 1960-70's vintage, Dinghy sailboat, 16'6" kayak, four 16'-20' Beach cats for racing, and this old Bristol 27

A marine AM/FM Radio sounds perfect!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

You've got so many ways to skin this cat that it's hard to know where to start.

Portable AM/FM radios have their own antennas, and are cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RF-...8495041&sr=8-1

Better ones have antenna connections.

VHF antennas are a bit short for 100 MHz (They are 155 MHz), but will do the job and are cheap.

Splitting onto just about any antenna you've got will work for reception - you are not trying to transmit.

We use a work site radio for this sort of thing - a bit more rugged and AC/DC.

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-LB-10...s%2C257&sr=8-7

Thanks.

Good ideas.

That portable rugged radio might just do the trick

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by thomm225

A marine AM/FM Radio sounds perfect!

Mostly "marine" not even required. Many builders just stick in their favorite Sony, Panasonic, Fusion, whatever car stereo unit. I think they all rack mount in a standard cage...

Check big box stores, not expensive...

Sometimes the counterpart speakers are more "marine" than car, slightly better water/rain/mist handling... and mix 'n' match works...

If it helps, our speakers are also Sony, XS-MP1621W (i.e., white), matched reasonably well to the output of the radio model I mentioned.

-Chris

[thomm225]

Thanks.

I was thinking I needed a radio I could connect to the VHF antenna splitter for better reception but as mentioned above I'm not going to be transmitting so any decent portable AM/FM radio would probably work fine

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by thomm225

That portable rugged radio might just do the trick

For our small boat, I chose a portable - SANGEAN PR-D5. AM/FM stereo, nice sound, good reception. You can plug an ipod or phone into it to play tunes. I can bring it out when we're in the cockpit or ashore, use it at home over the winter. I have a DC-DC adaptor to run it from boat 12v.

[thomm225]

That one looks good also. Thanks.