Weatherproof & Marine Antennas:

Marine antennas are weatherproof antennas that are specifically used in a marine setting. This could be:

• Coastal
• In-shore
• Open sea
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Canals

They are designed and manufactured to be able to withstand conditions where the antenna is likely to be exposed to water, sunlight, and humidity as well as other adverse environmental exposures that are capable of aging or frankly damaging an antenna.

Marine antennas are essential for communication and connectivity while on open water and are designed to remain operable in a moisture-saturated environment where salt air, UV-exposure, wind, and rough conditions cause antennas to corrode quickly. They also have to be able to withstand impacts and jolts that inevitably occur due to the vessel traversing rolling waves. Like weatherproof antennas, the materials used are strong and impact resistant.

Marine antennas are typically mounted high on the mast of vessels, and so require strong materials and structural reinforcement to remain functional for a prolonged period.

• VHF radio antennas are required, at a minimum, for VHF radio communication which is the standard frequency band for vessels of all sizes. VHF antennas will be needed for both mast mounted and handheld communication.
• Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) antennas also use marine VHF channels and make boats universally identifiable to other vessels.

Many boats, yachts, and ships will also carry cellular, GPS, and WiFi marine antennas onboard too and can be retrofitted to harness these technologies.

These outdoor antennas are available across a range of antenna types and frequencies as listed below, but are consistent in their superior longevity and performance in an marine setting. By selecting a weatherproof antenna the performance of a radio system or wireless network can be protected from costly downtime and the frequent replacement of corroded antennas.

They are ruggedized and use durable water and corrosion-resistant materials throughout their structure as well as being well-sealed and waterproof. These antennas usually utilize tough plastics and fiberglass for their radome, while the inner resonant elements of the antenna are made from corrosion-resistant metals like brass and plated with inert metals like silver. To protect the antenna from impacts the radome may also be lined and filled with foam. Antenna cables and 50-Ohm connectors for these weather-resistant antennas are selected for their fatigue resistance and are protected from environmental exposure using O-ring seals.

RoHS and Conflict Minerals regulation-compliant marine antennas and weatherproof antennas.

Our selection of high quality weatherproof and marine antennas are built to the highest standards of fabrication with materials of good provenance and quality. All of our antennas are supplied, distributed, and retailed in line with relevant national and international legislation including:

• Directive 2002/95/EC, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, is European Union legislation that limits the use of several hazardous materials in electrical and electronic products (EEE).
• The Conflict Minerals Regulation (2021) is another EU law that proscribes the use of Gold, Tin, Tungsten, and Tantalum (metals that are widely used in the electronics industry) from sources that are linked to conflict and forced labor.
• Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act is a piece of domestic legislation that also deals with the use of the 3TG (Tungsten, Tin, Tantalum, and Gold) metals in electronics.

Materials used in marine antennas

The higher-end fiberglass and steel waterproof / weatherproof antennas, being resistant to rust and corrosion, along with their strength, durability and flexibility, make them ideal for long length rod antennas mounted vertically. They are commonly used in marine applications.

• Fiberglass  The antenna wire is wound inside a fiberglass rod to protect it from corrosion. Unlike pure metal fiberglass is not corroded by sea water, making it suitable for marine applications.   Fiberglass is a material made of thermal set plastic reinforced with woven glass fibers. Fiberglass has a high tensile strength, with good chemical and heat resistant properties ideal for weatherproofing electrical equipment. In addition, fiberglass has a low dielectric constant, and low moisture gain.
• Stainless steel is used to make parts of fiberglass antennas rust resistant, and to make the mounts for marine antennas resistant to rust and sea water corrosion. Stainless steel is a corrosion resistant alloy of steel doped with 10% Nickel and at least 18% Chromium. The Chromium forms a thin invisible layer of complex chromium oxide when exposed to air on the surface of the alloy. This layer prevents any further oxidation and any corrosion. Chromium is responsible for the stainless steel’s luster and rust resistance. The Nickel adds strength to the alloy.
• Polyurethane foam is used to add additional insulation and impact protection to marine antennas. Injected expanded foams are closed cell and hydrophobic as well as being permeable to radio signals.

Key types of weatherproof antenna

Antennas used for outdoor and marine installations are diverse. They are installed for a variety of purposes, not only wireless networking but also radiocommunication and radio navigation. All antennas connect by standard 50 Ohm radio frequency connectors including SMA, RP SMA, N-Type, and TNC connectors for a mechanically and electrically secure connection.

[A] Weatherproof monopole antennas consist of a rod conducting element, mounted perpendicular to a conductive ground plane. Monopole antennas are omnidirectional antennas, able to send and receive signals in all directions around its axis. The rod is an open resonator, and the wavelength of its fundamental frequency determines its length. Quarter wave monopole antennas are common.

[B] Weatherproof dipole antennas are another simple omnidirectional antenna design, consisting of paired conducting elements that are separated at their mid-point by a feedline. The antenna elements may be rods or wires. The wavelength of their target frequency determines the length of the elements. They have a range of designs and radomes and can be multiplied and housed in a single radome to create dual-band marine