Radar Antenna Mounting

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:32 am

Ok...lets throw this one out there. I am about to add a Radar to my 33 FBC. I have a half tower , and the plate and all is already up there. These boats like to run a bit bow up, so have any of you got a closed array mounted flat that works with no problem, or have any of you got them mounted with a 4 degree wedge to keep the antenna flat while running???? I lean toward the latter, but why put anymore $ and work into it, unless there is a major improvement. E.W. Dugan

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 6:44 am

You know thats a good question. Since I'm having a hardtop installed I decided to buy a new radar and have it mounted on top of the arch at the back of the bridge. It will be mounted on a bracket. I know that my current radar, which is mounted in front of the bridge is nearly level when the boat is at rest so I'm assuming that a wedge is not needed. I'm getting the boat back this weekedn (hopefully!) so I'll let ou know. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:21 pm

Well, my hardtop has the radar mounted flat. One of my future projects is to ADD a wedge. From reading past discussions, radar projects a horizontal 25 degree beam. That means only 12.5 degrees is pointing down from the horizontal. If you're running 4 degrees bow up, then you're losing a third of your look ahead ability & gaining a third more of looking at your WAKE. Practically, that means you are losing close in look-ahead. My dome is 16.5' above the waterline. If I'm running along & bounce over a wake or a swell, a close in bouy will disappear off the screen. If you had the dome on a center console about 8' above the water, it might not make that much of a difference. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:41 am

I was leaning toward the wedge. Not sure it it was 4 degrees or not, that is probably a good guess. Just wanted to know if others had used one or not. A friend on mine has a 37 Silverton with a 48mi Furuno open array. On some of our crossings, he doesn't even see me unless he's a mile away. When I see him go by, the array apprears to be looking at clouds, not water. Great for looking for Birds and rain. E.W. Dugan

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:55 am

I just spoke with the guy who's installing my radar on the hardtop. He said the bracket he uses already has a 5 degree angle built into it. I hope that it is enough. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:17 am

Doug, When you get a chance find out who the mfg. of the bracket is. I'll take a look. I'm trying not to add height. The CG put all the South Fla. bridges on a schedule. Right now I can get under most of the local ones. But I don't want to get stuck waiting. I need 16 ft without the Radar, so If I can keep it down to about 17.5 I should be OK. E.W. Dugan

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:44 am

E.W., I'll try and findout for you. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:52 pm

I'm getting ready to add that new Garmin radar. How did the 5 degree angle work for you, and did you ever find out the manufacturer of the mounting bracket with the angle built in? Thanks, Sean quote:Originally posted by dougl33 E.W., I'll try and findout for you. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:13 am

No..never found out. Of coarse todays project is a new hotwater heater. need a auto pilot, need new risers. so radar is last on the list...again Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:04 am

When i had my half tower made the fabricator made a custom platform for my closed array and yes it was at an angle. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:23 am

Sorry guys. I completely forgot about this thread and that I had some follow up to do. I still have the guys phone number so I will try and call him tomorrow. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 12:58 pm

I ended up ordering a 12" tall flat stand, couldn't find one with a built-in angle. Does anyone know where to get the stainless steel wedge shims? Seemingly 5 degrees is the concensus on the correct angle? thx

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:49 am

My Garmin Radar arrived today, in a really big box. So, anybody have any advice to offer on the correct angle to mount it on the top, to correct for the planing attitude? Of course want it to see well when planing and when sitting still/trolling. I'm thinking 5 degrees but would feel better with some first hand experience, if anyone is willing to share some. quote:Originally posted by Sean Burlingham I ended up ordering a 12" tall flat stand, couldn't find one with a built-in angle. Does anyone know where to get the stainless steel wedge shims? Seemingly 5 degrees is the concensus on the correct angle?

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:18 am

Still haven't been able to get in touch with the guy that mounted my radar. Last summer he did tell me that the angle was 5 degrees. It worked very well. I'll keep trying him. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:46 am

I was able to dermine that, in my particular case of mouning the radar on the center of the top, it doesn't matter. The Garmin 4KW array I've bought looks 12.5 degrees up and down from (its) horizontal. After a little trigonometry I found that 12.5 degrees means if I put a 12" tall bracket on the center of my top, the radar will peek down just over the edge of my top both fore and aft. If I put in a wedge to change the starting angle then I have to mount it higher to see over the top. What would be the point in that? Running angle shouldn't matter- can't do any better than looking just over the edge of the hardtop.