I assumed the same db gain (but none in particular) since the distance
to the horizon would be the limiting factor. As far as I know, the gain
will only come into play if the antenna is VERY high.

I'm not an expert, I don't play one on TV, and I haven't stayed at a
Holiday Inn Express in over four years.

Dan


JimH wrote:
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...

The difference in four feet (assuming the same gain the the antennae) you
will only be able to communicate 1.18 miles further.


True, or close to it depending on the db gain you used. ;-)

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:

6db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.15= Range in
miles
9db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.52= Range in
miles

So we are talking a range of roughly 3 miles for the 4 foot vs 4.25 miles
for the 8 foot.

Not a big difference as you said.

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:27:22 -0400, "JimH" wrote:


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
link.net...
The difference in four feet (assuming the same gain the the antennae) you
will only be able to communicate 1.18 miles further.

True, or close to it depending on the db gain you used. ;-)

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:

6db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.15= Range in
miles
9db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.52= Range in
miles

So we are talking a range of roughly 3 miles for the 4 foot vs 4.25 miles
for the 8 foot.

Not a big difference as you said.

You have to remember that the db figure is based on a free space
formula - in short, an imaginary antenna range - it's all math and
perfect performance.

In the real world it's not any where near 6 db for a variety of
reasons including standing waves, ground conditions, radio
performance, height, ground plane, data, data, data. The reason
manufacturer's can advertise the specs is because, in theory, that's
what the antenna will produce given perfect conditions.

Also be careful about the line-of-sight deal. FM also relies on
ground wave much as AM does - it's the reason you can receive an FM
station more than line-of-sight from the FM station antenna.

By the way, there is no such thing as a 9 db antenna unless you are
talking about a Yagi.

Later,

Tom

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:27:22 -0400, "JimH" wrote:


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
hlink.net...
The difference in four feet (assuming the same gain the the antennae)
you
will only be able to communicate 1.18 miles further.

True, or close to it depending on the db gain you used. ;-)

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:

6db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.15= Range in
miles
9db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.52= Range in
miles

So we are talking a range of roughly 3 miles for the 4 foot vs 4.25 miles
for the 8 foot.

Not a big difference as you said.

You have to remember that the db figure is based on a free space
formula - in short, an imaginary antenna range - it's all math and
perfect performance.

In the real world it's not any where near 6 db for a variety of
reasons including standing waves, ground conditions, radio
performance, height, ground plane, data, data, data. The reason
manufacturer's can advertise the specs is because, in theory, that's
what the antenna will produce given perfect conditions.

Also be careful about the line-of-sight deal. FM also relies on
ground wave much as AM does - it's the reason you can receive an FM
station more than line-of-sight from the FM station antenna.

By the way, there is no such thing as a 9 db antenna unless you are
talking about a Yagi.

Later,

Tom

Yeah, but the point, as Dan brought out, is there is only about a 25%
increase in range when going with an 8 foot antenna of equal ratings and
positioned at the same height (from the waterline) on the boat, which turns
out to be a little more than a mile.

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:58:04 -0400, "JimH" wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:27:22 -0400, "JimH" wrote:


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
thlink.net...
The difference in four feet (assuming the same gain the the antennae)
you
will only be able to communicate 1.18 miles further.

True, or close to it depending on the db gain you used. ;-)

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:

6db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.15= Range in
miles
9db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.52= Range in
miles

So we are talking a range of roughly 3 miles for the 4 foot vs 4.25 miles
for the 8 foot.

Not a big difference as you said.

You have to remember that the db figure is based on a free space
formula - in short, an imaginary antenna range - it's all math and
perfect performance.

In the real world it's not any where near 6 db for a variety of
reasons including standing waves, ground conditions, radio
performance, height, ground plane, data, data, data. The reason
manufacturer's can advertise the specs is because, in theory, that's
what the antenna will produce given perfect conditions.

Also be careful about the line-of-sight deal. FM also relies on
ground wave much as AM does - it's the reason you can receive an FM
station more than line-of-sight from the FM station antenna.

By the way, there is no such thing as a 9 db antenna unless you are
talking about a Yagi.

Yeah, but the point, as Dan brought out, is there is only about a 25%
increase in range when going with an 8 foot antenna of equal ratings and
positioned at the same height (from the waterline) on the boat, which turns
out to be a little more than a mile.

And my point was that it isn't even that much because of physical
limitations including, but not limited to, antenna height, length and
technical characteristics.

Now, if we want to discuss reception - that is a whole different
story. :)

Later,

Tom

"JimH" wrote in message
...

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:27:22 -0400, "JimH" wrote:


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
thlink.net...
The difference in four feet (assuming the same gain the the antennae)
you
will only be able to communicate 1.18 miles further.

True, or close to it depending on the db gain you used. ;-)

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:

6db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.15= Range
in
miles
9db Antennas: Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.52= Range
in
miles

So we are talking a range of roughly 3 miles for the 4 foot vs 4.25 miles
for the 8 foot.

Not a big difference as you said.

You have to remember that the db figure is based on a free space
formula - in short, an imaginary antenna range - it's all math and
perfect performance.

In the real world it's not any where near 6 db for a variety of
reasons including standing waves, ground conditions, radio
performance, height, ground plane, data, data, data. The reason
manufacturer's can advertise the specs is because, in theory, that's
what the antenna will produce given perfect conditions.

Also be careful about the line-of-sight deal. FM also relies on
ground wave much as AM does - it's the reason you can receive an FM
station more than line-of-sight from the FM station antenna.

By the way, there is no such thing as a 9 db antenna unless you are
talking about a Yagi.

Later,

Tom

Yeah, but the point, as Dan brought out, is there is only about a 25%
increase in range when going with an 8 foot antenna of equal ratings and
positioned at the same height (from the waterline) on the boat, which
turns out to be a little more than a mile.


Actually double the distance, as the other person probably has an 8'
antenna.