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Author Topic:   Marine Radio

Rockrock posted 04-07-2006 02:53 PM ET (US)
Give me suggestions for a VHF radio installation on a 1989 Montauk. I am planing on placing it on top of the center [console]. I already have a compass, GPS, and fish finder installed. I am also planing on mounting the antenna on the [starboard aft] rail. I will run the cable to the center [console] with all the other wiring and steering cable. Any suggestions you may all have, will be greatly appreciated!
Rockrock

Casco Bay Outrage posted 04-07-2006 05:11 PM ET (US)
Consider a Standard Horizon "black box" type as discussed here.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000763.html

If I were to need a new radio, I would definately go this route.
If you don't use a bimini, consider a 3' whip mounted on the side rail of the console. Easier install. Do a search on this board and you can see dozens of install choices.
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-07-2006 07:35 PM ET (US)
1. Check the antenna cable length. You need 20' to get to
the top of the console. 15' will get into the console but
not to the top. The Shake Galaxy antennas have 20' cables,
the less expensive ones 15'.
2. Keep the radio, esp. the speaker, away from the compass.

Chuck
jimh posted 04-07-2006 11:03 PM ET (US)
The usual advice applies to mounting a VHF radio in your boat:
--provide good 12-volt wiring to the radio from the battery. This will avoid inducing alternator whine in the radio from the charging circuit.;
--mount the radio away from the compass to avoid affecting the compass from the loudspeaker magnet in the radio
--mount the antenna as high and as much in the clear as possible to improve your range and to make the antenna radiate more effectively.
--mount the antenna at least three feet from the [radio] to avoid RF feedback problems
In a small center console boat like a MONTAUK, you will probably have to mount the antenna on the gunwale. Position the antenna so that it an be laid down and stowed. This will be important if you trailer the boat or for getting the antenna out of the way when not need, such as when fishing.
jimh posted 04-07-2006 11:04 PM ET (US)
You can read the advice from the Boston Whaler owner's manual:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual9-17/electrical. html#radio
Moe posted 04-09-2006 03:04 PM ET (US)

quote:
The usual advice applies to mounting a VHF radio in your boat:
That's about as succinctly as good marine VHF advice can be given.

quote:
--mount the radio away from the compass to avoid affecting the compass from the loudspeaker magnet in the radio
The general recommendation is 3' between the compass and radio, but the speaker magnet in our Icom-402S didn't seem to cause significant deviation 18"-24" away.

quote:
--mount the antenna at least three feet from the antenna to avoid RF feedback problems
I think Jim meant to say mount the antenna at least three feet from the radio to avoid feedback problems.
--
Moe

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Author	Topic: Marine Radio
Rockrock	posted 04-07-2006 02:53 PM ET (US) Give me suggestions for a VHF radio installation on a 1989 Montauk. I am planing on placing it on top of the center [console]. I already have a compass, GPS, and fish finder installed. I am also planing on mounting the antenna on the [starboard aft] rail. I will run the cable to the center [console] with all the other wiring and steering cable. Any suggestions you may all have, will be greatly appreciated! Rockrock
Casco Bay Outrage	posted 04-07-2006 05:11 PM ET (US) Consider a Standard Horizon "black box" type as discussed here. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000763.html If I were to need a new radio, I would definately go this route. If you don't use a bimini, consider a 3' whip mounted on the side rail of the console. Easier install. Do a search on this board and you can see dozens of install choices.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-07-2006 07:35 PM ET (US) 1. Check the antenna cable length. You need 20' to get to the top of the console. 15' will get into the console but not to the top. The Shake Galaxy antennas have 20' cables, the less expensive ones 15'. 2. Keep the radio, esp. the speaker, away from the compass. Chuck
jimh	posted 04-07-2006 11:03 PM ET (US) The usual advice applies to mounting a VHF radio in your boat: --provide good 12-volt wiring to the radio from the battery. This will avoid inducing alternator whine in the radio from the charging circuit.; --mount the radio away from the compass to avoid affecting the compass from the loudspeaker magnet in the radio --mount the antenna as high and as much in the clear as possible to improve your range and to make the antenna radiate more effectively. --mount the antenna at least three feet from the [radio] to avoid RF feedback problems In a small center console boat like a MONTAUK, you will probably have to mount the antenna on the gunwale. Position the antenna so that it an be laid down and stowed. This will be important if you trailer the boat or for getting the antenna out of the way when not need, such as when fishing.
jimh	posted 04-07-2006 11:04 PM ET (US) You can read the advice from the Boston Whaler owner's manual: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual9-17/electrical. html#radio
Moe	posted 04-09-2006 03:04 PM ET (US) quote: The usual advice applies to mounting a VHF radio in your boat: That's about as succinctly as good marine VHF advice can be given. quote: --mount the radio away from the compass to avoid affecting the compass from the loudspeaker magnet in the radio The general recommendation is 3' between the compass and radio, but the speaker magnet in our Icom-402S didn't seem to cause significant deviation 18"-24" away. quote: --mount the antenna at least three feet from the antenna to avoid RF feedback problems I think Jim meant to say mount the antenna at least three feet from the radio to avoid feedback problems. -- Moe