BoatBanter.com - Position a VHF Radio, a FishFinder, and a GPS in a 18-Ft Center Console?

Butch Davis wrote:
Jay,

Lacking a T-Top on my 16 footer I've decided to mount the VHF on the right
side of the console in the dash with the 8 foot antenna mounted on the top
right side of the console windshield guard rail. I'll remove the compass
from the left side of the console top and mount the GPS/fishfinder there.
The new GPS has an internal antenna. IMO, these dual purpose electronics
make a lot of sense for a very small boat. I'll run the connector between
the GPS and the VHS under the dash and up through the cable way from the
inner console to the GPS/fishfinder. That'll leave the top right side of
the console available for all the stuff I want to have right at hand while
fishing. For the very few times I have need of a compass I'll carry a hand
held.

If interested in a high quality reasonablely priced high definition color
GPS/fishfinder check out the Lowrance LMS-334C for inshore fishing or the
LMS-339C for offshore fishing. About $600 - 650 w/xducer through
Boatfix.com or TigerGPS.com. They are too new to see on the Lowrance web
site but are virtually identical to the LMS-332 or LMS-337 but with an
internal antenna which are on Lowrance's site.

Butch
wrote in message
oups.com...
JohnH wrote:
On 13 Jan 2006 20:15:36 -0800, "
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On 13 Jan 2006 10:10:18 -0800, "
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:
wrote:
Wayne.B wrote:
On 12 Jan 2006 19:14:19 -0800, "
wrote:

I can keep the radio antenna at least 3 feet away from the
GPS antenna by keep them in either side of the T-top.
That works.

But I don't see
how I can avoid mounting the radio antenna near an metallic
object.
The frame of the T-top is definitely made from metal. If I
mount the
radio antenna on the T-top, I will be mounting the antenna
right on an
metallic object.
Not a problem since the metal is under the antenna. What you
need to
avoid is metal at the same height or above the antenna. In
reality
these rules are broken all the time with only minimal impact on
performance. They are good guidelines however.

Thanks for the clarification. This means I should have no
problem
attaching a radio antenna on the frame of the T-top as long as I
point
the antenna away from the metal frame of the T-top. Good to know
this.

Jay Chan

Jay, you really are obsessing a bit too much about all of this.
Relax.

Sorry if I seem to act like a bit obsessive.

I have a list of boat improvement tasks waiting for me to do as soon
as
the weather becomes warm. When the weather is warm, I want to spend
all my time to get the boat in a good shape, then I can launch the
boat
and start enjoying boating and fishing -- the sooner, the better.
Therefore, I need to gather as much info as possible ahead of time to
avoid any delay. And now is the best time to get all the questions
answered.

What is your opinion about positioning fishfinder/GPS near a compass
or
a VHF radio?

Jay Chan

FWIW, Jay, my compass is within a foot of my radio, GPS, and
fishfinder.
Haven't had a problem with any of them.

If you look at the post 'trolling.jpg' in a.b.p.s.o., you'll see my
compass. All the rest is mounted in the helm right below the top.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Seem like the conclusion is "Keep the radio at least 3-ft away from the
compass; but there is always exception."

For me, I will likely mount the radio right under the T-top. This is
not only for keeping away from the compass, but also for leaving room
on the dash for a fishfinder and a GPS device (both cannot be
surface-mounted and must be placed on top of the dash near the compass
that is also on the dash).

Jay Chan

If I had a T-top that would support a radio, that's where the radio would
go!
--
John H

"Have a **spectacular** day!!

Glad to hear that you also like my plan of mounting the VHF radio
underneat the T-top. This helps me to confirm the final location of
the VHF radio.

Jay Chan

I assume you point the 8-ft antenna straight up instead of pointing it
rearward at a 45 degree angle.

I assume you want to get rid of the compass not because the radio
antenna is causing problem to the compass and render the compass
useless. You will remove it just to make room for the GPS/fishfinder
and other fishing stuffs. Will the radio antenna cause problem to the
internal antenna in the GPS? They need to be separated by at least
3-ft, right?

Yes, I know the dual purpose GPS/fishfinder can save valuable space in
a small boat like yours and mine. But I purchased the GPS and the
fishfinder separately during the years. If I could do this again, I
would purchase a combo unit.

I assume you run cable between the GPS and the VHF radio in order to
take advantage of the DSC feature.

You are right to point out the need of leaving space on the dash for
fishing related stuffs. I didn't think of that. With a compass, a
GPS, and a fishfinder on my 2-sq-ft dashboard, I am wondering where to
put anything else on the dashboard. Seem like I am going to have a
problem putting a map any where on the dashboard. I may be better off
mounting the GPS on the vertical frame of the T-top (the GPS doesn't
need to be wired to a 12-volt battery and it may not need a GPS
antenna; therefore, I can mount it anywhere). Thanks for pointing this
out.

Jay Chan