Tower Electronics

[CClassic28]

I have installed an Icom 302 with external speaker and a Simrad CE 33
chartplotter/echosounder up in the tower.

I was having trouble finding a mounting spot for these and wound up installing them in a Nav Pod overhead box. I had a piece of aluminum manufactured and mounted on the front of the console and mounted the box @ a 45 degree angle in front of the console like a dash board.

This solved the issue of limited space on the console for electronics.

On my console I do have my Simrad AP head mounted under the wheel.

Anyone else with electronics up top?


Chris

[CClassic28]

A couple of pics to better explain.

Chris

[Split Decision]

Very nice setup. Do you use them up there very much?

I am debating weather or not to put some up in my tower.

[CClassic28]

Tom,

I sure do. When trolling I run fathom curves on the chart, trolling speed info, water temp on the finder. Also dropping tracking dots & MOB when needed.


I went one season without any info up top and it was a pain in the a** not knowing and communicating with someone downstairs for info.


I would think about repeating some of your info up there at least in a 6" unit.

Chris

[biteme]

i flush mounted a small but good garmin chart machine up top and a remote hookup to mt icom radio so all i need for the vhf is a small connection for the self contained full function mike..

[biteme]

cc28

be very careful with that pod...check it often for loose mounting !!!!! a friend running an albie 28 in bad seas had one come loose and jam the upper controls which also jam the lower....drifting broadside in the nasty he had to go uo and cut the mess loose..not fun..

[CClassic28]

Thanks for the tip. I will back ou the mounting bolts, coat with locktite and reinstall to help.

I also have the remote Icom VHF up top but was not happy with its performance so I installed the 302 with speaker.

Chris

[Split Decision]

Chris

What do you have for the main VHF?

I am putting the icom 602 at the lower helm and was thinking about the remote mic in the tower. Are you saying that is not a good Idea? What was the problem?

I assume that you could not hear it since you used the external speaker.

[CClassic28]

Tom,

I have the 502 @ the helm area and command mic up top. The command mic has a very tinny sound which does not work well up top. (IMO) Also, transmits rather tinny.

Some people I have spoken to love these mics, it just didn't work for me.

I also like the fact that now I have 2 radios with 2 seperate antennas, and of course a handheld in the ditch bag.


Chris

[biteme]

cclassic28

hey cris i'll be at my boat this sat if you want to check out storage..i plan on taking some pics and posting also...

[backman]

Command mic is useless

I had one also and couldn't hear a thing w/ the wind noise up there. I ended up mounting a cheapo Icom on a piece of starboard and bolting the starboard to the inside base of the box up top. Mike stays inside the box; except when I am using it. I ran the antenna wire out one drainhole and up the buggy top and used a cheap metal antenna on a bracket on the buggy top. I ran a speaker wire out the other drainhole and secured a cheap speaker to the side of the box.

The end result is I can crank the colume way up on the speaker and hear converations while running; have it at a moderate volume while trolling, and on overnights leave it on 16-68-78 so it can be heard in the cockpit.

[CClassic28]

Biteme,

What time will you be over there? Let me know and I'll take the ride.

Thanks,

Chris

[biteme]

cclassic28

i should be in town from 10-4..i sent you a pm