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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

VHF radio placement

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/14/2006 : 22:48:31

We have recently acquired a 1984 C-25 tall rig and I'm trying to decide where to place a VHF radio I have removed from our C-22. On that boat I attached it to the wood trim just inside the main hatch because I wanted it accessable from the cockpit and I dislike drilling holes in the fiberglass. Unfortunately, that also left it exposed to rain and getting bumped while going below. I don't have a mast-mounted antenna. On the C-22 I used what is sold as a back-up or emergency antenna, it's only about a foot tall with a suction cup base that I could leave laying down on the shelf. For our lake it worked quite well and it keeps the radio protected from lightning strikes. One of the best spots I've found is under the window directly above the battery compartment. I'm open to other suggestions.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3442 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 05:36:35

David,

My VHF radio is mounted just behind the steps which is not the most convenient location in that one still requires going into the cockpit to fiddle with the tuning, hearing clearly and getting access to the microphone. There are probably better places to install it but...not everything can be located conveniently without cluttering the companionway. I have same issue with the switch panel which I may start working on this winter putting a new one more convenient to access from the cockpit.

In regards to the radio, there may be extension cords for the mike that makes any location of it perhaps a bit more palatable but if I were to seriously look into doing a makeover regarding the radio, what I would consider is mount one where it is best for cabin access and an uncluttered location but I would replace the existing one (if necessary) with a more updated radio that can utilize one of those remote wireless microphone/handheld stations that run off the base unit. I saw them in the West Marine Catalog. That seems the way to go for those that want to utilize a radio/antenna setup that gets further range that a handheld but has the convenience of a handheld.

My thought is that the radio unless mounted right at the companionway with the front panel visible to the cockpit is not all that conveninet and when needed in an emergency or when your attention is also needed in the cockpit (maybe boat traffic), it is not the time to have to go into the cabin to turn the unit on, tweaking it or switching channels. I would really want to hear from someone that has one of those wireless remote units that works off the base station to find out how well they work. I would check on your radio to see if it is new enough and the mfr offers one of those wirelss remotes that can be used with it. It may alter your decisions as to where you want to mount your radio in the cabin.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 09:47:19

I'm am in agreement with Larry. Several years ago, when I replaced my old radio after a lightning strike, I included a remote "Command Mike" with my Standard Horizon purchase. ICOM now makes them also. With it you can do anything from the cockpit/Command Mike that you could do on the face of the radio. It therefore allows you to mount the radio anywhere, including places where you wouldn't normally need to access it. Just leave it on all the time and power it down when you turn off your master switch. I consider it one the the top three, of which there are many, upgrades on my boat.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3442 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 12:50:47

Al,
Thanks for that input ! That then is something for me to consider more seriously. Just have to decide if I want to part with the dough because I believe I would have to buy a new radio and the compatible remote. My radio may be too old. I will probably check on that. If my Standard Horizon radio is compatible....then I will move this improvement to the top of my list of things to do !

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 13:05:25

My boat came to me with the vhf mounted to the overhead as shown in this photo.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 14:41:40

Larry,

Mine is mounted just below yours under the window. I have both a standard mike for use in the cabin and a remote command mike in the cockpit.

I believe Standard Horizon has had the command mike out now for about four years. It was around $90 at the time but even then well worth the money. ICOM also now has one which may be cheaper. You'll have to check.

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2006 : 17:07:02

I have the ICOM remote mic and am pleased with it. I could never hear my previous radio, which was mounted inside the cabin. I think the ICOM remote runs about $100.

If I had it all to do over again though, I'd consider keeping the unit inside the cabin and adding a rechargable hand-held VHF. I'd mount the charging base in the cabin so the unit charged while at the dock on shore power. When sailing, I'd have the hand-held unit in the cockpit where I can hear it and reach it easily and leave the hard-wired unit in the cabin (as a back-up) turned off.

There's a photo of my mic [url="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/frayed-knot/projects/tiller_pilot.htm"] here[/url]. (Yes it's on a C-250.)

Edited by - Bubba on 11/15/2006 17:18:39

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2006 : 19:55:43

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have a handheld that usually stays in my gym/sailing bag, so hearing the radio from the cockpit while doing a hundred other things to keep the boat upright is not that much of a concern. The remote mic/radio idea is definitely something to keep on my Xmas list. Bottom painting (just under the trailer/jack stand pads)will be completed tomorrow morning, so we're looking at launching in the afternoon, finally!
Wish us luck, unfortunately the lake is already down to winter pool level.
David

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2006 : 20:47:44

This is my vhf placement and other navigation tools. I added an outside speaker in the cockpit side compartment which I can plug into either the vhf or the cb. The picture shows the cb secured to the pop top with both mics that can be pulled up over the edge to use from the cockpit. The shelves are secured to wood trim and just under the edge of the cabin top. This has worked for me which also includes storage of the flags and gloves and everything else that needs a quick place.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2006 : 08:06:54

Here is where we put ours....the holders are teak binocular holders back to back

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2006 : 09:16:38

... yes Duane has a bulkhead that no one else has. I think someone could simply hang those teak boxes from the genoa track bolts above. I used them on my Port side, I simply put in longer ones so I had studs hanging down for my radio pod.

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Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2006 : 10:01:59

Here's where I put ours. Hope the pic comes out, first time attempting to post a pic.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dave_otey/detail?.dir=3bc4re2&.dnm=f0b1re2.jpg&.src=ph

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2006 : 11:31:36

Some of the mfg's are now offering VHF radios with wireless remote controls (aka wireless RAM Mic)... that would be the proverbial cat's pajamas in a sailboat. Also starting to make the base units 'shallow' so they can be bulkhead mounted.

Progress.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2006 : 12:09:06

My brother in law is a radio design technician in the aircraft industry. He bought an ICOM marine band radio a few years ago to study what it's capabilities were. He reverse engineered the thing into a case the size of a cigarette package and sold it to the FBI. He said that many electronics companies, to keep costs down, will design their technology to fit in off the shelf cases.

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Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2006 : 11:57:46

Has anyone noticed the rf noise generated by the speed/depth/wind instruments? Using my hand held VHF I get a good bit of static when it is close to the instruments. It would seem that mounting the radio in that general area (where I think most of us have them) is not the best idea.

I was planning on replacing my fixed mount, and running new cable. I was thinking that mounting one of the units with a remote mic up near the forward section of the salon. My thoughts were that this would keep it away from other electronics, keep the cable run short, and the remote mic would let you use the radio from anywhere on the boat.

Any thoughts?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2006 : 12:34:17

Dave,
Compass Rose is magnificent, the nicest C-25 I have ever seen.

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Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2006 : 19:21:26

Thanks Frank. The PO had her for 13 of her 16 years all of which she was stored indoors for the winters in Vermillion Ohio. I bought her this past March (our first sloop). We hope to make her the best looking C25.Take care and have a good thanksgiving. If you get out this way( Lake St Clair MI) give us a shout. There are quite a few of us members in this area.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2006 : 21:58:35

What a wonderful offer, thanks. I hope it happens.

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