I am installing a Standard Horizon Interpid VHF with RAM mic in my O'Day 22. I would appreciate any feedback or lessons learned from others who have had difficulties (or success!) in doing the same thing. Here is my plan of attack... 1. The VHF will reside under the starboard side afte berth, essentially right next to the companionway. If you were lying in the berh, it would be just above your knees. May get in the way of a person sleeping there, but (1) it will be removable if it's a real burden and (2) we probably won't have anyone sleeping in that berth anyway. This location is convenient to the companionway and the cabin, and it's also out of direct sight. This also leaves lots of room for a stereo and depthfinder/GPS which I hope to eventually add in the same general area. This area seems like a good shoice because it's above/ behind the cabin table, so will not crowd/ be blocked by someone sitting in the cabin. Finally, and most important, the holes for mounting won't be obvious, so the radio can go with us when we move up to a bigger boat without requiring a "perfect" repair. In fact, there are holes down there now that the owner before last probably used for the same purpose, and which he did not bother to fill. The boat already has a fixed antenna which the previous owner used with a handheld VHF. I have the RG-8 connector to convert the antenna lead to fit the new radio, and the cable is already routed to reach this location. 2. The radio will be wired directly to the battery, comes with an in-line waterproof fuse and enough wiring to reach. I have a multi-connection bus bar terminal on the battery already, so installation will be very easy (I hope). 3. The RAM mic will be installed under the tiller on the transom. The prvious owner installed a round (approx 8 inch dia) plastic deck plate about 3 inches above the cockpit floor. I plan to drill thru the center of this for the RAM mic wiring. The deck plate is a standard item that I can replace for about $10, so once again I won't have to worry about fiberglass repair when I sell the boat. The RAM is waterproof, and would only be mounted when the cockpit is occupied. I know the 22 is small enough that the fixed VHF is probably enough, but I read one guy's "lessons learned" where he said that when it's rough/ hectic and you have to make a call, it's hard to leave the tiller. Besides I got a good price, so I splurged. THe RAM has a built in speaker, so I did not get an external speaker for the fixed VHF. I can always get one later if I need it. Congratulations, you reached the end - sorry for the long post. I would appreciate any feedback or other info that might be of help... Regards, GAC
