Hi, I would like to install a remote (RAM) mic at the helm, on the pedestal guard. The connector to the cable leading from the mic to the radio is so large, I am reluctant to cut a hole (about 3/4 inch) for it in the pedestal or pedestal guard or in the deck. My second choice would be to mount the MIC on to the starboard side, aft cockpit area, at the cockpit coaming, perhaps. Any H260 owners that can share their experience on installing a RAM mic? Where did you locate it and how did you snake the wiring. Thank you and fair winds... Tom
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Ram Mic
We recently installed the Ram Mic. We did it in conjunction with a bunch of other equipment on a new 290. The hole is large and we did install it on the side of the helm station. Rather than using screws (don't much like these in fiberglass) we through bolted the mount using four machine screws and washers and cap nuts with nylon inserts. You are right that the wire is difficult to run because of the end. that took a bunch of cautious and patient effort. Since we were running numeroud wires, we just made sure we sent the ones with the largest diameter through first and worked down. Took the better part of a weekend to run all our wires (Sea Talk, HSB, several power, Radar, instruments, etc.) Good luck. Dan & Adrianne
We recently installed the Ram Mic. We did it in conjunction with a bunch of other equipment on a new 290. The hole is large and we did install it on the side of the helm station. Rather than using screws (don't much like these in fiberglass) we through bolted the mount using four machine screws and washers and cap nuts with nylon inserts. You are right that the wire is difficult to run because of the end. that took a bunch of cautious and patient effort. Since we were running numeroud wires, we just made sure we sent the ones with the largest diameter through first and worked down. Took the better part of a weekend to run all our wires (Sea Talk, HSB, several power, Radar, instruments, etc.) Good luck. Dan & Adrianne
Standard Horizon RAM Mic
Glad to see your article! I'm planning to install mine this weekend and it's been a heavy topic of discussion just where to mount it -- especially having to drill such a large hole and not much space in the cockpit to fool around with. My antenna is on the port stern rail, and radio immediately inside cabin on port side and I have followed the 3' electronics rule when installing all of my gear. Since the RAM is an extension of the radio mic, I don't think I have to worry about how far it is from other electronics. I really haven't decided exactly where to put it. I may just leave it "undrilled" and drag it through the companionway into the cockpit for a couple of trips and see just where I tend to use it most. I'll let you know where it ends up. Good Luck. s/v Ms. Toad's Wild Ride SF Bay, California
Glad to see your article! I'm planning to install mine this weekend and it's been a heavy topic of discussion just where to mount it -- especially having to drill such a large hole and not much space in the cockpit to fool around with. My antenna is on the port stern rail, and radio immediately inside cabin on port side and I have followed the 3' electronics rule when installing all of my gear. Since the RAM is an extension of the radio mic, I don't think I have to worry about how far it is from other electronics. I really haven't decided exactly where to put it. I may just leave it "undrilled" and drag it through the companionway into the cockpit for a couple of trips and see just where I tend to use it most. I'll let you know where it ends up. Good Luck. s/v Ms. Toad's Wild Ride SF Bay, California
Watch Your Compass
I own a Legend 37 and installed the RAM Mike in the cockpit on the starboard side away from the compass. The Ram Mike has a speaker in it. (There's a Magnet in there.)Set the Mike up when its hook up and check your Compass for deviation. I ran the wires along the shore power lines. Drilled over size hole in Fiberglass, Used epoxy to seal the edges. Good Luck John Irvine (Silk Sheets)
I own a Legend 37 and installed the RAM Mike in the cockpit on the starboard side away from the compass. The Ram Mike has a speaker in it. (There's a Magnet in there.)Set the Mike up when its hook up and check your Compass for deviation. I ran the wires along the shore power lines. Drilled over size hole in Fiberglass, Used epoxy to seal the edges. Good Luck John Irvine (Silk Sheets)
I've thought of doing the same thing to my 270
I think the best loctation might be on the port side of the helmsman seat then snake the line through the aft bulkhead. That way the RAM is nearby the helm but farther enough away not to substantial affect the compass deviation.
I think the best loctation might be on the port side of the helmsman seat then snake the line through the aft bulkhead. That way the RAM is nearby the helm but farther enough away not to substantial affect the compass deviation.
Compass proximity not a problem...
I had the same concerns about putting electronics and speaker close to the compass. On the Sailnet Hunter email list , Roger Mummah posted several detailed messages to help out: First, regarding the compass proximity: "Before I mounted the RAM mic, I moved it all around the compass. When I got within an inch or so it did effect the compass. Where it is mounted on the pedestal rail it does not cause interference. The remaining question is will it interfere when the speaker is "talking". I'm going to mount it and listen to the bridge traffic and watch the compass. "We mounted the mic so that it is very portable. I simply screwed the mic clip to a Helm 1" equipment mount. We can just unscrew the mount and put it anywhere on the pedestal rail. "These handy little clamps are shown in the 2001 Defender catalog on page 230. I couldn't quickly find it in the West catalog." Then Roger provided additional assistance on wiring the thing up... "I ran the RAM mic cable through the pedestal. I filed a small groove at the top of the pedestal and under the horizonal pedestal guard plate where the cable exits. The cable's exit point being under the plate protects it from rain, sea gulls, and pirates of the Caribbean. Of course you'll need access to the bottom of the pedestal where the steering cables come out and are routed to the steering stuff." -- My thoughts are that for most of my sailing, I don't refer to the compass anyway, and I want the RAM mic. at the pedestal within easy reach and "earshot". If I find that there is compass interference from the mic, then it can be shut off and/or removed for those times when the compass is needed. Hope that this is useful. Fair winds... Tom
I had the same concerns about putting electronics and speaker close to the compass. On the Sailnet Hunter email list , Roger Mummah posted several detailed messages to help out: First, regarding the compass proximity: "Before I mounted the RAM mic, I moved it all around the compass. When I got within an inch or so it did effect the compass. Where it is mounted on the pedestal rail it does not cause interference. The remaining question is will it interfere when the speaker is "talking". I'm going to mount it and listen to the bridge traffic and watch the compass. "We mounted the mic so that it is very portable. I simply screwed the mic clip to a Helm 1" equipment mount. We can just unscrew the mount and put it anywhere on the pedestal rail. "These handy little clamps are shown in the 2001 Defender catalog on page 230. I couldn't quickly find it in the West catalog." Then Roger provided additional assistance on wiring the thing up... "I ran the RAM mic cable through the pedestal. I filed a small groove at the top of the pedestal and under the horizonal pedestal guard plate where the cable exits. The cable's exit point being under the plate protects it from rain, sea gulls, and pirates of the Caribbean. Of course you'll need access to the bottom of the pedestal where the steering cables come out and are routed to the steering stuff." -- My thoughts are that for most of my sailing, I don't refer to the compass anyway, and I want the RAM mic. at the pedestal within easy reach and "earshot". If I find that there is compass interference from the mic, then it can be shut off and/or removed for those times when the compass is needed. Hope that this is useful. Fair winds... Tom
Two thoughts on compass proximity
I'm somewhat green to sailing but I've been flying airplanes for years. Every piece of equipment that is installed or removed requires a swing of the compass. This procedure would probably be overkill for a sailboat but a couple of points come to mind. First, don't be fooled if the compass shows no deviation in a particular heading (such as sitting in the slip). It may show considerable deviation in another heading. Airplanes are checked for every 30 degrees. Second, don't worry if it does. The error should be very repeatable. Just make a note of the error and adjust for it when selecting a heading.
I'm somewhat green to sailing but I've been flying airplanes for years. Every piece of equipment that is installed or removed requires a swing of the compass. This procedure would probably be overkill for a sailboat but a couple of points come to mind. First, don't be fooled if the compass shows no deviation in a particular heading (such as sitting in the slip). It may show considerable deviation in another heading. Airplanes are checked for every 30 degrees. Second, don't worry if it does. The error should be very repeatable. Just make a note of the error and adjust for it when selecting a heading.
Compass Deviation & Electronics
The proximity of electronics to the compass concerns me especially since my experience with installing a hailer below decks and a remote speaker/mike near the helm. First, what David Knowles said about deviation in a particular direction is correct and that's something to check for. Second, the influence on the compass depends on the quality of your compass. The units that come with the new boat are, well, how do I put this, low cost. The problem with a low cost compass will be they aren't necessarily that sensitive. If you check the specs on a compass you'll see some differences in sensitivity with the higher priced units. When I go through pea-soup fog I want a really good compass and one that doesn't have errors from nearby electronics. Besides my compass (a German made Venus), I use radar, GPS, depthsounder, radar reflector, and last but not least, a loud hailer hooked up to a good horn to broadcast the proper signal. In my Standard hailer speaker-mic installation I found it influenced my compass as far away as five feet!!! That says something about either the compass, speaker-mic, or both. Also, the wire pairs near the compass should be twisted.
The proximity of electronics to the compass concerns me especially since my experience with installing a hailer below decks and a remote speaker/mike near the helm. First, what David Knowles said about deviation in a particular direction is correct and that's something to check for. Second, the influence on the compass depends on the quality of your compass. The units that come with the new boat are, well, how do I put this, low cost. The problem with a low cost compass will be they aren't necessarily that sensitive. If you check the specs on a compass you'll see some differences in sensitivity with the higher priced units. When I go through pea-soup fog I want a really good compass and one that doesn't have errors from nearby electronics. Besides my compass (a German made Venus), I use radar, GPS, depthsounder, radar reflector, and last but not least, a loud hailer hooked up to a good horn to broadcast the proper signal. In my Standard hailer speaker-mic installation I found it influenced my compass as far away as five feet!!! That says something about either the compass, speaker-mic, or both. Also, the wire pairs near the compass should be twisted.
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