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VHF Antenna Location

S

ScottOwens

New member
I understand that the current Safety Equipment Requirements for Offshore Racing includes a requirement for a VHF Antenna at the top of my mast(3.8.1). Is there any possibility that an exemption could be made for boats like mine that have very skinny mastheads and don't want any cable interfering with halyards. I would of course install an antenna, but just not on my mast. If there is an exemption process, how do I start it?
 
Hi Scott,

Since race Organizing Authorities (like the SSS) are encouraged to modify the SER's as needed to suit their own races, I would file a waiver request with the SSS Board. If you were planning to race with OYRA you would need to submit a waiver request to them. I can't think of any other way to do it.
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I agree with Bob, I think you have to request it for each OA.
Locally, this would include OYRA, SSS & BAMA [Double Handed Farallones].
 
Or you can run the cable down the backstay, zip-tying it every foot or so. That's the setup I had for a few years until I had to pull the mast for some other reason.
 
Waivers are tricky things for OAs. Sort of like the "Genie in the bottle." Once the first is made it's hard to get the plug back in. Having a masthead antenna means more broadcast range and greater AIS range. If one is serious about ocean racing, especially distance ocean racing, more range is better, especially for AIS. Remember the arguments about waivers for small boats and lifelines? Or a Cessna-type life raft instead of one from Sal. Max's solution, although temporary, offers a good alternative - it worked on a Santana 22, too. However, I wonder about using that temporary arrangement for an Hawaiian race?
 
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