Permanent radio on 1801 or not?

[jonas grumby]

I have an '07 1801 c/c that I use in the Lower Chesapeake, its rivers and sometime the light tower 15 miles offshore. I currently have a handheld and am considering a permanently mounted model. I chose not to have a t-top installed as I flyfish. My question is, what is the best set-up for antenna mount without compromising my casting space?

Jonas

 

[DaleH]

Permanent radio - yes. Permanent antenna - not. I'd design/position it so that it folded-down or similar, yet make it fast and simple to deploy.

On the water there is no substitution for height, so if gunwhale mounted, you really should go for an 8' antenna.

FWIW I've tested > 25 VHF/antenna combinations and the top performing boats all used the Shakespeare Galaxy 5225 XT series. The best Digitial brand antenna (don't be fooled by their name) didn't even make it into the top 10. Powerboat Reports also rated the premium Shakespeare VHF antennas better and they even cost less than the Digitals tested against.

Most of the 10-ten also used Shakespeare 'CenterPin' solderless connections too.

 

[parkerjon]

Yes, Perm. Radio Is Mandatory In My Book, I have the 1801.
It doesn't have to be anything spectactular. I have an Icom M-45 which is 5 years old and works fine. The Antenna is also mounted to the console and a backing plate is mounted inside for support. I get great distance from this 4 foot antenna. The antenna cost alot more than the radio. Nothing gets in the way of fishing.

 

[Megabyte]

I did something similar to Jon's install on my 17 Dusky, except that I used a 3' whip antenna on a folding mount.
IMHO, the 4' fiberglass antenna is better, and an 8' fiberglass antenna is better still.

 

[J.A. Veil]

I replaced a 3' wire whip antenna that was on my 23 SE when I bought it with a 4' Digital fiberglass model. I kept the same pivot mount attached on the port side of the console. When the antenna folds down forward, I can still install the canvas console cover.

By the way, the photo shows my brother holding one of the three stripers he caught casting a light jig at the Thomas Pt. lighthouse last Sept. He caught three keeper-sized fish in a half hour. I, with all my local knowledge and experience, caught none.

If I were traveling farther from land (I fish exclusively in the mid-Chesapeake area) I would probably have used an 8' antenna.

 

[jonas grumby]

Well, after much time, consideration, planning and pulling it up from the back burner... I finally purchased my radio and antenna. I bought a Standard Horizon Eclipse DSC and a 4' Shakespeare 5400 XP antenna. I plan to use a combination of the suggestions you guys posted, for install. Now all I have to do is "Get 'er done!". Who knows, maybe the Boss Lady will keep the Honey-do list to a minimum and I will have a new radio for the spring. Thanks again for the help fellas!

 

[jonas grumby]

Broke away and completed the job today. Radio in console, antenna on PORT side of console. Utilized 1/8" s/s backing plate and 1" poly stand-off for antenna mount. Came out great, my camera is broken so no pics right now. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Megabyte]

Let us know how she transmits and recieves, once you get a chance to test her out. :wink:

 

[M5]

8)

 

[jonas grumby]

I'll be away from home for awhile on TDY. When I get back(probably spring), I'll send some pics. I ended up mounting the antenna on the PORT side and used 1" thick nylon to stand it off of the console. This allows it to fold down in the AFT direction a little easier. I fabricated a 3/16" s/s backing plate for stability. I ran the antenna cable just under the mounting block, through a hole that was a slight interfernce fit and used a grommet where the cable entered the fiberglass. I mounted the radio inside of the console box to save space on top.

 

[jonas grumby]

I pretty much followed parkerjohn's setup w/ exception that my radio is in the PORT side of box not STBD.

 

[M5]

8)