Radio Antenna Location on Small Center Console
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:25 am
Hello all. I have an 1989 Boston Whaler Montauk 17 that I bought four years ago. I have been putting work into it each year, and I am excited to work on it again this summer. I am also a bit of a novice when it comes to working with the boat.
I would like to put a [fixed-mount] VHF radio on [this 17-foot center console boat] this year. I have been contemplating a handheld due to price. I run the boat mostly in Barnegat Bay, so I do not need a powerful radio, but I do like the idea of having a [fixed-mount] radio. With that being said, I am attempting to price out how much an entry-level mountable vhf radio will cost with all necessary kit. I understand there are a few mounting locations and options for the antenna, and I thank the forum for all of the knowledge that has been shared to date.
ANTENNA LOCATION OPTION ONE: mount [antenna] to the console. This would involve a ratchet rail mount--yes?--and a [shorter 4-foot-long] antenna. I like this option as it will allow for easy routing [of the transmission line from] the radio [to the antenna]. I will have a console cover made this year, which will affect the antenna. I see that as the biggest obstacle to the console mounted option. Please let me know know if anyone has a good work-around for the console cover problem.
I saw someone in an older forum mentioned a detachable bracket, but I am unsure what this is and how it will work. Any insight is appreciated.
ANTENNA LOCATION OPTION TWO: mount [antenna] near the stern. This option would also involve a ratchet rail mount, but a larger, 8-foot-long antenna. I would then have to run the cable from the stern up the tunnel to the radio.
Necessary Equipment:
Antenna
Rail mount
Radio
Again, I am looking for a cost-effective way to complete this task. I looked on West Marine, and surprise they are very expensive.
I started looking around Amazon for some other options.
I found this three-foot Tram antenna for $30: http://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1600-HC-35-Marine-Antenna/dp/B000FCP1NO/ref=pd_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=31i3azS5xLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0S57TRSW68JMZ8R8YTB9
I understand that this antenna is for a sail boat, but I am wondering if I can use it for my purposes and with a rail mount.
If not, is there a specific type of antenna that I should be looking for to have the rail mount work?
An example of the rail mount that I found on Amazon is located here: http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-4188-S-Stainless-Steel-Mount/dp/B000SMTTSY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1457169444&sr=8-4&keywords=rail+mount+ratchet
For radios, I was looking at the Standard Horizon GX1600 from West Marine. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/standard-horizon--gx1600-compact-vhf-white--14533434
The easiest way to sort all of this out would be to walk into my local marine shop and ask somewhere there, but I am overseas until June. I would like to figure out the best option and know the equipment that I need to make this happen so I can get after the day after landing in Newark!
Thanks again for all of the sharing and knowledge that this web page provides.
And it is my hope to get out to the Hudson/NYC Whaler meet up this June.
I would like to put a [fixed-mount] VHF radio on [this 17-foot center console boat] this year. I have been contemplating a handheld due to price. I run the boat mostly in Barnegat Bay, so I do not need a powerful radio, but I do like the idea of having a [fixed-mount] radio. With that being said, I am attempting to price out how much an entry-level mountable vhf radio will cost with all necessary kit. I understand there are a few mounting locations and options for the antenna, and I thank the forum for all of the knowledge that has been shared to date.
ANTENNA LOCATION OPTION ONE: mount [antenna] to the console. This would involve a ratchet rail mount--yes?--and a [shorter 4-foot-long] antenna. I like this option as it will allow for easy routing [of the transmission line from] the radio [to the antenna]. I will have a console cover made this year, which will affect the antenna. I see that as the biggest obstacle to the console mounted option. Please let me know know if anyone has a good work-around for the console cover problem.
I saw someone in an older forum mentioned a detachable bracket, but I am unsure what this is and how it will work. Any insight is appreciated.
ANTENNA LOCATION OPTION TWO: mount [antenna] near the stern. This option would also involve a ratchet rail mount, but a larger, 8-foot-long antenna. I would then have to run the cable from the stern up the tunnel to the radio.
Necessary Equipment:
Antenna
Rail mount
Radio
Again, I am looking for a cost-effective way to complete this task. I looked on West Marine, and surprise they are very expensive.
I started looking around Amazon for some other options.
I found this three-foot Tram antenna for $30: http://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1600-HC-35-Marine-Antenna/dp/B000FCP1NO/ref=pd_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=31i3azS5xLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0S57TRSW68JMZ8R8YTB9
I understand that this antenna is for a sail boat, but I am wondering if I can use it for my purposes and with a rail mount.
If not, is there a specific type of antenna that I should be looking for to have the rail mount work?
An example of the rail mount that I found on Amazon is located here: http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-4188-S-Stainless-Steel-Mount/dp/B000SMTTSY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1457169444&sr=8-4&keywords=rail+mount+ratchet
For radios, I was looking at the Standard Horizon GX1600 from West Marine. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/standard-horizon--gx1600-compact-vhf-white--14533434
The easiest way to sort all of this out would be to walk into my local marine shop and ask somewhere there, but I am overseas until June. I would like to figure out the best option and know the equipment that I need to make this happen so I can get after the day after landing in Newark!
Thanks again for all of the sharing and knowledge that this web page provides.
And it is my hope to get out to the Hudson/NYC Whaler meet up this June.