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Shakespeare 5206-N White 8' Marine Antenna

Curated from 89 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: January 16, 2025

Shakespeare 5206-N White 8' Marine Antenna

Brand: Shakespeare

Price: $82

Snoop Score:

2.6

Sentiment

0.0

Popularity

0.0

Technical

4.4

Buy on Amazon for $82 See All Marine Antennas Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The Shakespeare 5206-N White 8' Marine Antenna is engineered for marine communication, operating on maritime-specific frequencies to deliver clear signal transmission. Designed primarily for VHF radio and broader marine applications, it promises robust connectivity in challenging conditions. In community debates, reviewers are far from impressed; one noted, “It does the same as any other antenna just short,” encapsulating a common sentiment that the extended 8' design sacrifices the ruggedness and performance of its shorter counterparts. Ultimately, while the product boasts premium materials and a versatile installation setup, the prevailing feedback suggests it falls short in real-world performance, making it a questionable choice for demanding marine applications.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Marine Antennas

I have a glass mount antenna and I love it.
Insightful Chatter

I would look at a shorter one. They make 4' antennas that are a bit more rugged than the 8' antennas.
Negative Feedback

2.6

Shakespeare 5206-N White 8' Marine Antenna

Buy on Amazon for $82

Maritime Communication

6 / 10

Emergency Preparedness

2 / 10

Navigation Support

6 / 10

Versatile Deployment

2 / 10

See how this compares to all Marine Antennas

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

8' antenna design perceived as less rugged compared to shorter models

“I would look at a shorter one. They make 4' antennas that are a bit more rugged than the 8' antennas.”➕

Reduced performance due to short design

“It does the same as any other antenna just short.”➕

“It will work as an antenna, but it will probably be way less effective than the longer antennas you can get for your radio.”➕

“Dust cover for you radio, while you waiting delivery for good antena.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Retevis MA06 VHF Marine Antenna	$54	6.6	Details	Buy
Herdio Waterproof Marine Antenna Rubber Duck Dipole Flexible Mast	$15	6.5	Details	Buy
HYS VHF Marine Antenna	$36	6.2	Details	Buy
Jauarta Marine Antenna Base Mount 316 Stainless Steel	$14	5.6	Details	Buy
HYS VHF Marine Antenna Waterproof 3DBI	$69	5.5	Details	Buy
Jauarta Marine VHF Antenna Mount Polished 316 Stainless Steel Adjustable Ratchet Base	$31	5.5	Details	Buy
Generic Tram VHF Marine Antenna, Stainless Steel Mount, White	$39	5.5	Details	Buy
F&Y Stainless Steel VHF Antenna Ratchet Mount	$31	5.3	Details	Buy
Ldafava Marine VHF Antenna Adjustable Base Mount Ratchet Mount	$20	5.2	Details	Buy
Septpenta Marine Antenna Base Mount, 316 Stainless Steel 180 Degree Adjustable Mount	$17	5.0	Details	Buy
Dyocoag Marine Antenna Mount Adjustable Dual Axis Ratchet Base for Boats	$21	4.1	Details	Buy
Generic Marine Antenna Mounting Fixed Antenna Base	$10	2.7	Details	Buy
Shakespeare 5206-N White 8' Marine Antenna	$82	2.6	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

HT antenna performance testing reveals complexity in efficiency versus SWR

“testing HT antennas is like herding cats, but still interesting to see the different results.”➕

“you can have a low SWR but also very low efficiency (that's what a dummy load is).”➕

“I'd like to see an SWR of 3 or less, and not 6 or 10.”➕

“I actually ordered my first Signal stick a few nights ago. Look forward to trying it out!”➕

High VHF indoor antenna performance discussion

“I’ll bet that it will. You have to be looking for it :-).”➕

“I’m pretty sure I don’t need a 4max, don’t believe it does any better than the max x or xr on the VHF side.”➕

“I'm thinking there's a couple potential ways to go here.”➕

“Have you tried turning the rabbitears antenna V-shape toward that direction and re-scanning?”➕

General discussion on various antenna types and their uses

“BTW, your neighbor is a ham.”➕

“As Dittybopper said, your neighbor is a ham radio operator.”➕

“These are clearly ham radio antennas, used for hobby recreational communication via different radio frequencies.”➕

“Hell, I run all wire antennas and chase a ton of DX.”➕

Best use for close‐proximity communications

“The best use case is a large gathering of people all using radios within close proximity.”➕

Shakespeare 5206-N technical specifications: RG-58 cable and PL259 connector

“I think the cable on the Shakespeare 5206-N is RG-58, which is 50 ohms, common with marine VHF.”➕

“The PL259 will most likely fit the antenna port on the radio, which is it's female counterpart, an SO239.”➕

Explanation of marine antenna design rationale (collinear phased array, gain, etc.)

“Because they're not a 1/4 wavelength antenna.”➕

“It seems like collinear phased array antennae would be superior to 1/4 wave antennae for most use cases where an omnidirectional signal is desired.”➕

“They are often a gain antenna, eg phased array or similar.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Alternative mounting methods to avoid drilling

“I now use a trunk lip mount to get better gain here in the Bay Area - it avoids drilling a hole, as well.”➕

Debate over antenna classification and intended use

“Far from a TV antenna.”➕

“It appears more likely to be a PL-259, which would indicate a 50 ohm cable and radio use rather than TV.”➕

“I doubt it will work correctly in the condition it's in.”➕

“It's a broadcast TV antenna. Not much use for ham radio.”➕

DIY repurposing for car antenna use

“Don't recommend driving with this thing up.”➕

“It won't be resonant, but you could put an rf amplifier that covered the frequency range you're interested in.”➕

“I wouldn't go taller or it can fall off at high speed or if it hits something.”➕

Repurposing marine antennas for dual-band (2M FM) use

“the Shakespeare HS-2774 wideband antenna covers 136-174Mhz and does a pretty good job of it too.”➕

“Best to install another fiberglass antenna for 2M. This way you can use both radios at the same time.”➕

“If it is just a quarter-wave whip you could electrically lengthen it to be quarter-wave resonant on two meters.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Preference for glass mount antennas

“I have a glass mount antenna and I love it.”➕

Desire for discreet, low‐profile antenna installations

“I try to make it super boring.”➕

Mounting recommendations for marine antennas in challenging conditions

“The key will be the resiliency of the rod and its mounting - will it stand up to the buffeting?”➕

“For travel, they are thin and flexible enough to just cut through air.”➕

“How about installing the antenna on a spring-loaded mount?”➕

Antenna model identification inquiry

“From a fast internet search looks like a Shakespeare Galaxy 5390.”➕

“I see the old Shakespeare sticker on that.”➕

“I'll have to look into one of those I use to have a half wave Antenna that worked excellent.”➕

Considerations for effective VHF installations for boats

“he better already have VHF on 10-20km runs into the Atlantic or he's an idiot.”➕

“it is absolute nuts that he does not have a VHF radio with a tall antenna already.”➕

“I have one and use it regularly offshore. It works fantastic.”➕

Maintenance and replacement of old fiberglass GPS antennas

“I probably should just get a new one but in the mean time I’m wondering if white tape would suffice.”➕

“tape is ok, but better to coat it in epoxy, or gelcoat.”➕

“Too many fiberglass splinters to make saving an old gps worth it.”➕