This is a call for help in siting my radar scanner. I am about to install a JRC 1000 Mk II radar on my Vision 32 and because the length of the interunit cable, the most convenient placement of the scanner seems to be on the mast below the forestay/jib halyard. Has anyone out there any experience with this? How far below where the jib halyard enters the mast should the scanner be mounted? Is there a problem when you tack the jib? What about radar interference from the steel halyard? I was planning to fix the scanner mount onto the (aluminum) mast using four selftapping SS screws. Is this the normal practise? Again because of the interunit cable length, I will have to site the display below deck at the chart table. Has anyone found that not being able to see the display from the wheel totally unsatisfactory? Should I go to the extra expense of a transom pole mounted scanner? Appreciate any input. Richard
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What I Did
I put mine on an Edson pole. Were I to do it again, I would opt for the Garhauer pole with adjustable tilt and bottom pivot so the scanner and other antennas you may mount are easily accessable. It's also a lot less expensive. As far as the display, I had it down below. I have had two below and one above. Certainly more convenient above, but usable below too. You normally don't watch it every second! As far as mast mounting the scanner, don't use self tapping screws. You will have a problem later. Use a drill and tap and machine screws or aluminum rivets of the correct size. You definitely will (must) use an isolator paste on the screws to avoid corrosion on the mast from the stainless steel screws. You can, I'm sure, get a cable extension if you need the flexibility. Have some dock mates over for a beer and engineer this thing well before doing anything. Good luck! Rick D.
I put mine on an Edson pole. Were I to do it again, I would opt for the Garhauer pole with adjustable tilt and bottom pivot so the scanner and other antennas you may mount are easily accessable. It's also a lot less expensive. As far as the display, I had it down below. I have had two below and one above. Certainly more convenient above, but usable below too. You normally don't watch it every second! As far as mast mounting the scanner, don't use self tapping screws. You will have a problem later. Use a drill and tap and machine screws or aluminum rivets of the correct size. You definitely will (must) use an isolator paste on the screws to avoid corrosion on the mast from the stainless steel screws. You can, I'm sure, get a cable extension if you need the flexibility. Have some dock mates over for a beer and engineer this thing well before doing anything. Good luck! Rick D.
Richard, Rick has some good suggestions
Adding to those, the higher you install the antenna the further out you push your view. IMHO I would install the antenna closer to the deck so that I have a better view of objects closer to my boat. Terry
Adding to those, the higher you install the antenna the further out you push your view. IMHO I would install the antenna closer to the deck so that I have a better view of objects closer to my boat. Terry
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