Radio where?

[backman]

Where to put a 6" wide/4" high Icom radio in the console below.

I'm leaving Kansas as I call the wide open flat space in the center for a future Navnet installation.
I'm considering either the right or left side of the wheel arc; about 1/3 of the way in for the radio chassis w./ the microphone mounted either right above the keys or right above the trim tab controls.

Anyone see a downside to having the radio behind the wheel? I hate to cut into the flat space for anything less than a 10" display.

[Split Decision]

Larry, that is where I just mounted mine. To the right just below the the center of the wheel. I put the autopilot to the left just above the wheel center. I assume you have the 602 like me so you can remote mount the mic? I am going to the boat this weekend and will take a pic. It is a small pain in the ass but one that I can deal with.

[backman]

Nope - 502

I have/shortly will have had a Standard Horizon w. Remote MIC and was not happy with it. I could never hear a thing up top w/ the wind and water noise.

I still have a cheap Icom (302??) in the tower box w/ an external speaker which can be blasted to be heard from the cockpit as well as while running up top.

The 502 most likley goes on the left side of the wheel so a crew member can talk as well as the helmsman.

Lots of rerigging this weekend; 2 radios; 1 antenna, reinstall and shim the radar array, curtains, remount the tower and tower box; reinstall the rigger arms and riggers; baby's home and going for a ride by Sunday!

[TwinFin]

Hmmmm...

Larry, I know you think things through so you will be happy with whatever you decide but since you asked....

I just don't like the idea of stretching my mic cord out from behind or beneath the wheel. I imagine it aggravating me. I also can't really hear much down below when I'm running so I did not want to waste a cut-out on my radio. I don't want anything bracket mounted where I might bang it either.

I've got two VHF's in my electronics box and one mounted in my tower control box. All are bracket mounted and it's an easy run to my antennas.

That wall starboard of my knees would work for me too.

Just my $.02

Steve

[Split Decision]

Larry, what I mean about the remote mic is that you do not plug it into the radio in the front. You remote mount a jack so you can put it anywhere you want. You cap off the one in the front and change the plug in the back where the hailer plugs into. Icom sells a kit for this. You are talking about the command mic which from what I gather is not very good.

[backman]

Onkly 5'7"

Steve - your 6' something and can reach up top. MY current radio is up there and its too hard for me to reach which is why w/ a new console that I'm moving it down below.

Flush mounted on the helm wall is an interesting idea - what is in that space at hip height; just above the area where there are now storage boxes?

[Little Dandy]

I wouldn't mount the mic above the keys. Seems like the cord would be hanging in the keys and cause problems when you want to use the VHF.

[TwinFin]

I dunno...

Hi Larry.

I should be down at the boat this weekend and I will check to see if I can tell how deep that sapce is and what is behind that wall. I can't see anything from my storage box cuz it's pretty well closed up but I think I can see back there from my service hatch.

[CClassic28]

Larry,

I have my Icom 502 mounted just below the location of your trim tab controls. In my opinion this is not the best spot for the radio.

First, you can not see the display easily without bending over, second, occasionally the dial for channel selection will be hit by a passing leg or arm and will change the channel without you knowing, third, the mic cord interferes with the steering wheel and lastly, without an external speaker(which I do have) you can't hear the radio well.

The starboard bulkhead seems like an interesting spot I just wonder if the radio will stick out too far to not allow the console to swing down.

Do you have enough room under your Northstar. If so, I think that would be a great spot.


Good Luck,

Chris

[backman]

I came down to the boat last night

its not going to fit under the northstar and would be a jam to get next to the left side of the wheel . Forget the right side - Volvo took up residence there - HCU, alarms, keys, etc.

I'm now considering either flush mounting it in the open space and hoping the hole I cut will eventually be in the right place for a future Navnet install, or alternatively to bracket mount it in that space as a stop gap and see how that works. 2 screw holes and a 1" hole for wires is repairable if I'm not happy.

Here's a pic. of the sizing - I didn't realize the 502 was so darned big when I bought it!

You can see the template to the left of the wheel. That's not going to work.


Also the radio has too much depth and width to fit to the side of the helm - it will eventually get trashed as the helm is swung down.

[CClassic28]

Larry,


How about lowering your fire extinguisher a couple of inches and gimbal mount it there? Seems like it would fit and not interfere with anything.



Chris

[TwinFin]

OKay...

Larry:

How about;

lower the extinguisher a little and simply bracket mount it above your fire extinguisher
or
bracket mount it under your electronics box. you could mount it far enough back so it would not become a scalp engraving device
or
bracket mount it in the spot above your ignition keys. looks like the mic cord would hang well to the right of the keys

I think I like #2 the best. Easy routing for the antenna cable, power tap point very close and minimum damage to your boat. Whatever you decide, the most cutting I'd do is drilling holes to bracket mount it.