Comrod VHF Fiberglass Whip Antennas

Comrod VHF Fiberglass Whip Antennas: Norwegian Engineering Built for the Sea

When reliable communication on the water is non-negotiable, the antenna at the top of your mast matters more than most boaters realize. Comrod has been building marine antennas since the early 1960s — a heritage that traces directly back to their expertise in fiber composite manufacturing. That deep technical foundation is precisely what sets their VHF fiberglass whip antennas apart in a crowded field.

A Legacy Forged in Harsh Waters

Comrod's antenna story is rooted in practicality. Production of whip antennas for fishing vessels began in 1960, drawing on techniques and materials knowledge gained from manufacturing fishing rods. The result was an antenna lineage designed from day one to survive punishing maritime conditions — salt spray, high winds, and extreme temperature swings that would destroy lesser hardware.

That real-world durability philosophy carries directly into modern models like the AV60BI8 and AV62 series. Both use collinear 5/8-wave phased brass elements as their radiating core, with those elements completely enclosed in polyurethane foam inside a fiberglass tube — a construction approach that locks out moisture and corrosion at the most vulnerable internal points. The polyurethane lacquer white finish adds a final layer of environmental protection without compromising signal radiation.

Key Features of Comrod VHF Fiberglass Whip Antennas

• Full internal foam encapsulation: All Comrod marine antennas are fully foamed internally to protect antenna components from the hostile marine environment.
• Wind-rated to 55 m/s (125 mph): Built to stay operational in the conditions where you need communication most.
• Wide temperature tolerance: Rated from -55°C to +71°C (-67°F to +160°F), making them suitable for tropical cruising and cold-weather passages alike.
• 100W power rating: Handles the output of most marine VHF radios without stress.
• Standard 1"x14 UNS ferrule mounting: Compatible with all standard marine antenna mounting accessories and ratchet mounts.
• Integrated BNC coaxial connector: On select models, the built-in BNC contact simplifies installation and reduces potential failure points.

AV60BI8 and AV62 — Purpose-Built for Recreational and Commercial Vessels

The AV60BI8 is an 8-foot, 6 dBi gain antenna designed for the maritime VHF radio telephone service, covering the 156–162 MHz band. It is well-suited to sailboats and powerboats that need maximized range from a deck-mounted position. The AV62 series, available in a 9-foot configuration with 4 dBi gain, is engineered specifically for fishing craft and larger commercial vessels where ruggedness demands are particularly high — though it is equally at home on serious offshore pleasure craft. Both models use stainless steel hardware where applicable, reflecting Comrod's commitment to longevity in saltwater service.

Practical Sailor magazine, in an at-sea evaluation of marine VHF antennas, ranked Comrod among the top three most popular manufacturers of marine recreational VHF antennas — and specifically noted that Comrod scores high for durability alongside their construction quality.

Why Choose Comrod for VHF Communication?

Comrod's marine antenna range is engineered to serve vessels from small RIBs and sportfishing boats all the way to the largest yachts — and the same organization also produces antennas used on NATO naval vessels and defense platforms worldwide. That cross-disciplinary engineering rigor flows downstream into every fiberglass whip they make for recreational boaters. When you mount a Comrod VHF antenna, you're getting technology refined across more than six decades of marine antenna development, backed by a company that has staked its reputation on performance in the world's harshest conditions.