vhf antenna placement

[fisher-price]

Okay I am having a hard time decding what I am going to do with my VHF antenna. I have temp on one of the rails but this is not going to work out for long. I bought a stainless steel rachet bracket thinking there was a hole in the bottom to run the cable through. No such luck. I HATE drilling holes in my boat but I don't know what to do [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

I have an 18' weldcraft renegade. Any ideas from those of you that have faced the same problem would be great. Oh I got lots of cable with the antenna.

thanks,

f~p

[Mojo]

Well the "cool" thing to do would be put a radar arch on it, with about a dozen rocket launchers. Having it as high as possible and centered on your top (if you have a hard top)is best. If not maybe mount a rail on you top, and get a rail mount. Mine is mounted forward on the port rail, but I have an open sled, and I wanted it as far from the passengers as possible. Apparently there is a moderate RF hazard associated with VHF radios.

[Shaker-King]

Here is a link to a photo of how Wright Angle mounted his. This is the cleanest and most cleaver method that I have seen. I think he said that he got the cable feed-through at West Marine.

web page

[Water Ready]

JUST DRILL THE HOLE! Or let someone else do it. Get a grommet and finish the project and go fish! :grin: Drilling holes is not that bad! Finding un-wanted holes in the hull "is bad". Make sure you ground to the battery. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[garyk]

My setup looks like WrightAngle's. I found the cable feed fitting at FMS, it works slick.

I opted for the nylon antenna mount since its absolutely corrosion proof and slightly easier to use from inside the boat. To avoid kinking the cable, the cable's thru-hull cable fitting is located about 2.5" aft of the antenna mount.

Don't fear the drill!

[YaHoeeFishOn]

. got my new boat and attacked it with a drill . When I was done I drilled 59 holes in her. Only 1 mistake I was glad the fish-on surface mnt covered when I was done. For the antenna's I used nylon mnts. I located them so when masts are down they lay flat on rail and sit in my rod holders while trail ring. I back plated them with a 4"x4" peace of plywood that I presealed in varnish. I then mounted using Stainless steel screws,washers and aircraft nuts. For Wire I used little clamshells that I caulked with silicon , Measure 3 times , pre-plan , use sharp drill bits. make sure bit is up to speed before hitting glass . where safety goggles . I don't know layout your boat. But considerations for storage and trailering are part pre-planning. Being a Weldcraft I take its a
ALU metal boat. I backplated because my glass is only 3/8 : on side of my cabin .


[ 01-29-2004, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: YaHoeeFishOn ]

[DownTime]

You might want to re-think that stainless steel ratchet.It is harder than aluminum and when you leave your antennae up accidently or hit something with it,something is going to break or dent.I have the nylon on my boat,going on three years with no problems.MHO

JB