After my first (half) season getting used to the H260, I am ready to start drilling holes and installing equipment. This is to share my plan for VHF installation and request critiques and ideas for better alternatives. I selected the Standard Comm. Intrepid with the RAM (Remote mic) option and Shakespeare 5212CX masthead mount antenna. The antenna includes 60' of cable and the PL259 connectors and an L-braket for attaching to mast. RAM mic provides speaker, mic, and all radio controls in a handheld unit that is intalled remotely from the base unit. Install Locations: Radio -- above the table under and just aft of the mast base. Reason is that it is centrally located, out of head banging range and will provide shortest cable run to mast head. There is a cabin light near by, so I am assuming that running power back to the panel shouldn't be too difficult. Antenna install. Plan to run coax through existing conduit in mast. ** Any tips on how to best accomplish this are welcomed ** . Plan to remove base plate and head plate to gain access to ends of conduit and inspect for interference before drilling holes in mast. Hopefully these are attached with reusable fasteners and not rivets. Coax deck feed through: ** Any suggestions appreciated **. I want to minimize the numer of connectors in the coax line -- they introduce signal losses and potential sites for moisture to enter cable. Want to have the cable exit base of mast and go thru hole in deck (or snake around sea hood hinge) and connect directy to back of radio with out additional connectors. Will first investigate possibility of some how feeding cable thru front end of sea hood. Back up plan is to drill thru deck at base of mast and glass in a section of PVC or similar tubing to allow connector and cable to feed thru to radio below. The through deck tube will protrude above the deck about 1-2 inches to prevent water from draining into the cabin. Weather tight seals will be fabricated: one that is bonded to the coax at the appropriate location and one that will be used to cover the hole when the coax is removed. Power: Will feed power lines to existing panel and connect to spare switch/breaker. RAM mic: Will feed interface cable aft to proximity of battery compartment (starboard side) and place connector at base of aft end of cockpit seat near helm. Mic location to be in that vicinity, location to be determined: perhaps attach to starboard side stern rail to get it closer to ear level. Any and all feedback is welcome. Fair winds... Tom ... in New Hampshire
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Yeah!
Tom, I was thinking of the same location for mounting and for the same reasons, seems that location is out of the way of head banging. I was thinking of mounting a radio on the port side so that the mic cable would pretty much be dangling in the center of the table then mount a stereo on the starboard side same location, good access for the CD remote from the cockpit
I was thinking, however, of a through deck for the radio similar to the mast lights connector. I pretty much don't have a clue how to go about this though, so I would also be interested in any advice anyone can give. BTW I have a dual battery setup with a switch, on the centerline, aft of the water tank. Tom
Tom, I was thinking of the same location for mounting and for the same reasons, seems that location is out of the way of head banging. I was thinking of mounting a radio on the port side so that the mic cable would pretty much be dangling in the center of the table then mount a stereo on the starboard side same location, good access for the CD remote from the cockpit
I was thinking, however, of a through deck for the radio similar to the mast lights connector. I pretty much don't have a clue how to go about this though, so I would also be interested in any advice anyone can give. BTW I have a dual battery setup with a switch, on the centerline, aft of the water tank. Tomdeck connector (for Tom)
Tom, I purchased a Male/male VHF antenna connector that was about 4 inches long at West Marine. It's on page 70 of the 1999 WM catalog, WM part number 238568. Mt original plan was to drill a hole through the deck,put this connector through, and seal it with silicone (or maybe 5200). Unfortunately, what actually happened was, I drilled the hole, put the connector into it, discovered it was about 1/2" too short, and I ended up installing a water-tight deck fitting with the cable sticking out about 1"... Anyway, I just wanted to warn you to make sure your deck isn't too thick for the connector. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Tom, I purchased a Male/male VHF antenna connector that was about 4 inches long at West Marine. It's on page 70 of the 1999 WM catalog, WM part number 238568. Mt original plan was to drill a hole through the deck,put this connector through, and seal it with silicone (or maybe 5200). Unfortunately, what actually happened was, I drilled the hole, put the connector into it, discovered it was about 1/2" too short, and I ended up installing a water-tight deck fitting with the cable sticking out about 1"... Anyway, I just wanted to warn you to make sure your deck isn't too thick for the connector. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Same Deal...
... but I attached one of the right angle fittings and drilled the hole larger on the bottom to accommodate it. The wire then comes out parallel to the headliner without putting a tight turn on it. Worked out real well. BTY the through deck fitting from BoatUS was just a tad longer. As for the mast I ended up taking it off of the boat and putting it on the trailer so that I could do the work in my driveway. It was alot easier than trying to do it on the boat. As for the mount on the antenna I played around with alot of different ideas but ended up buying a peice of aluminum at Home Depot like 1/4 X 2 X 36 cut it shorter and bolted it across the top drilling holes for my windex and antenna. I also added a sreader light that lights up the cockpit and companion way really nicely. Check the photo forum I'll put I picture there soon.
... but I attached one of the right angle fittings and drilled the hole larger on the bottom to accommodate it. The wire then comes out parallel to the headliner without putting a tight turn on it. Worked out real well. BTY the through deck fitting from BoatUS was just a tad longer. As for the mast I ended up taking it off of the boat and putting it on the trailer so that I could do the work in my driveway. It was alot easier than trying to do it on the boat. As for the mount on the antenna I played around with alot of different ideas but ended up buying a peice of aluminum at Home Depot like 1/4 X 2 X 36 cut it shorter and bolted it across the top drilling holes for my windex and antenna. I also added a sreader light that lights up the cockpit and companion way really nicely. Check the photo forum I'll put I picture there soon.
VHF
Installed mine 2 years ago on H240. If you don't have a messanger line still in the mast you can use an electrician tape. I drilled a small hole at the base of the mast opposite the wiring for the lights. As for mounting the antena if you have a windex you will probably need a piece of alumium that will move the windex further aft on the mast so the antena does not interfer with it. Put a loop in the coax cable where it enters the top of the mast so moisture does not run down the mast. For the deck connection used drilled hole in deck. ran cable from radio under pan to mast compression post. brought it up the front of the mast compresion post through the deck. installed connection with a rubber grommet that tightens around cable. Hasn't leaked yet. Hit cable on compression post with a hollow piece of teak trim. Would definatley do this while boat is on trailer and mast is down.
Installed mine 2 years ago on H240. If you don't have a messanger line still in the mast you can use an electrician tape. I drilled a small hole at the base of the mast opposite the wiring for the lights. As for mounting the antena if you have a windex you will probably need a piece of alumium that will move the windex further aft on the mast so the antena does not interfer with it. Put a loop in the coax cable where it enters the top of the mast so moisture does not run down the mast. For the deck connection used drilled hole in deck. ran cable from radio under pan to mast compression post. brought it up the front of the mast compresion post through the deck. installed connection with a rubber grommet that tightens around cable. Hasn't leaked yet. Hit cable on compression post with a hollow piece of teak trim. Would definatley do this while boat is on trailer and mast is down.
Radio Etc..
...We installed our Apelco radio port side, between the steps and the side of the head. I mounted the mic on the side of the head wall so that we can access it from the cockpit. Friends with a Mac26 recently installed an Intrepid w/RAM mic and they love it. I spent about $40 on a Lewmar deck connector for the mast base coax. It is a pretty nice unit with o-ring seals and caps for when the mast is stepped. The mast base on our 1998 260 is attached with stainless rivets. The base is very easy to remove. Simply drill off the head of the rivet; push it though; and re-attach w/new rivets. The mast head antenna was attached using a "custom" flat piece of aluminum... Hope this helps... Enjoy your 260 Stephen Dawes H260 Tender Morsel
...We installed our Apelco radio port side, between the steps and the side of the head. I mounted the mic on the side of the head wall so that we can access it from the cockpit. Friends with a Mac26 recently installed an Intrepid w/RAM mic and they love it. I spent about $40 on a Lewmar deck connector for the mast base coax. It is a pretty nice unit with o-ring seals and caps for when the mast is stepped. The mast base on our 1998 260 is attached with stainless rivets. The base is very easy to remove. Simply drill off the head of the rivet; push it though; and re-attach w/new rivets. The mast head antenna was attached using a "custom" flat piece of aluminum... Hope this helps... Enjoy your 260 Stephen Dawes H260 Tender Morsel
VHF
Opps, I did it again with nary a response. Tom, there are some fittings for thru the deck for coax cables. There is a 2" or 3" thru deck double female that would be the ticket. Also, purchase the cap and both are stainless steel. Running the wiring can be difficult. Remove the plates in the cieling underneath the compression post. You should see a blue tube. Forget the damn string in it as it is worthless since I have never found it on the other end. Run a snake. You will find it coming out in the are of the removable panel in cieling above the electrical panel. You can run wiring and cable through this. Snaking is the hardest part/. Hope this will help you. Crazy Dave
Opps, I did it again with nary a response. Tom, there are some fittings for thru the deck for coax cables. There is a 2" or 3" thru deck double female that would be the ticket. Also, purchase the cap and both are stainless steel. Running the wiring can be difficult. Remove the plates in the cieling underneath the compression post. You should see a blue tube. Forget the damn string in it as it is worthless since I have never found it on the other end. Run a snake. You will find it coming out in the are of the removable panel in cieling above the electrical panel. You can run wiring and cable through this. Snaking is the hardest part/. Hope this will help you. Crazy Dave
Great info Guys!
Jon, thank you for the thorough information ie: part numbers and warnings. Rick, thank you, do you happen to have numbers for the parts you used ? Stephen, same question for you, also, where did you get the unit? Again, thanks to all. I'll give it a shot. Tom
Jon, thank you for the thorough information ie: part numbers and warnings. Rick, thank you, do you happen to have numbers for the parts you used ? Stephen, same question for you, also, where did you get the unit? Again, thanks to all. I'll give it a shot. Tom
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