After much soul searching..

[HemiGTX]

..I've decided to step down and relinquish the crown.

As some of you know, I am the reigning and undefeated champion of the Annual Arima Owners Neah Bay Worst VHF Antenna Contest (AAONBWVAC).  To ensure a high degree of impartiality, rigor, and decorum WEDOCQ uses a carefully calibrated antenna tester to determine which Arima will win top honors for the worst antenna in the fleet.

My ancient Shakespeare antenna has so dominated this contest that I'm concerned for the future of this highly-charged contest.  I heard a lot of grumbling that there was no sense in competing against such an unbeatably bad antenna.  Streamfixer got so upset that he is threatening to boycott the entire Neah Bay halibut season.  I'm hoping that my actions will change his mind in that regard.

So it was with a heavy heart that I ordered a new Digital 529, thereby effectively removing myself from contention.  This year, my radio range should extend significantly beyond last year's.  Which, near as I could determine, was approximately a ten foot radius.

[Rokefin]

Boy life is hard - how could you give up such a crown

[croaker stroker]

Did you get a white one, or a black one ?

[HemiGTX]

White. 

[StreamFixer]

Now we will FINALLY find out if it was indeed the antenna or perhaps it was the operator...  Seemed to work OK when Nicole was talking on your radio --  just saying'...   :whistle:  Jury is still out as far as many of us are concerned...   :hoboy:

StreamFixer

[croaker stroker]

Sometimes people just talk too close to the microphone.

But the black ones definitely work better than the white.  :whistle:

[HemiGTX]

Nah...

It's just that Russ pretends to be deaf when I call him.  But he has NO PROBLEM hearing when Nicole is on the radio.  Must be the pitch of her voice or something..

[GregE]

My, what a magnificent, magnanimous message   

[rasslingref]

Way to go Hemi.  Now who will earn that crown?  Hopefully not me as I just replaced my broken tipped Shakespeare with another.


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[GregE]

Way to go Hemi.  Now who will earn that crown?  Hopefully not me as I just replaced my broken tipped Shakespeare with another.

Now WHY would you use another broken tipped antennae?!?!?   :hoboy:

[rasslingref]

Haha. The new one was free and only had 6" off of it.


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[HemiGTX]

Rasslingref:  you can have my old antenna for free, too.  It is in one piece. 

So it has one redeeming feature after all..

[ATGEP]

All kidding aside, the guys that capsized at Neah in 2016 got a quick radio burst out that saved their lives. Having a good VHF is a good idea.

[croaker stroker]

How did they do that with the boat capsized ?

[Mooch]

How did they do that with the boat capsized ?

Submersible radio and some divine intervention.

http://www.king5.com/mobile/article/news/local/fishermen-share-survival-story-after-capsizing-off-neah-bay/281-215905517

[ATGEP]

How did they do that with the boat capsized ?

It got hit with the first rouge wave which filled them up. They made the call and then the 2nd wave tossed em over.

https://www.dvidshub.net/audio/43671/coast-guard-rescues-three-after-vessel-capsizes-near-neah-bay#.VxW6l2f2Z9N

[Threeweight]

Now, of course, you'll need a new radio to pair with that antenna.  You know, just to be sure.   :whistle:

I have a Digital 529 as my main in the tin can... I picked up a Shakespeare 5225 XT (one of their high end ones) for just under $100 when We$t Marine was having one of their big sales last summer.  I broke the low-end Shakespeare the dealer installed (I've seen Snoopy fishing rods more fiberglass in them) and needed something in a hurry for my back-up radio.  Both are hooked up to Standard Horizons (one a GX 1700, the other a GX 1600.) 

In terms of signal clarity and range, they are comparable, but the Digital antenna weighs twice what the Shakespeare does.  Just a much tougher unit all around.

[Markshoreline]

I'm not sure you need a new antenna, HemiGTX.  Last year Bean and I heard your radio call from your ling spot and we were just past Tattosh.

[HemiGTX]

Uhhhh.....no you didn't, lol!

If you recall, we called you on the electric telephone.  You barely heard us even on the phone because you don't have Verizon.

[StreamFixer]

Save your $$$  Hemi ---  I have an old wire coat hangar around here somewhere I could let you have cheap...

StreamFixer

[Markshoreline]

Well, we heard you, anyway!