OK so my new to me 26 has no vhf radio aboard, I have one sitting on the boats table (brand new) and would have allready installed it....but where??, my first choice is to mount it to the ceiling on the starboard side close to the wall (fwd cockpit bulkhead) so it will be easily accessible in the companion way, and the mike holder can be attached to the bulkhead...the big draw back to this location is it reduces headroom for the galley area. The next possibility is to mount it vertically face up on the wooden panel aft of the head door on the port side...this would also work well, but not very pretty....and now for a crazy idea.....flush mount it as high as possible on that same panel aft of the head door, then work out some kind cabinetry in the head to hide the guts of the radio poking through (figure one only needs sitting headroom in this area)...These ideas are what I have come up with so far, and I am interested in what worked for you..excluding exterior ideas..we really want the radio down below..thanks for the help, this is a great forum
VHF location sought
- Thread starter Rob19626
- Start date
- Status
nice Idea but...
One thing that you will have to take into consideration is that the metal fins on the back are to release the heat energy created by the radio and antenna mismatch. If you isolate this completely from air flow, you will shorten the life of the radio. How much? Who knows. If it is just a head, and not a shower also, you could build a shelf to mask if from view, but I would avoid sealing it completely.
One thing that you will have to take into consideration is that the metal fins on the back are to release the heat energy created by the radio and antenna mismatch. If you isolate this completely from air flow, you will shorten the life of the radio. How much? Who knows. If it is just a head, and not a shower also, you could build a shelf to mask if from view, but I would avoid sealing it completely.
H26 VHF Location
I spent a lot of time think about this and discussing it with other H26/260 owners. Came to the conclusion that location above the stove was best. Easy to attach to power source and still out of the way. Also purchased the wireless mike which works just like cordless phone. Have DSC capability so hooked it to GPS. Because most use is near marinas, my first thought was to go with a good water resistant handheld, but decided to go with base unit because of the greater range of a mast mounted antenna. Also, don't think DSC could be used with handheld. If I had to do it over again I'd skip the wireless mike and purchase a handheld VHF - they are about the same price and a great back up for the cabin mounted VHF. See this site for pics and more info. http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/upgrades/vhf/index.html
I spent a lot of time think about this and discussing it with other H26/260 owners. Came to the conclusion that location above the stove was best. Easy to attach to power source and still out of the way. Also purchased the wireless mike which works just like cordless phone. Have DSC capability so hooked it to GPS. Because most use is near marinas, my first thought was to go with a good water resistant handheld, but decided to go with base unit because of the greater range of a mast mounted antenna. Also, don't think DSC could be used with handheld. If I had to do it over again I'd skip the wireless mike and purchase a handheld VHF - they are about the same price and a great back up for the cabin mounted VHF. See this site for pics and more info. http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/upgrades/vhf/index.html
Well after much thought
I mounted mine right towards the top of the wall aft of the heads door in my 260. You can still move about the head without banging your head on it. I can easily use the radio whilst standing outside. I used an ICOM for they are waterproof. Ran the antenna coax thru the guts of the roof over to the mast and then put a fitting thru the hull for easy set up after stepping the mast.
I mounted mine right towards the top of the wall aft of the heads door in my 260. You can still move about the head without banging your head on it. I can easily use the radio whilst standing outside. I used an ICOM for they are waterproof. Ran the antenna coax thru the guts of the roof over to the mast and then put a fitting thru the hull for easy set up after stepping the mast.
move to the helm
Since it will be used more when you are sailing then otherwise, my recommendation is to move it outside where you can reach it when you are piloting the boat. Mine is mounted to the right side of the seat. Easy to reach and use when going through bridges, calling marina, etc. It is a "waterproof" one but I also have a cover. I have been taking it into the cabin when I am not at the boat but as my marina is safe I am going to buy brass screws to hold it to the mounting and leave it outside on a permanent basis.
Since it will be used more when you are sailing then otherwise, my recommendation is to move it outside where you can reach it when you are piloting the boat. Mine is mounted to the right side of the seat. Easy to reach and use when going through bridges, calling marina, etc. It is a "waterproof" one but I also have a cover. I have been taking it into the cabin when I am not at the boat but as my marina is safe I am going to buy brass screws to hold it to the mounting and leave it outside on a permanent basis.
Use wall mount
I have a wall mounted base unit and a hand held unit so I can moniter channel 16 while still talking to other club boats on 72. I found the wall outside the head was a great location as the speaker points out into the cockpit and the mike is easily reached. (see photo) I snaked the power and antenna wire through the cabin top space to the mast base. I also located a remote speaker at the stern pulpit for added clarity from the base unit. I tried mounting the radio above the cabin table and kept banging my head in it. When I take my dingy away from the mother ship I can carry the hand held radio to call mother to beam me home...(sorry that's a different story.) But, it does make keeping in touch with the dingy much easier.
I have a wall mounted base unit and a hand held unit so I can moniter channel 16 while still talking to other club boats on 72. I found the wall outside the head was a great location as the speaker points out into the cockpit and the mike is easily reached. (see photo) I snaked the power and antenna wire through the cabin top space to the mast base. I also located a remote speaker at the stern pulpit for added clarity from the base unit. I tried mounting the radio above the cabin table and kept banging my head in it. When I take my dingy away from the mother ship I can carry the hand held radio to call mother to beam me home...(sorry that's a different story.) But, it does make keeping in touch with the dingy much easier.
- Status