Where to mount new radio?
 

Santa showed w/ a new VHF radio for the boat, an 88' V-20 cuddy. The current radio is an Apelco and has been sitting on the port dash for years but still works but the speaker is getting hard to hear. I was thinking of mounting this radio in the cabin, on the bulkhead. Appears that if I mount it on the port side that I could see and operate all controls from the helm. What do you guys think. I could just put it up on the dash where the other one is but then again I think it might be nice to get it out of the weather. As for my other electonics, I have a Furuno 600l mounted on the port dash facing the helm and a Navman plotter on a custom bracket to the right of th helm. Current radio is mounted all the way to the port side and I cannot see or operate it from the helm. What do you guys think?

Airslot

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

My vote goes towards; In the cabin. ;)

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Mine is in the cabin. I have a remote speaker, and I can not see the controls. But I stay on one channel most of the time anyway.
When I get a new radio I will buy one with the controls on the mike this way I will have full control and still have the radio in the cabin.
Did you get a gift receipt?? Maybe you could bring back and get one with the mike controls?? Just a thought.

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Mine's in the cabin on the starboard side. Can't see the controls, but I can hear it fine w/o an external speaker. Real estate at the helm is too valuable for the radio.

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Mine's flush-mounted in the bulkhead just below and left of helm with mike on left of dash...used hailer/horn($15) for remote speaker...clear as a bell ;D

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards the cabin, port side, but not positive yet. I got an idea from Simple Gesture in the gallery. I need to do something with the port side dash, it looks terrible and has lots of holes. May cover it with 1/2" starboard cut so that it over hangs the dash by 2" and then flush mount the radio through the bulkhead under the new lip. OOOh, the winter projects are piling up. Have to get at them in a couple weeks 'cause the fishing is red hot right now. Easily catchin 1000 lbs a day if your willing to reel em in. Gotta love them big cow bass.

Later,

Airslot

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

When I bought my v21, the radio was on inside starboard cuddy wall.

Put my new radio on port dash. Mike mounts on both inside and outside of door.
I like it there because I because I like to leave it on scan, and I can see the channel from anywhere in the cockpit. I can operate it from the helm or my crew can operate it from the port seat. The windshield offers great spray/weather protection, and I keep boat covered when not in use. Besides, the newer radios are more waterproof than the older ones. Far enuff from the compass so that I am sure any interferance is insignificant.

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Mine, like SK's was the original radio (1990) and was mounted inside on the starboard cuddy wall. I mounted my new radio left and below the steering wheel. Its protected and I too store my boat covered. Bill Mc ;D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...RadioMount.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...y/Helm2004.jpg

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

Airslot, How do you like your furuno 600l ive been reading that the 400l is the same on the inside just its black&white not color. $200 vs $600 Does anybody have the 400l is the quality that bad or just that color that good... Next im onto vhf and antenna got no eclectronics on the boat ... I do like my garmin handheld 76s

Re: Where to mount new radio?
 

I've seen alot of V-20s and if I had a dollar for every V20 I saw w/ the radio mounted where 'Mac_Attack' put his, I'd be rich.

The collective concience seems to have centered around this place. Inside the cabin is nice for longevity of the unit, but you dont have ready access to all the controls like the display that tells you what CH you are on. On the other hand, you prob don't want to cut a 6" X 3" hole in a bulkhead just for that easy access. A good compromise is to use the U-bracket as he has done. Also, how many other pieces of electronics can be mounted down there that way?

Also, you prob want a weatherproof unit so you dont have to take it out all the time. Should'nt be an issue in that most units are waterproof now anyway.