Where to put VHF in 16' Cruiser

W

Wood Zeppelin

New member
I'm installing a new VHF into a 16' Cruiser. An obvious place to put it would be on top of the horizontal flat surface forward of the steering wheel. BUT, I find that to be a very useful place to put other stuff, and the VHF rarely gets used.

Could in go vertically mounted on the vertical surface or "bulkhead" that the steering wheel comes out of? If so, which side, Port or Starboard? And also "which side", Fore or Aft?

Any thoughts?
 
Some fixed high output (25 watts) VHF have microphones with controls, such as LCD read out of channel, channel up and down, volume, squelch etc. That way you can put the "radio" anywhere you want. If it does not have the remote mic, then mount anywhere you can see the face for channel. Yes it would be fine to put it outboard even on the side of the hull (epoxy a mounting board to screw into, before you put the mount on)

the VHF rarely gets used.
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The VHF radio should be on Channel 16 whenever the boat is running. Often I will leave it on 16 when at anchor also. Safety and alert messages are given on channel 16, and you need to hear these.

You should have any other people who are on the boat know how to operate the radio in case of an emergency. (Same for operating the boat, if the principle operator is disabled.).

One of the first things we did when I married Marie, was to enroll both of us in a CG boating class, and also personally instruct her how to handle the boat. This has come in very handy, and even life saving.
 
Personally I would mount it up above eye level. Easier to see and still see what is going on around you than if you are looking down inside the boat. Standard Horizon radios, have a dual purpose mic, and you can hold that to your ear and hear the replies, so it is easier to do that if the radio is where you can use the mic with the non dominant hand. Also, if it is up and toward the center, it is easier for a passenger to use if you are engaged in serious navigational issues.

And Yes, it should be ON and on 16.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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