Korby; The question your really need to ask yourself is how you will be using the radar? Is it for weather spotting when out sailing? Collision avoidance when offshore and range is most important? Or for entering harbor or negotiating in a restricted waters?
Radar on the mast puts the antenna up high and gives you maximum range. Desirable for collision avoidance on the ocean, particularly if you have something like a 32 mile range radar, and if you use the radar when sailing.. You can also see approaching weather a bit further away, though I suspect that is a pretty small benefit. The downside of the height is that the beam from the radar passes over anything relatively close to the boat. Newer style digital radars are really good at seeing smaller objects, like an anchored boat at night or channel markers and pilings in restricted waters. I use my radar mostly for entering harbor and navigating in a channel, so I'm looking for objects like pilings and ATONs that are 1/4 mile away in the dark or the fog - rather than trying to see a tanker on the ocean. That's why I mounted my radar antenna on a pole near the stern, with the antenna about 14 feet above water level so it shoots out above the dodger, bimini and boom - and above anyone standing on the deck. My mounting pole is made from schedule 40 stainless pipe, the alternative was schedule 80 aluminum. Given the looseness that we had to deal with due to wave action on the way to Bermuda a couple of years ago, I rally doubt that a mount could be made from PVC. The mounting base for my pole came from Edson, as did the top plate the antenna, and the backup VHF antenna, GPS antenna, and a couple of other things are mounted to. Rick Brass Washington, NC -----Original Message----- From: Stus-List <[email protected]> Sent: Jul 10, 2021 9:55 PM To: Stus-List <[email protected]> Cc: Neil Gallagher <[email protected]>, Korbey Hunt <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Re: Radar Mount I bought a mount from West marine. I plan to mount it on an 8 ft 5" pvc pipe. Get Outlook for Android From: Neil Gallagher via CnC-List <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2021 2:58:52 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Cc: Neil Gallagher <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Re: Radar Mount I'm quite interested in this question as well, I bought a Raymarine Quantum 2 and am debating how to mount it. Supposed to be safer regarding zapping people. Garhauer makes a nice looking stern-mount radar mast, it allows you to set the angle when on a tack, not a gimbal. But they told me they're delivery time is a least four weeks right now, can't get materials. https://www.garhauermarine.com/transom-hardware-accessories/radar-towers-accessories.html Anyone build a radar tower as DIY? Neil Gallagher Weatherly 35-1 Glen Cove, NY On 7/10/2021 3:45 PM, Korbey Hunt via CnC-List wrote: I know it is traditional to mount radar on the mast but I am thinking of mounting it on a post on the stern with an antenna farm. Any thoughts on this option? Get Outlook for Android Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
