The 10 Best VHF Marine Antennas | Boating Buying Guides and Review

This review has been updated 15 times since it was first published in December of 2016. If you bought a high-quality radio for your boat, you’re also going to need an equally good VHF marine antenna to make the most of it. These units are more than just pieces of wire — they’re delicate machines. Because choosing the best model depends on a range of factors related to both radio and vessel, be sure to read your owner’s manual and consider both height and gain before you buy. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the review.

Editor's Choices

Best High-End

ebay auctions

Best Mid-Range

ebay auctions

Best Inexpensive

ebay auctions

Top 10 VHF Marine Antennas

10. Wholesale Tram 1610-HC

The Wholesale Tram 1610-HC is a five-foot, three-decibel model that comes with a convenient adapter plate for Sony products. It also provides you with a 17-foot coaxial cable and is made from the sturdy fiberglass that serious boaters expect.

9. Sirio SB 1S 100 Watt

The fiberglass tube of the Italian-made Sirio SB 1S 100 Watt can handle harsh sea environments, so you can position it atop the mast using the stainless-steel bracket and relax. It works on the lower part of the marine band without a ground plane.

8. Tram 1620 HC

A heavy-duty 8-footer, the Tram 1620 HC handles all marine-band frequencies and features a ratchet system, so you can easily lie it down. It offers high performance at 1,500 watts with a six-decibel gain, and includes a 15-foot coaxial cable.

7. Metz Manta-6

The U.S. Coast Guard chooses the Metz Manta-6 for good reason. It’s known to outperform traditional 54-inch, three-decibel-gain models, and it’s more durable, too, thanks to soldered connections and a stainless steel construction.

6. Shakespeare 5101 Centennial

The Shakespeare 5101 Centennial is a tall, high-quality model that offers a great value. Featuring brass and copper elements, a chrome-plated brass ferrule, and a high-gloss finish, this is a model that looks as good as it performs.

5. Air Wave Marine Fiberglass

The Air Wave Marine Fiberglass is a capable, five-foot selection that offers a no-splinter guarantee as well as an easy setup. Its ProConnect system makes installation as simple as drilling a single hole and attaching the included mount.

4. Shakespeare 5215 Classic AIS Squatty Body

The Shakespeare 5215 Classic AIS Squatty Body is a mast-mounted, 36-inch whip that offers excellent performance and is designed for AIS transceivers. It comes with an L-bracket for installation and a two-year limited warranty.

3. Shakespeare 6225-R Phase III

The Shakespeare 6225-R Phase III is one of the most well-built options on the market, boasting a silver-plated outer conductor and a length of eight feet. It provides a signal boost of up to six decibels, and its easy mounting sleeve allows you to take it down as you like.

2. Pacific Aerials P6182

The Pacific Aerials P6182 boasts the ability to be removed and remounted as necessary, making it a smart choice for those who want convenience and flexibility. Since the cable is hardwired to the mount, it’s exceptionally easy to install.

1. Shakespeare Galaxy 5225XT

Thanks to its high-sensitivity brass and copper components, the Shakespeare Galaxy 5225XT delivers exceptional range on large vessels. Its co-linear-phased elements and eight-foot height allow it to reach far over the horizon.

Buying Guides and Reviews

Top 10 Best Boat Covers in 2020

If you have a boat you are definitely willing to do whatever it takes to keep it looking new for an extended period of time.

Top 10 Best Kayak Car Rack in 2020

Just got a whole lot easier. That is because manufacturers have upgraded their kayak racks. Now you can get one of the top 10 best

Top 10 Best Kayak Carts in 2020

No matter you are hitting the water alone or with your partner, then it is important that you should choose one of the best kayak

This website is not affiliated, associated, authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way connected to the brands and companies mentioned on this website. All trademarks, copyrights, and other rights are the property of their respective owners. See Terms of Service for DMCA notices.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. All prices on this site may change and those considered valid are displayed on Amazon.com