Some considerations
Dick, We have in mast furling and mounted our unit under the first spreaders. The routing of the wiring will be more difficult than using an Edson Pole aft. Since the radome outputs at a fixed angle, you will have a blindspot around the unit. The higher the unit the larger the blindspot. Since, in fog you will want to see vessels before they are very close, this is usually not a problem, It is worth checking out ahead of time, however. If you desire to use the unit sailing, I would recommend a gimbled mount. They are very expensive. They do allow your radar system to "see" level when your boat is healed over. With a fixed mount, your windward side radar view is " in the clouds" and your leeward side is shooting the water immediately aside your boat. We chose the mast mount to keep us out of the radiated emissions. Although the emissions are said to be non problematic, we are more comfortable with the mast mount. West Marine 2001 catalog page 123 under Waltz Radar Leveling System states "typically 12-18" below the first spreader". Study it on your rig, since it can interfere with tacking at times. By the way, we were talked into the 4kw unit by our marina owner. He quoted it would see crab pot floats. We were told that this was crazy by tug boat captains. But, IT DOES WORK! If the seas are pretty calm, we advance the gain and "light 'em up for night time sailing". I am sure this will cause alot of doubting Thomas's curiousity to sprout, however it is the truth! good luck, Mike D
