I want to place a fixed VHF radio in my 23.5. Please give me input on mounting radio location,mast atenna mounting,ease of cable location in stepping mast ,type radio brand,ect?...txs in advance, and fair winds to all.
VHF Radio/Antenna Mount
- Thread starter Hawk4661
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VHF radio is line of sight. If you're sailing on small inland lakes you would be far better served with a rail mounted antenna. Sure the top of the mast will increase the distance but if 12 or so miles is good enough why bother with all that needs to be done just to get it up the stick. To be honest I rarely use my base unit, the handheld works just fine.
Would have to agree with everybody. Can't imagine where you'd take a 23.5 footer that would take you more than 12 mi from shore. You can get really good handhelds (5w) for around $100. I actually have two on my 260 (got one really cheap at Cabella's Bargin Cave in Sidney NE). Figure the admiral and I can use it when we're exploring the barrier islands or between dock and truck when we're loading, etc. New handhelds hold a charge for hours and can be easily recharged from a power point.
I have never used a handheld that could do anything like 12 miles.
I now a have a newer Standard Horizon and I don't think it has ever worked at more than about 3 or 4 miles over open water. We used it going down the east coast of Florida this spring for the bridges while at the helm, or to keep in contact with the dinghy when taking the dog ashore. We could often hear other boats a longer distance away but they could never hear us.
Remember this is a line of sight transmission, the horizon standing on the deck of your boat will only be about 3.5 nautical miles away. If you are talking to another boat with a handheld that will be about it on a good day If they have a mast mount antenna then the range will increase.If you are on an inland lake with land between you and the person you are calling the distance will decrease even more.
If you are looking for an inexpensive solution (and you did not ask for one
), then a handheld that can be used with a mast top antenna would be one alternative.
Just my experience in lakes and near shore with the radios I have used.
good luck, Bob
I now a have a newer Standard Horizon and I don't think it has ever worked at more than about 3 or 4 miles over open water. We used it going down the east coast of Florida this spring for the bridges while at the helm, or to keep in contact with the dinghy when taking the dog ashore. We could often hear other boats a longer distance away but they could never hear us.
Remember this is a line of sight transmission, the horizon standing on the deck of your boat will only be about 3.5 nautical miles away. If you are talking to another boat with a handheld that will be about it on a good day If they have a mast mount antenna then the range will increase.If you are on an inland lake with land between you and the person you are calling the distance will decrease even more.
If you are looking for an inexpensive solution (and you did not ask for one
), then a handheld that can be used with a mast top antenna would be one alternative.Just my experience in lakes and near shore with the radios I have used.
good luck, Bob
Fine, go ahead and put a mast-mounted VHF in a 23.5 on a lake in Arkansas. You'll get huge mileage on response/receivershp, but won't be worth the $$$. Maybe buy a larger anchor instead.....
I've always put them up on the mast.. mainly because I want to have maximum range and secondly to get it out of the way and out of sight. A backup hand
held is useful in case the main unit goes out or when you want to communicate with a party that has left the boat (set for shore in a dingy for example).
Cheers,
Brad
held is useful in case the main unit goes out or when you want to communicate with a party that has left the boat (set for shore in a dingy for example).
Cheers,
Brad
Ok..if you have to have a fixed mounted radio, up the mast is the right way of doing it. But you're going to be adding weight aloft and height to a small boat. However, remember you have to clear everything else up there (esp the wind vane). You'll have to figure out where the coax cable will come out of the top, and either tap or rivet a base up there out of the way of the halyards. If you can find it, there might be a run inside the mast to keep the coax from interferring with the halyards (my 260 has one that I've run the electrical cable through). If you do that, pull an addtional messenger line along with the coax to make running anything else there easier the next time.
Ok..now the cable has to come out of the bottom of the mast somehow. Since my 260's mast is designed to be raised and lowered, the light cable connects starboard of the mast. I'd have to drill another hole in the deck and put a disconnect beside the power. So, figure out where you want the disconnect and make sure the coax exits on the right side of the mast (unless you can go from the mast directly through the deck..again, not familiar with 23.5).
Inside the cabin, you have to decide where you want the radio. Right inside the compaionway is probably the best place (easy to get to while at helm). I'm picky, so I wouldn't run the coax outside the liner, so you've got figure out how to run the coax. Then, you have to run power from the fuse/breaker box.
As far as parts go, just make sure you buy marine quality parts, properly seal any deck penetrations and use marine grade wiring (both coax and electrical). Finally, but the radio and antenna as a package to ensure you've got the right db antenna for the radio and you're intended use (if I remember right, higher db = more range, but at the cost of in close transmission).
Ok..now the cable has to come out of the bottom of the mast somehow. Since my 260's mast is designed to be raised and lowered, the light cable connects starboard of the mast. I'd have to drill another hole in the deck and put a disconnect beside the power. So, figure out where you want the disconnect and make sure the coax exits on the right side of the mast (unless you can go from the mast directly through the deck..again, not familiar with 23.5).
Inside the cabin, you have to decide where you want the radio. Right inside the compaionway is probably the best place (easy to get to while at helm). I'm picky, so I wouldn't run the coax outside the liner, so you've got figure out how to run the coax. Then, you have to run power from the fuse/breaker box.
As far as parts go, just make sure you buy marine quality parts, properly seal any deck penetrations and use marine grade wiring (both coax and electrical). Finally, but the radio and antenna as a package to ensure you've got the right db antenna for the radio and you're intended use (if I remember right, higher db = more range, but at the cost of in close transmission).
My whole install of a mast top antenna and Standard Horizon VHF DSC with a ram mount on the pedestal cost about $150 all up. I always carry a handheld too. Yeah it's a bit of an installation project(maybe 8hrs) but not so hard that I wouldn't do it again. The mast top antenna pic is from my old 240 but the 260 is about the same.
Deaucer has the install figured about right. For me I just guess you never know when you'll wish you'd have better range to get somebody's attention in an emergency. Maybe that boat won't live its whole life in a lake either
If you're a project guy then go for it. If you're a minimalist then get a handheld.
Deaucer has the install figured about right. For me I just guess you never know when you'll wish you'd have better range to get somebody's attention in an emergency. Maybe that boat won't live its whole life in a lake either
If you're a project guy then go for it. If you're a minimalist then get a handheld.
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Don't forget the drip loops
From the picture I see that water is going to hit the top of the coax and drain down (it always drains down for some reason) into the mast entry hole. Not a prefered setup. The coax should enter the mast entry hole from below so water drains down to a loop and drips off. So the whole thing is; antenna, coax going downward to bottom of drip loop, coax going up to the mast entry hole. With a dropable mast this might not be an issue as you don't have a hole in the boat under the mast base. For masts that are more permenant this is an important "prevent the leak" feature.
From the picture I see that water is going to hit the top of the coax and drain down (it always drains down for some reason
) into the mast entry hole. Not a prefered setup. The coax should enter the mast entry hole from below so water drains down to a loop and drips off. So the whole thing is; antenna, coax going downward to bottom of drip loop, coax going up to the mast entry hole. With a dropable mast this might not be an issue as you don't have a hole in the boat under the mast base. For masts that are more permenant this is an important "prevent the leak" feature.
Ok so I neglected to seal the hole but hey, a trailer boat mast leaks from a multitude of spots and the tabernacle is always well sealed at the cabin roof. And yes Fitz that must be a stealth antenna because I can't catch a fish with it to save my life. Actually it's the only shot I had that showed a glimpse of the mic on the pedestal.
Wish I was there now, fish or not
Wish I was there now, fish or not
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