on a 382 where is your VHF & Ant
 

My 99 382 didn't have a vhf when I bought it. I purchased an Icom radio and an 8' antenna but can't decide where to put them. In the dash in place of the speedo, would minimize installation (wiring, and connecting to the GPS) problems.

The new guy at Formula said they mounted them on the side near the wheel but I think that must be in the way.

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. I am also wondering if my new antenna can stand up to the velocity this boat is capable of.

Thanks

I would mount under the deck in the cabin,,,,,antenna and VHF.
Will work fine !!!!!!:ernaehrung004:

My 2002 (and most that I remember seeing) have the VHF mounted in the panel beside your bolster seat. Picture yourself at the helm with your hand on the throttles.......right under your elbow behind the cup holder. It's mounted facing straight up. The VHF is mounted to a SS pivoting bracket along the "walkway" to the bow.....just outside the windshield about where the throttles are. The antenna is released down to the bow rail when not needed or in use.

best pic I could find.......

T500 right now it's <32 degrees and the "Ridiculous" is under a tarp. BUT, as soon as I can I am going to look into your suggestion. It sounds like the only real solution.

FYI I read your post looking for an instrument panel. I have the Formula drawings for the stepped and the latest panels. If you need them let me know.

RR

Thanks but I've already created the design for the new main panel. If you have the drawings for the other 4 smaller panels, getting those would be great.
I'm working with a company right now that can make carbon fiber panels like in the new boats. Based on a few more details I'm waiting on, I might have found a great way for Formula owners (and any other brand of boat) to have custom dash panels made for reasonable $$$$.

BTW: Mine's under a "tarp' too......see the pic. Mine just fits a little more loosely than yours :)


I was re-packing wheel bearings out there til about 9:30 last night.......40 degrees and raining outside.

I wonder if the VHF is really even needed anymore? In 5 years I have never used mine. I think if I was installing one I would look into an "emergency" type stick on Antenna ...That way if you needed it would be available...m

I have never used mine either....in 16 years of owning boats I can't remember the last time I used one,

I also have a handheld VHF with spare batteries in the bottom of a storage bin in the cagin too.....probably don't need to carry that either huh?

Around here (Long Is. Sound) it seems like VHF's are used mainly for radio checks. I advocate having one for safety. You never know... I also use it for contacting friends, although you can make a case for cell phones instead.

T500 - I forgot to mention that I don't have drawings for the other panels but if you email me [email protected] I will give you the name and number of the gentleman that gave me the big panels. He will probably be willing to help.

Thats wy i said,,to mount the antenna in the cabin,,,,,,it will still work fine and it doesent look stupid on a nice boat.

Same thing with the radio .

But i would not leave it out,,,,safety wise its the bst to have one.:cool-smiley-027:

Mine is mounted right where 500 hps said his is, but I mounted mine on velcro with the antenna right next to it and fold it back towards the rear hatch. Hole drilling was at a minimal that way. We use the radio when on the Mississippi river to contact the lock and dams.

Antennas are polarized vertically. I don't see how you can tx or Rv when the end of it is pointed toward the other guys antenna??

Unless maybe you are using one of those short antennas you see on a sailboats mast??

I use a 8' fiberglass antenna ,forgot the make ,,,,but its like yours and its mounted below the deck and works fine.

The only thing that happens is u lose some range,,,,lets say maybe 20 %.
But who goes out 100 miles ?

Think about it ,,,there are no houses on the water where they could interfear with it and fiberglass does not interfear with radiowaves.

So basicly your antenna is still about 7 feet over the water if mounted in the cabin. :eek:

Take your antenna of and just set it on the seat in the cabin and test it ,,,,it will work !!!!!!!!!!!

I believe you, it's just that the radiation pattern for this type of antenna looks like a doughnut with the mast sticking through the hole. If the mast is vertical and high you get the best range. If its laying down you will still get some range but I am surprised its only a 20% reduction. Especially if the antenna is pointed at the receiving / transmitting antenna. There might also be some VSWR consideration, especially if someone or thing is sitting near the antenna. You might try hooking up one of those antenna testers sometime to see, although the fact that it works suggest that the VSWR isn't too bad.

I put mine in the factory location, and bought a cover for rain protection. The location of the hole has to be just right; too far inboard, and you run afoul of the thickness of the side panel, too far outboard, and the upholstered panel gets in the way. (You can barely make it out behind the throttles.)

I used a Shakespeare #5242-A 3' salebote mast whip antenna. The whip has a quick-disconnect fitting: 1/4 turn and it's off. I would never run in the Chesapeake without a VHF. I just updated mine to an ICOM M-304 with DSC and an automated SOS/position button.

Thanks for the advice C Spray. Now you have me wondering how well my radio will fit. Can the panel be removed to cut the hole? How well does that antenna work? I think the only difference between it and an 8' antenna is the height. The radiating element should be about the same for both since they operate at the same frequency. I have never taken a sailboat antenna apart so I don't know for sure. It doesn't seem like 5 feet would make that big a difference.

I cut the hole by drilling the four holes in each corner of the template and using a hand keyhole saw to "connect the dots". Since the faceplate of the radio will cover most errors, you have someroom to maneuver. Basically, you want it as far inboard as possible. If you take the shifters out, you can get a feel for the panel thickness.

I guess the antenna works OK, but I usually make only short-range calls to marinas on my way in. Some day, I'll have it checked with a meter...

The meter will give you VSWR but not gain. To measure gain you need a field strength meter or a calibrated antenna at a known distance. You can get a rough idea by calling someone a known distance away and then trying again using an 8 foot antenna. I would be curious to know the result.