mick54321
New Member
Iam just about to fit a Furuno 1623 radar and would like any info on how high it is mounted on the mast?
radar dome height
- Thread starter mick54321
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Rabbie
Well-Known Member
I'm amazed they don't tell you in the manual!
mick54321
New Member
Coundnt find it in manual, is it better higher or lower ?
jb2006
Well-Known Member
I would mount it so that the beam is just above head height when standing on the cockpit seats - this will minimise windage and scatter from the waves but you'll never have to consider whether you are frying your eyeballs. In fact the power of leisure marine radar is not enough to hurt you if you are more than about a metre from the scanner anyway - unless you are staring at it for a long period.
What height will it foul the foresail least ?
Ours is on a cockpit strut - we do try not to stand on the cockpit seats when the radar is on though
What height will it foul the foresail least ?
Ours is on a cockpit strut - we do try not to stand on the cockpit seats when the radar is on though
steve6367
Well-Known Member
It is a trade off between range and keeping still. Most people go for just over spreader height.
In practise with the available range of height it won’t make a great deal of difference.
Do consider the head sail and how it will interact with the dome when tacking too.
Steve
In practise with the available range of height it won’t make a great deal of difference.
Do consider the head sail and how it will interact with the dome when tacking too.
Steve
BAtoo
Well-Known Member
Using a transom strut I put mine about 1 foot above my head height (tallest normally on board) when standing on the cockpit coaming.
boatmike
Well-Known Member
There are conflicting effects. Too low down and there is possibly a safety issue with a high powered antenna but unlikely a problem with a yachtie one above about 4 metres high. Too high and as people have pointed out here before you will get increased sea clutter but unless you are above about 15 metres this really isn't an issue. Too low and you will reduce the range drastically when heeled more than 15 degrees to leeward as it will be looking at the sea. Too high there is possibly an issue with weight up the mast with a very small yacht but this is unlikely to be a problem at 30ft LOA or bigger.
Usually if you have an inner forestay, people mount it above that. Failing that at about the spreaders. Unless you are pitching or rolling excessively the movement of the antenna at that height is not an issue and you will get a range which is probably all that the power of the set can handle anyway.
Usually if you have an inner forestay, people mount it above that. Failing that at about the spreaders. Unless you are pitching or rolling excessively the movement of the antenna at that height is not an issue and you will get a range which is probably all that the power of the set can handle anyway.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Steve's advice is good: would add that access is important, consistent with reasonable operating height, as is installation.
If fitting with raised mast, connsider the height reached by your best ladder - probabaly just over first spreaders. There you can work in stability and ensure the cable is properly fitted etc - no chafe. You will be riveting so need a good purchase for the job.
Finally, the right height is also good for he annual checkout - clean up, and lightly grease the rotating parts without blundering about in a bosums chair and risking a collision with delicate parts exposed when the radome top if off. Most folks ignore this part and just hope the radome will work for years without having to open it up and maintain it (see manual!)
I advise you to ignore all the scaremongering about radiation, adding too much weight to the mast, spoiling the trim of the boat and all the rubbish that clings to this subject like chewing gum to London streets. Radar is a terrific device and you are to be congratulated for installing it rather than some lesser toy!
PWG
If fitting with raised mast, connsider the height reached by your best ladder - probabaly just over first spreaders. There you can work in stability and ensure the cable is properly fitted etc - no chafe. You will be riveting so need a good purchase for the job.
Finally, the right height is also good for he annual checkout - clean up, and lightly grease the rotating parts without blundering about in a bosums chair and risking a collision with delicate parts exposed when the radome top if off. Most folks ignore this part and just hope the radome will work for years without having to open it up and maintain it (see manual!)
I advise you to ignore all the scaremongering about radiation, adding too much weight to the mast, spoiling the trim of the boat and all the rubbish that clings to this subject like chewing gum to London streets. Radar is a terrific device and you are to be congratulated for installing it rather than some lesser toy!
PWG
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