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 General Sailing Forum
 Mounting VHF radio in cockpit		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Initially Posted - 08/28/2009 :  05:21:20  Show Profile
Has anyone mounted their VHF radio in the cockpit?
If not, why not? If so, where?

Michael Hetzer
"Windsong"
2009 Catalina 250 WK HN984
Myrtle Beach, SC
Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  05:30:53  Show Profile  Visit DaveR's Homepage
I have a waterproof handheld I use. I like to keep the cockpit as free of debris as possible. Less stuff to bump in to
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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  07:16:37  Show Profile
Most marine radios are water resistant, NOT Waterproof. They can handel some spray but not getting doused by waves or heavy rain.
You might consider purchasing a VHF radio with controls on the microphone and mounting the radio in the cabin near the companion way so that the microphone can be clipped in the cockpit near the companionway enterance. You could also add an external speaker in the cockpit.
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  07:34:26  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Renzo</i>
<br />Most marine radios are water resistant, NOT Waterproof.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I should have clarified: my WM 650 is rated "submersible." I'm assuming that means what it sounds like it means.
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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  08:01:10  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by windsong</i>
<br /><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Renzo</i>
<br />Most marine radios are water resistant, NOT Waterproof.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I should have clarified: my WM 650 is rated "submersible." I'm assuming that means what it sounds like it means.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

In that case...go for it! Possible location is in one of the cockpit coamings.
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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  08:28:56  Show Profile
We're really happy w/ the external speaker mounted in the starboard coaming compartment. We use the radio mostly to listen to the often amusing chatter between boaters and one of the towing companies and the USCG.
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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  10:39:09  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
I have a remote command mike for my radio (mounted in the cabin). The mike is wired into the port side coaming box and has a "mike clip" about 1/1/2 feet behond the box. I can easily reach the mike from anywhere in the cockpit and hear the speaker on the mike. The down side is that it is sometimes in the way of things, though less so than a complete radio.

With so little space in the cockpit, for storage and movement, and particularly the lack of secure storage, I would consider mounting your radio in the small lazarette on the starboard side, where it would be out of the way and could be locked up when you leave your boat. Much more secure than in the coaming box. Other advantages would be a short antenna wire run to the stern rail if you use a long whip mounted there and easily hidden eletrical wiring to the battery or panel (under the quarter bearth).
Edited by - aeckhart on 08/28/2009 10:40:43
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Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  14:14:37  Show Profile
I have the Standard Horizon Quest 1500 fixed mount VHF installed in the cabin. After trying to negotiate a draw bridge opening on CH13 in a narrow channel with strong current, under power while single-handed with a gillion commercial fishing boats, I decided to add a remote hand mike. I can control essentially every function of the VHF through the remote (Standard Horizon RAM+ 25) and never leave the tiller/outboard motor. The SH remote mic has an internal speaker as well. The handset is removable for security and weather concerns. I have it mounted inside the cockpit on the transom under the tiller... out of the way, but very handy. I have a pretty good handheld VHF, but I prefer the power and range of the fixed VHF and use the handheld as a backup. So far, I am very happy with the arrangement!
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  18:30:08  Show Profile
We use a handheld for almost all of our communications. The full size unit is in the cabin and is there pretty much for its DSC capability in the event of an emergency. On a C250 you could mount the radio under the catbird seat and not need a big hole in the coaming or bulkhead.
Edited by - Nautiduck on 08/28/2009 18:32:18
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 08/28/2009 :  19:42:54  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
As others have mentioned, we bought a WHAM wireless microphone for our VHF. So far, the only drawback has been battery life for the WHAM, which lasts about 5 hours on a charge. I also always carry a submersible handheld which I keep handy, but turned off (if the WHAM is on). The WHAM came with a second battery tray, so it's possible to swap out batteries when the first ones run down, but I've never tried this yet. I think I'd probably just hang it back on it's charger (directly behind the main VHF, both mounted immediately inside the starboard hatch area. Knowing what I know now, I'd have mounted the main VHF a bit further to starboard than I did, it's too easy to brush the channel dial when you're going up & down the ladder. But a change of channel is easily fixed from the WHAM, but you have to know that it's occurred to fix it, which has happened a couple of times when we've had guests on board.
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