How do you know your VHF antenna is working well?  Leaving aside all those endless "radio check" calls to the coastguard on Ch16, it's difficult to be sure that your cable and antenna are in good health.  If they're not you may not be able to make contact when you need to.

Here are some tips from the makers of Shakespeare antennas, better known in the UK by the VTronix brand.  Some of the advice relates more to the US (e.g. using a distant VHF weather station), but the principles are the same.  There's also a description of a measuring/testing device you can install. 

Download the document here.

For UK availability of the ART-3 device described, a Google search on "Antenna radio tester" provides some options.

If you have experience of antenna problems, or you find the advice or equipment described here useful, why not share your experience with other LSC members by writing a blog (see here for help), or starting a disussion forum (click Member Forums in the menu, then Create new forum topic - if you need help email webeditor@littleshipclub.co.uk).