mounting a radar radome

[gimmesunshine]

I am mounting a raymarine 2kw radome on my s28 radar arch. I have seen others mount them in between the n shape of the light tower. It will fit but does this have any effect on perfomance having a stainless tube either side of it. Could it create blind spots? Never fitted or used before so I am very new to radar.
Any thoughts or experiences please....

 

[Nick_H]

Can't comment on the S28, but many boats, including mine, have a stainless gantry with tubes either side of the radome and it doesn't seem to affect the radar.

 

[omega2]

Agree, but try to keep any gps, radio, airiels out of the line of fire, and of course your head if you have a fly bridge

 

[Strake]

I have a Raymarine 2kw on my S28. The stainless steel "gantry" was raised by a couple of inches and the radome fitted underneath. Next to the dome, is the TV aerial, gps head, AIS aerial....none of which appear to be affected adversely. The radar also works fine.

 

[Strake]

Pic
This might help

 

[ported0]

you look like you were having a good day

 

[Strake]

They're all like that.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Of course, I wasn't drinking...I was taking the pictures.

 

[spannerman]

Don't forget to place spacers under the rear mounts so its level when under way,as your boat will run with a bow up attitude otherwise all you will do is paint the sky ahead and the sea behind. Its covered in the mounting instructions.

 

[goodwin71]

hi, you can buy extentions for your stainless arch from sealine at hamble, when fitting your raydome, make sure to use the rubber washers, if you dont use these your warranty will become void! if your GPS or TV aerial are in the way of the radar they will not work! but your radar will. remember to raise the back of the unit with plastic washer supplied to ensure you get the correct reading on you screen. i hope that answers your question.

 

[[2068]]

You don't need spacers at the rear on the S28 arch - under way it is very close to level.

dv.

 

[gimmesunshine]

Thanks for the replies will bear all this mind, useful. Dealer reckons in theory you may get blind spots but in practice with boat roling aorund this will be minimal. I may fabricate some mounting blocks and hinges to help lower the tower to ease access under poole bridge, thanks again

 

[[2068]]

Hmm, not too sure about the hinged bit -

1.) There's a surprising amount of cabling actually inside the stainless steel hoop thing.

2.) Whatever you do up there needs to be 100% waterproof - the top of the arch is a plywood and fibreglass sandwich. Any water getting in will wet the wood (not good), and either go straight into the clamshell bit then into the cockpit (also not good) or wet the three halogen lights before going down the hollow arch sides (even worse)...

dv.