With some help from this forum I have determined which VHF I will purchase and install on my Hunter 26. It will be a fixed mount and will be located in the galley area. I am now trying to figure out how to run the antenna coax up through the ceiling to a thru hull at the base of the mast. I understand that the 260 has an access panel, but the H26 does not. Has anyone else done this on a H26? Is there conduit through which the coax could be passed? Paul
Routing VHF Antenna Cable
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Cable routing
I have a '95 26' and I installed a VHF last year. I used the light fixture over the galley to run a fish tape foward. I also had to remove the thru deck electrical fitting for the mast lights to push a fish tape with a open hook on the end to starbord to catch the first fish tape and pull out thru the deck. My mast light deck fitting is aft of the mast and to port. I drilled a new hole aft of the mast and to starbord and mounted a thru deck fitting for the coax. The VHF is mounted above the ice chest with 2 holes drilled in the head liner one for power and the other for the coax. I will take some pictures if you need me to. Just let me know. Good luck!
I have a '95 26' and I installed a VHF last year. I used the light fixture over the galley to run a fish tape foward. I also had to remove the thru deck electrical fitting for the mast lights to push a fish tape with a open hook on the end to starbord to catch the first fish tape and pull out thru the deck. My mast light deck fitting is aft of the mast and to port. I drilled a new hole aft of the mast and to starbord and mounted a thru deck fitting for the coax. The VHF is mounted above the ice chest with 2 holes drilled in the head liner one for power and the other for the coax. I will take some pictures if you need me to. Just let me know. Good luck!
That helps
It sounds like you were able to do this with out having to cut any holes except where your wires come out at the radio? The fish tape with the hook is a good idea to pick up the other fish tape. Is this something that you made up or is there a standard hook type of arrangement? Just haven't used these tools before. Pictures would be great if they are not a hassle; other wise I think that I can figure it out. I am also curious about how and where you came out at the base of the mast with the coax. Thanks Mike
It sounds like you were able to do this with out having to cut any holes except where your wires come out at the radio? The fish tape with the hook is a good idea to pick up the other fish tape. Is this something that you made up or is there a standard hook type of arrangement? Just haven't used these tools before. Pictures would be great if they are not a hassle; other wise I think that I can figure it out. I am also curious about how and where you came out at the base of the mast with the coax. Thanks Mike
P
peter
vhf
We mounted the vhf right above the main salon table, right dead center in middle of the boat. There is a big void there, and we used a 4' hole saw to make an opening so that we could thread power to the circuit board. I did take off the light above galley temporarily to help thread it (made a slightly bigger hole there too). We'll put some wood over the 4' hole above the mail table. our amfm radio is by the head, so I used the same void to run co ax to the am fm from the vhf. that way, I use the antenna for the vhf as my am fm antenna, you need a splitter but it makes for awesome reception. good luck sorry no pics.
We mounted the vhf right above the main salon table, right dead center in middle of the boat. There is a big void there, and we used a 4' hole saw to make an opening so that we could thread power to the circuit board. I did take off the light above galley temporarily to help thread it (made a slightly bigger hole there too). We'll put some wood over the 4' hole above the mail table. our amfm radio is by the head, so I used the same void to run co ax to the am fm from the vhf. that way, I use the antenna for the vhf as my am fm antenna, you need a splitter but it makes for awesome reception. good luck sorry no pics.
P
peter
OOPS!
When we drilled the small hole for the brass coax fitting through the deck of the boat we hit a wire. We DID look at the schematics, but still go very unlucky and hit the wire going to the v berth light. We drilled it slightly behind and to the starboard of the mast. Maybe turn on all your lights and use a new "stud finder" from Home Depot, they have a pretty good model that detects current (AC at least). If you drill the big 4' hole over the main galley first, you can put your hand up there and see very clearly where you'd want to come out, and also where they'd buried the wires. If this would make more sense I can snap some pics for you too......
When we drilled the small hole for the brass coax fitting through the deck of the boat we hit a wire. We DID look at the schematics, but still go very unlucky and hit the wire going to the v berth light. We drilled it slightly behind and to the starboard of the mast. Maybe turn on all your lights and use a new "stud finder" from Home Depot, they have a pretty good model that detects current (AC at least). If you drill the big 4' hole over the main galley first, you can put your hand up there and see very clearly where you'd want to come out, and also where they'd buried the wires. If this would make more sense I can snap some pics for you too......
Great picture
Mike, this is very clear. How did you run your coax into the mast? Did you used the opening for the gin pole or did you drill another opening? It's a very clean installation. The biggest challenge seems to be routing the coax without adding holes. Going to buy a fish tape today. Thank you for the pictures. Paul
Mike, this is very clear. How did you run your coax into the mast? Did you used the opening for the gin pole or did you drill another opening? It's a very clean installation. The biggest challenge seems to be routing the coax without adding holes. Going to buy a fish tape today. Thank you for the pictures. Paul
Mast routing
Paul, I drilled a hole in the mast just on the opposite side of the mast from the hole was drilled for the mast lights and I used a rubber grommit (West Marine) to protect the cable. At the top of the mast I drilled a hole for the cable to exit and used a grommit then I drilled and tapped holes to mount the bracket for the antenna. I did remove the mast base to make it easier to "fish" in the coax if you you do this don't forget to use stainless steel rivits when you put it back together. I also tied a knot in the cable at the top of the mast just out side mast for strain relief on the coax. If I'll try to take pictures next time I'm up at the lake. Maybe this weekend. Mike
Paul, I drilled a hole in the mast just on the opposite side of the mast from the hole was drilled for the mast lights and I used a rubber grommit (West Marine) to protect the cable. At the top of the mast I drilled a hole for the cable to exit and used a grommit then I drilled and tapped holes to mount the bracket for the antenna. I did remove the mast base to make it easier to "fish" in the coax if you you do this don't forget to use stainless steel rivits when you put it back together. I also tied a knot in the cable at the top of the mast just out side mast for strain relief on the coax. If I'll try to take pictures next time I'm up at the lake. Maybe this weekend. Mike
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