1: I didn't know you could use your vhf antennae for a radio signal antennae? That's great! I have always used the short 1ft platic ones instead. Does it give good reception? Does splitting the cable give poorer performance with the vhf send/recieve? Do you have to turn radio off to use vhf?
I get incredibly good FM reception, and I don't notice any degredation in the VHF performance, but any degredation there is was more than offset by the new antenna cable hrough the cabin and and connectors like the deck fitting that were installed through the whole process.
As for turning off the radio / VHF etc, the splitter automatically disconnects the FM antenna when you key up the VHF to transmit as to not damage the FM receiver, it's 100% automatic and requires no programming or config. Both FM and VHF can receive at the same time.
2: I had speakers in the cabin only on an Oday 25. To hear it adequately in the cockpit I had to turn the vollume way up. It was way too loud in the cabin if I had to go down bellow for something and a war could have broken out on deck and I would'nt have heard a thing. I installed 2 6 inch marine speakers in the cockpit and it was way better. Could use the fader control on the radio to adjust the sound level to acceptable levels and turn off the cockpit when at anchor to be politically correct of fellow boaters.
To get the volume loud enough to hear in the cockpit does mean it's pretty loud in the cabin. I have considered adding speakers to the cockpit (even went so far as to buy another set of 6 1/2" speakers which are still in my trunk), but I am not yet sure I want such large speakers in the cockpit. I have looked at possibly installing weatherproof motorcycle speakers on the bimini frame as that would fill the sound clearly without requireing two 6" holes in the exterior of the boat.
3: I wish you would have stated the cost of each item in your mods. I don't know why almost noone includes the costs of stuff when they share their mods?
I can only speak for myself here, but sometimes it's best that we don't keep track of how much these projects cost, it would be much harder to justify owning a boat if we really looked at everything in dollars and cents!
BUT since you asked, here are some rough costs, I'll try to include cost of wire, connectors, etc. to a reasonable degree...
Electrical Panel Upgrade $600
Cell Phone Charging Shelf $0
Inverter Installation $350
LED V-Berth Light $50
Stereo Installation $350
Fortress Anchor $100
Aft Cabin Stoage Lockers $70
Cabin Fans $50
VHF Deck Fitting $50
Ships Bell $7
Bimini Hings $35
4: thanks again for taking the time to inform the world!
I get many of my ideas from others on this forum, I figure it's only fair to document what I do and share it back with others, half in hopes that someone else can get ideas from me, and half to show my apprecieation for the time and effort the community puts into this site.
