mast mounted radar

orientalnc2010 · #1 12-16-2008

I've pretty much decided, until I change mt mind again, to mount my 2kw radome on the mast of my crealock 31. If I mount it at the spreaders it will just be over the deck light, seems like it may be too close and may interfere with the top of the staysail. This is 18' off the deck. If I mount it over the tang of the inner forestay then it will be 26' high on a 37' mast, seems too high.
Another option would be to mount it under the spreaders and away from the top of the inner forestay but this would block the deck light.
Does anyone wish they had mounted the dome in a different location on the mast?

Norstar · #2 12-16-2008

Steve,
We installed the mast mount just above the spreaders on our 34. I added a roller furling unit later on the staysail and it was a bit close to the radome but still workable. Mounting it higher would add more weight aloft without much benefit in range. Everything is a tradeoff but all things considered, I still prefer mast mount over pole or backstay mount.
John
PSC 34 "Norstar"

Bene505 · #3 12-16-2008

I have similar plans, except I want as much range as possible and have been asking "why not" mount the radar very high up.

There's another recent thread that covers some this. Search for "radar" would probably show it.

JohnRPollard · #4 12-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bene505

I have similar plans, except I want as much range as possible and have been asking "why not" mount the radar very high up.

Bene,

Sometimes too high can limit your view of close-in targets. Get some good info on this before you decide placement.

Steve,

I don't have an exact hight measurement on our antenna, but as you can see from this photo it is mounted a few feet below the spreader. It has never interfered with our roller furler staysail (not shown). A previous owner installed it, so it's a mid-90's vintage unit, but we've been happy with the performance.

P.S. Forgive the two-tone canvas -- we are in the process of converting over to the khaki.

orientalnc2010 · #5 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard;41836

Steve,

I don't have an exact hight measurement on our antenna, but as you can see from this photo it is mounted a few feet below the spreader.

[IMG

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3114156031_b71c792dfa.jpg[/IMG]

Hi John,
Nice pic, Is it a problem for you that the deck light is blocked by the dome?
BTW we chose toast for our canvas, the kaki does look nice with the striking green topsides.

Bene505 · #6 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Bene,

Sometimes too high can limit your view of close-in targets. Get some good info on this before you decide placement.
...

You know, I've actually been thinking about the mast track that I have. I could conceivably mount the radar above the deck light and adjust it for the height that I want. And if that height doesnt work (e/g too high for close-in), I can adjust it until it's about right.

Does anyone ever use the mast track that's intended for spinnaker poles, for mounting their radar?

I would think they are strong enough considering the forces that spinnakers put on thier poles.

orientalnc2010 · #7 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bene505

I have similar plans, except I want as much range as possible and have been asking "why not" mount the radar very high up.

There's another recent thread that covers some this. Search for "radar" would probably show it.

Hi Bene,
Weight aloft is a concern for me esp since my boat is small, I was seriously considering a stern ploe mount just for this reason. Since my mast is deck stepped I will have to get a DRI PLUG so I can seperate the cable when I unstep the mast.

orientalnc2010 · #8 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norstar

Steve,
We installed the mast mount just above the spreaders on our 34. I added a roller furling unit later on the staysail and it was a bit close to the radome but still workable.
John
PSC 34 "Norstar"

Hi John,
If you had it to do over again, would you move the dome lower?

Bene505 · #9 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by orientalnc2010

Hi Bene,
Weight aloft is a concern for me esp since my boat is small, I was seriously considering a stern ploe mount just for this reason. Since my mast is deck stepped I will have to get a DRI PLUG so I can seperate the cable when I unstep the mast.

Giuletta started a good thread on that too, it's only a couple weeks old. There were some good ideas passed around. He was/is looking for a removable stern mounted pole.

JohnRPollard · #10 12-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by orientalnc2010

Hi John,
Nice pic, Is it a problem for you that the deck light is blocked by the dome?
BTW we chose toast for our canvas, the kaki does look nice with the striking green topsides.

Yes, it was a problem, so a new deck light was installed below the radome. Problem solved.

Our canvas is "toast" also, I guess I was just referring to it generically as khaki.

Unfortunately, the topsides are only striking after a recent buffing!