Shakespeare 5225-XT 8' VHF Galaxy Antenna 6dB Gain Reduced Length

The Shakespeare 5225-XT (part 5225-XT) is the extra-tough version of Shakespeare's classic 8-foot, 6 dB gain Galaxy VHF antenna for boats that need full-range VHF performance from a high-mount location (T-top, hard top, radar arch, or other elevated mount). Same collinear-phased 5/8-wave brass and copper element stack that has been the Galaxy standard for decades. Same 6 dB rated gain that doubles your effective VHF range over a 3 dB antenna and quadruples it over a 0 dB whip antenna. Same 1-inch by 14 thread stainless steel ferrule that drops onto any standard ratchet mount or fixed mount. The XT difference: a stronger, stiffer, sturdier radome wrapping the elements, designed specifically to handle the bending loads of high-speed running on a center console or sport-fish where wind and boat motion would whip a standard radome.

Why 6 dB gain matters. VHF marine radios are line-of-sight: the radio signal travels essentially in a straight line from antenna tip to receiver, and curvature of the earth limits how far that line-of-sight reaches. A higher-gain antenna concentrates the transmitted power into a narrower vertical beam, so more of the power goes outward toward distant receivers and less of it is wasted shooting up at the sky or down into the water. The 6 dB Galaxy effectively doubles the usable range of a typical 3 dB antenna from the same boat. For a center console offshore, that's the difference between hearing a 25-mile-out fishing buddy or a 25-mile-out distress call clearly versus hearing static. Coast Guard recommends 6 dB or better antennas for any boat that ventures more than a few miles offshore.

Brass and copper elements (not aluminum). Galaxy antennas use solid brass and copper internal elements rather than the cheaper plated aluminum elements found in budget marine antennas. Brass and copper have lower electrical resistance at VHF frequencies than aluminum, which means more of the transmitter's RF power radiates as signal instead of dissipating as heat in the antenna structure. The result is a measurably more efficient antenna, particularly at the upper end of the VHF marine band where aluminum's higher resistance starts to noticeably reduce radiated power. Brass and copper also don't corrode the way aluminum does in saltwater spray, so the antenna's electrical performance stays consistent over years of service rather than degrading as the elements oxidize.

Extra-tough radome. The XT designation calls out the upgraded radome compared to the standard 5225. Same outer profile (so it fits the same mounts) but with thicker, stiffer fiberglass wall and a tougher overall construction that resists the bending loads of high-speed running. For boats that mount the antenna on a T-top, hard top, or radar arch where wind drag at planing speeds creates significant bending moment at the antenna base, the XT radome is the right choice. Standard 5225 antennas mounted high on fast boats sometimes whip excessively or develop stress cracks at the base over years of running. The XT is built specifically to avoid that.

1-inch by 14 stainless steel ferrule. The ferrule is the threaded base that screws onto the mounting hardware. 1-inch by 14 thread (1 inch outer diameter, 14 threads per inch) is the de-facto standard for marine VHF antenna mounts. Any standard ratchet mount, fixed mount, swivel mount, or quick-disconnect mount with a 1-inch by 14 thread will accept this antenna directly. Stainless steel resists rust where the ferrule meets saltwater spray, and the smooth machined threads make assembly and removal clean even after years of saltwater exposure. The recommended mount is Shakespeare's own Style 4187 ratchet mount (sold separately).

20 ft RG-8/X low-loss coax cable plus PL-259 connector. The antenna ships with 20 feet of RG-8/X coax cable, which is the right cable choice for the typical center console install where the antenna mounts at the T-top or arch and the radio sits at the helm or in the head compartment. RG-8/X has noticeably lower signal loss at VHF frequencies than the budget RG-58/U cable shipped with cheaper antennas, which means more of your transmitted power makes it from the radio to the antenna and more of the received signal makes it back to the radio. A PL-259 connector is included for installation on the radio end (you crimp / solder it onto the cable end after routing). For longer cable runs, splice in additional RG-8/X using a barrel connector or run a fresh longer cable.

Slightly reduced length for shipping cost. The 5225-XT is the slightly-reduced-length variant of the standard 5225 (sometimes shown as 5225-XT-RL on Shakespeare's literature). The reduction is small (a few inches off the overall length) and doesn't measurably affect the antenna's electrical performance. The shorter length means the antenna ships in a smaller carton, which lowers your shipping cost compared to the full-length 5225 (which can incur freight surcharges from carriers because of the carton's length). For functional purposes the 5225-XT is identical to the 5225.

High-gloss polyurethane finish. The radome's exterior gets a high-gloss polyurethane finish that doesn't yellow over years of UV exposure the way some marine antenna finishes do. Galaxy White is the only color choice (white is the standard for marine antennas because white doesn't get as hot in direct sun as colored or black radomes). The finish stays bright and clean-looking for the life of the antenna with normal saltwater wash-down maintenance.

DC grounded for lightning protection. The antenna's elements are DC grounded internally, which means the antenna shows continuity from the connector center pin to the connector shield on a DC continuity test. DC grounding helps dissipate static buildup on the antenna structure (from atmospheric electricity) and provides some lightning-strike protection by giving the strike a path to ground through the boat's bonding system rather than through the radio. Note: DC grounding is not the same as direct-strike lightning protection (no antenna survives a direct hit), but it does provide meaningful protection from the much more common near-strike inductive surges.

Technical specs. VHF marine band. 6 dB gain. 100 watts maximum input power (well above what any handheld or fixed-mount marine VHF puts out, so headroom is plenty). 50 ohm impedance to match the standard radio output. 1.5:1 SWR at 156.8 MHz (channel 16, the marine emergency channel) is excellent and means the antenna is well-tuned to the band's most-important frequency. 3 MHz bandwidth within 2.0:1 VSWR covers the entire VHF marine band with low-reflection performance. Vertical polarization (the standard for marine VHF).

Single-section construction. Unlike some 8-foot antennas that come in two pieces with a threaded joint in the middle, the 5225-XT is one solid piece. No joint to leak, no joint to fail mechanically, no joint that could introduce electrical resistance over time. The single-section design is part of why the XT version is suitable for high-vibration applications like fast center consoles.

What's in the box. One 5225-XT antenna assembly, 20 feet of RG-8/X coax cable, one PL-259 connector (uninstalled, you fit it after routing the cable), and the FME cable accessory. Mount is sold separately (recommended: Shakespeare 4187 ratchet mount, or any standard 1-inch by 14 marine antenna mount).

5-year limited Shakespeare warranty. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.