Has anyone installed a external FM Antenna on their boat ?

I'm looking at the Galaxy FM Antennas from Shakespeare in either the 4' or 8' lengths.

Thanks !

I bought a sattelite radio for work a few years ago and after using it for a short while I found that I could not listen to regular radio anymore. Now I have docking stations for it everywhere, house cars, you name it. Heck, I can mow the lawn with it on my belt and never lose signal.

It's great for the boat since it does not matter how far from land you are and it plays through the stereo with an ipod adapter. No commercials and 200 channels, not to mention the sports and news.

Sorry, I know that didn't answer your question but for less than $200.00 you can get a unit and hardware for all your vehicles. Just a thought.

Already have the Sirius standard along with a 10 disc and iPod interface. We enjoy FM, so just looking to maximize our reception along the river.

Cool, I know they help but how much I can't tell you. I know some guys use their VHF antennae with a splitter and get the same increase in signal. If you already have a VHF whip you can just put the splitter on and your good to go.

On my last boat I had a short stainless VHF antennae and it seemed to work as well as the big whips. About three feet long and looks sorta like a car antennae.

The FM wavelength is somewhere around 36 or 38 inches, I don't remember exactly but that is all the longer you need for good reception. Of course hight always helps.

Yeah, I had the VHF/FM splitter by Shakespeare.

It worked great!

I have a Shakespeare 4350 AM/FM antenna that came with the boat. Cannot remark much on its performance as there are not very many radio stations where we boat, so FM is a source generally unused.

I've heard pro/cons of the splitter, but thanks for all the info everyone !!

I use a 6' fibreglass CB whip, for an FM antennae. Works just fine.

That is a good unit. If you decide you want to order one check us out at http://www.firstchoicemarine.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=Galaxy+FM+&searchdescriptions=1&showpics=1 we usually can get it shipped same day.