Marine VHF antenna system and method

In a VHF radio installation aboard a sailboat including a mast, deck, and backstay the improvement which comprises:

• a VHF antenna system and a VHF transceiver,
• said VHF antenna system including,
• an elongated flexible plastic extrusion defined by a peripheral surface, an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a main body portion integral with said end portions,
• said extrusion containing a first internal longitudinal cylindrical channel of substantially uniform diameter extending substantially along the entire length of said extrusion,
• a first longitudinal opening corresponding in length to said first channel through said peripheral surface into said channel, the width of said first opening being less than the diameter of said first channel,
• a coaxial cable extending internally of said extrusion along the length thereof and having an upper end and a lower end,
• said extrusion extending along and being supported upon said backstay by said first channel encircling said backstay with said lower end portion located proximal of said deck and said upper end portion located distal of said deck,
• a VHF radiation unit supported along said backstay at least in part by said upper end portion of said extrusion,
• said VHF radiation unit being electrically connected to said upper end of said coaxial cable and
• said VHF transceiver being electrically connected to said lower end of said coaxial cable.

In a method of assembling a VHF antenna for a sailboat including a mast, deck and backstay, the improved combination of steps which comprise:

• providing an elongated flexible plastic extrusion defined by a peripheral surface, an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a main body portion integral with said end portions, said extrusion containing:
• a first internal longitudinal cylindrical channel of substantially uniform diameter extending substantially along the entire length of said extrusion, and
• a first longitudinal opening corresponding in length to said first channel through said peripheral surface into said channel, the width of said first opening being less than the diameter of said first channel, and
• a coaxial cable extending internally of said extrusion along the length thereof and having an upper end and a lower end, providing a VHF radiation unit,
• mounting said VHF radiation unit on said backstay by manipulation from said deck to permit it to slide along said backstay without falling off,
• electrically connecting said VHF radiation unit to said upper end of said coaxial cable,
• installing said extrusion behind said VHF radiation unit on said backstay by threading said backstay progressively into said first longitudinal opening so said backstay is progressively enclosed by said first channel, and
• continuing said installing while simultaneously pushing said VHF radiation unit up said backstay by said upper end portion of said extrusion until said first channel of said extrusion is completely filled with said backstay.