Stupid question but here goes. I want an antenna, 6-7 ft long...8 is too much. Lets not go into why. Question is..can I cut an 8 ft off and not ruin the antenna?

VHF? Get a cell phone!

No, you cannot cut a 8' antenna, it's factory calibrated neither you should ever cut the wire. Look at Westmarine, they have many antennas of different lengths...

Has to do with the wavelength that you will be transmitting/receiving on. JS232's advice is your best bet.

Have you thought about a rachet mount and just tilting the antenna back so the vertical hieght is 6 or 7 ft?

I broke my 8' mask off and the wire inside did not go all the way to the end of the mask ..... it was suspended by a piece of line inside the mask ...

True what has been posted about cutting the antenna. Only should be done by a qualified tech with the proper equipment. The 8' length is the best for overall transmit performance given the VHF frequency you operate on. Unless you need some really long distance transmit numbers, there is an alternative. Look up www.antenex.com and their part number TRAT1500. A tunable 150-168mhz antenna. It does need a ground plane (metal plate) of a minimum of 20" overall diameter to perform properly. Once installed, tune using an SWR meter to get the LEAST reflected power on your most desirable channel you wish to transmit on. Good luck.

ditch it and get a handheld. I'm sure you got a cell phone.

Handheld is not much better than a cell phone offshore very limited range. VHF radio with at least a half wave length antenna is prudent.

I disagree. Works 30 mi offshore for me..cell phone...

Why do you need a VHF when further than 5 mi out? Antennas is just another item to break. Only time I use VHF is for weather and calling marinas. I can't hear myself talk when running.

Call CG on cell and carry EPIRB if you are sinking.

rotax...i dd look that up...never seen or used anything like that...we have worked w/atenex on few applications too.

"The gain of the an antenna is primarily determined by how many stacked elements, or radiators, it has. This results in longer antennas for higher gain levels. The addition of an extension does not affect the construction or electrical properties of the antenna, and therefore has no impact on gain. However, an extension does get your antenna higher off the water, which results in greater range."

call craig at race com! tell him what you need an what you want to do...if they don't have it, they will custom make it for you at a resonable price. he's a good guy with a TON of knowlegde and he will not charge you for advice. call 'em:800 990 9941