VHF Radio and Antenna Install

[davidh82]

Good morning, I was hoping to get a bit of advice on installing a VHF radio and antenna on my 2010 240 Sundancer.

I currently don't have an installed VHF radio, just a small handheld that I keep mainly for emergencies or to hail the occasional marina. The last couple times I've tried to hail someone on the handheld I haven't gotten a response (although I can definitely hear traffic) which makes me question the usability of this . I'd definitely feel more comfortable with an installed radio and antenna, especially since we are planning a bigger trip in the next month.

Does anybody have any experience installing a VHF Radio/Antenna where there isn't one from the factory? I'm fairly comfortable with the idea of cutting into the helm to install the radio, but the antenna scares me a bit. I would really like advice on placement of the antenna as well as the hardware, cable, antenna, and connectors that would be required.

Thanks to everyone in advance!!

 

[Lazy Daze]

What's happening is that they can't hear you, but you can hear them. Your signal isn't traveling far enough for them to hear it. But others, with taller antenna's, their signals reach you.

It's pretty straight forward, meaning there's nothing magical to it. Put it on the starboard side, a few feet back from the helm and below the windshield. That'll give you good access to raising and lowering it from inside the boat and keep it away from other electronics. At least with Shakespeare, I believe the connector comes with the antenna, along with good instructions. You'll need a thru-hull such as a clamshell or cable fitting. And then a mount for the antenna - white nylon or SS.

Look for a "black box" style VHF. The brains get installed out of sight and all that you will see mounted is the remote. Much cleaner.

There's a VERY wide range of antenna qualities. They start at about $40 and the fiberglass is thin and "wavy", and doesn't stay as clean. The components are cheaper and the "guts" are nothing more than coax cable. Check out Shakespeare's website for good information. Something like the Galaxy series would be comparable to OEM. There's also shorter versions (4') available - both SS and glass. However, the longer/higher the antenna, the further your signal will travel.

 

[JimG]

Obviously you will want to buy a good stainless steel antenna mount. Then select a flat surface (usually on the starboard side) just below the side glass and above the rub rail. You will also want to be sure you can get to the back side of your selected location from inside the boat. There will be 5 holes to drill, 4 mounting and 1 below the base for the cable. You will want to use bolts with nuts and a backing plate or at least large "fender" washers. You will also need a "clam shell" for the cable entrance. Use a good grade marine caulking under the mount and clam shell. Then its just a matter of mounting the radio and running the cables. Leave the antenna cable the length in comes with... just coil up the excess and secure it out of site.

 

[davidh82]

Use a good grade marine caulking under the mount and clam shell.

Would 4200 be good to use for this? Or something like a clear silicone? Off the top of my head I would probably bed the hardware with 4200, then use a clear silicone to seal the clam entrance once the cable has been run.

 

[Lazy Daze]

There's no reason to use two different sealants - there's too many good options out there that do double duty. 4200 is not UV stable, though, so it can't be used anywhere it will be exposed to the sun. BoatLife makes some excellent products that you can use. If you want to stick with the 3M line, then use 4000UV.

 

[JimG]

Yea, what Dennis said...

 

[davidh82]

Great information Lazy, thank you!

I'll post pictures of the project once completed in hopes that it might help someone in the future.