Radar Question - necessity of a pedestal?

[Marshall4949]

I'm going to put a Garmin 24 hd3x radar on my Parker 2300. The purpose for it will be to help with night & fog navigation & weather when I'm offshore.

I see guys putting these things up on 5 inch pedestals, or higher sometimes. Does it really make a difference?

 

[tomc585]

yes.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=3N1xrYyYWS4em21fhxoTs9

 

[Inshore Chaser]

I do not have a pedestal on my 2100 DVCC, but I do have a wedge and it works just fine.

 

[Inshore Chaser]

Plus the newer solid state radars emit a much lower amount of radiation than the older types

 

[Postal719]

It looks cooler with the pedestal!

 

[captmatt]

It depends on how and where you plan to mount a radar. If mounted on a flat surface, the signal below horizontal could be attenuated. It will depend on how much horizontal surface surrounds the radar. If more than a few inches then the dome needs to be elevated.

The installation instructions for Simrad dome radars have chart that shows the mounting elevation needed to for a given size horizontal surface (see page 11):
https://softwaredownloads.navico.com/Simrad/SimradYachting_Software - Copy/Downloads/documents/Halo_20-20-24_IM_EN_988-12307-005_w.pdf

I could not find such a chart in the installation instructions for the Garmin 24 hd3x radar.

My radar is mounted on a 6" pedestal with a few degrees of forward tilt so that the radar is level when underway on plane.

 

[pelagic2530]

The extra few inches, on a small boat with a low powered radar system that experiences large amounts of vessel movement, is unlikely to have a significant impact on overall performance.

What will, however, is ensuring that the radar is mounted at an appropriate angle to keep the beam pointed straight ahead while the vessel is at its normal running angle, as well as making sure the beam is not blocked by the forward edge of the hardtop.

In addition to generally looking better, a pedestal helps with the last two factors.

 

[Capt. Bob]

I'm going to put a Garmin 24 hd3x radar on my Parker 2300. The purpose for it will be to help with night & fog navigation & weather when I'm offshore.

I see guys putting these things up on 5 inch pedestals, or higher sometimes. Does it really make a difference?

Here's my set up. It's partially an invention how I mounted it. It's a hinged Seaview pedestal, I fold it over for towing. I did put a wedge under the dome for level when running attitude. When I fold it over I put a thick piece of foam rubber around dome to keep shock to a minimum and bungee it prevent from bouncing.

 

[OregonParker2120]

I've found that it makes a difference for our boat, especially when the bow/deck(roof) rises holding a plane while fighting tough seas. The extra 8" of clearance from our arch prevents radar interference and distortion.

 

[Antidote]

Before FLIR

After FLIR



I didn't notice a difference in the performance of the radar. The angle I had and have it set to keeps it level while on plan.

 

[warthog5]

If you install a pedestal ? Get a Polished Stainless one.

Like these Powdercoated Fuel filter mounts. They look like crap after a few years...

Why? Because of dissimilar metals..... The Powdercoating gets skinned where the Stainless bolts go thru and the action begins.

 

[SaltCreek Chris]

A pedestal mount shouldn’t have a huge impact on the overall performance of the radar. Depending on where/how you mount it you may benefit from getting the radar above other obstacles on the top in regard to if they create interference.

Personally I prefer a 5” pedestal like the Seaview. It can incorporate a LED nav light, and can easily be wedged if necessary. The LED nav light and pole make getting the light above the radar way more convenient and looks much better than the typical pole mount. It can also be rotated down for clearance when towing.

As far as corrosion and paint flaking issues I have been installing these mounts with plastic washers between the stainless mounting bolts and pedestal along with a generous coating of 4200. I have not experienced any issues in doing this, but without the plastic washers the powder coating is prone to flaking.