Cockpit Mic Installation

[bumblefish]

I am planning on installing my Standard Horizon GX 2100 this week and fitting the remote mic in the cockpit. Any general advice on installation, positioning, pitfalls, e.t.c. would be welcome?

 

[Coaster]

Are you wheel or tiller steering? In either case make sure the mic is easy for the helm to reach. I've put our Icom mic on the steering pedestal, having routed the cable up through the engine compartment (centre cockpit boat).

 

[GeorgeLlewellin]

My brother had one of these, and I have a cockpit command mike on order. On the bulkhead under the spray hood is a good place, but it depends on your boat and if you have tiller or wheel steering. Try to find a sheltered spot but whatever you do avoid anywhere where it can get entangled in a flailing sheet. John’s did just that and was whacked left and right several times before we had it under control. At first we both thought it would have to be replaced, but it was not cracked or seriously marked and worked just as well as before. George.

 

[SJF]

On our Moody 31 (tiller steered) our Icom remote mic is mounted in the bulkhead under the sprayhood as has been mentioned. Its a good place for it and is working well (it is helpful to be able to speak into it slightly sheltered from the wind), just a thought for you when considering where to put it is if it will have any effect on the compass, in a moment of not thinking I very nearly mounted it right next to our bulkhead mounted compass just because the cable run was easier! Luckily I went away and had a think about it before actually drilling any holes! It is now mounted on the opposite side of the cockpit May also be relevant if your compass is on a wheel pedastal also.

 

[bumblefish]

Thanks, tiller steering and mainsheet track is immediatley aft of companionway? Compass on port so has to be starboard. I already have the old autohelm st repeaters there and so was thinking of mounting above these but the mainsheet might be an issue?

 

[Coaster]

The ever-useful Yachtsnet archive has a photo of the Elizabethan 30 cockpit.

Is your boat like this?

If so there seems to be space on the starboard side of the cockpit forward bulkhead. Can you reach there when helming? If so it would seem a good spot.

 

[vyv_cox]

Having been in the position that I needed to communicate with the coastguard during an emergency when motoring singlehanded I would recommend that you should be able to do this easily. On my tiller-steered boat the remote microphone is on the forward side of the stern locker. The Standard Horizon one is waterproof, as is the plug and socket. Mine remains in place from May to October and has never given any problem in the three years since fitting.

 

[bumblefish]

Mine is not as tidy!

 

[fireball]

It needs to be somewhere you can grab it whilst helming ... but isn't in the way if someone else is using it whilst you're helming.
The built in speaker is pretty good - we didn't bother wiring up the external speaker ...

 

[bumblefish]

The output for the autohelm is on the aft of the starboard locker so that is a thought, easy access from the tiller on all points and, hopefully of of the way from feet?

 

[gasdave]

I would echo Vyv's recommendation. Mine is also a SH (fully weatherproof) and is mounted on the stern, convenient for tiller steering, out of the way of any flailing bits and doesn't interfere with feet/legs/etc.. These units have good speakers so hearing it shouldn't be a problem unless it's really blowing something awful.

 

[SJF]

As I'm currently sat on the boat I thought it may be helpful to show where we have ours mounted. For us this was the best place for it, every boat is going to be different in what will work and what won't...

 

[Malish]

another one for the aft end of the cockpit, sits out there in all weathers when we are sailing, just make sure it does not impede locker opening. Put below away from tea leaves when not on the boat.

 

[prv]

I just moved the VHF itself to the deckhead next to the hatch. Can be operated from below or above, including from the helm. In a boat with the classic quarter-berth / chart-table layout right under the companionway, this seems like a good approach. Obviously the command mic is the only option if you have a big AWB with the aft cabin door and the heads between the hatch and the below-decks instruments.

Moonfire's point about thieves is a good one I hadn't considered - my radio remains as safe as it's going to get on a pontoon that any scrote can row up to.

Pete

 

[Coaster]

I just moved the VHF itself to the deckhead next to the hatch...

As said above, make sure you can easily reach and use the mic when helming. That may not only be vital in an emergency but it also allows easy changing of channel. We often change channel, briefly, for coastguard announcements etc.

 

[davidwf]

Just fitted a GX2100 to my boat yesterday, be careful with the remote handset it's not magnetically shielded so will affect the compass if fitted on a binacle. I fitted mine by the engine controls on a Beneteau 31, as boat is wheel steered I can easily sit down and use the mic whilst helming.

So far very pleased with the radio.

Watch out for the supplied cutting out template though! its too small, download one from US website before you go to the boat

 

[bumblefish]

How are you getting on with the AIS?

 

[MonniotC]

Don't do what I did. I mounted it on the side of the starboard cockpit locker at the aft end. It was only later, when I was swilling buckets of water around, cleaning up ****ehawk offerings that I realised that it was directly under the locker lid scuttle, and therefore subject to a constant stream of water when it's raining. I'm just about to relocate it.

 

[davidwf]

Picture of where I fitted the RAM 3 mic, been out today and its working well, the AIS is very good but I have switched alarms off on the radio and will switch them on and off on the plotter when I need the AIS operating.

 

[PabloPicasso]

My SH Ram mic is under the tiller on the rear bulhead of the cockpit. So I can easily reach it from port and starboard helm positins if needed. Was easy to fit with the SH extension cable. Has proved useful to.

Next job is to find a way to fit my plotter where I can see it from the helm. But that's another story