Crack UHF antenna and will it still work.

Bayrunner

My UHF antenna has a crack about 6" down from the tip. Some of the fibers fraide apart but most is still solid.  Would this still work and function good.

Stodge

It's actually VHF, not UHF.  And it depends on weather the core inside the whip was damaged.  There is a piece of wire in the center of the antenna which actually does the work.  The fiberglass is just there to give it shape.  

When I got my boat it had a cracked antenna whip.  I found out later that the antenna was damaged inside.  I found that out by trying to transmit on my VHF radio.  The previous owner didn't realize that the antenna was broken and that it would burn out the final amplifier in the radio if he kept using it.

My feeling is that the VHF radio is a very important safety device.  Better safe than sorry.  Consider replacing the antenna.

(from your friendly neighborhood ham radio operator)

Bayrunner

Thanks Stodge I will replace antenna.