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

wrote in message
ups.com...
JimH wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
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

Jay, no offense but you are going to worry yourself to death on this
project. It really is not rocket science. ;-)

No, this pays to worry about this stuff. You see, if I need to mount
the GPS on the frame instead of on the dash, I will need to return the
GPS mounting kit that I have already bought before the 30-days-return
becomes expired. Otherwise, I will get stuck with a GPS mounting kit
that I cannot use and cannot get a refund.

Jay Chan

15 posts on this and the VHS antenna...............I bet you wear a belt and
suspenders. LOL.

Good luck with the project. ;-)