Mike195MA
Active Member
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 32
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2022
- Boat Model
- FSH Sport
- Boat Length
- 19
In prepping to do some more fishing further from shore, I knew I needed better range with my VHF radio. I looked all over and couldn't find a detailed post about how some have installed radio antennas on their soft-top towers. So here's what I did... It's not the final install, ultimately I will end up upgrading the board thickness and cleanly routing a beveled edge if I like the way this performs and I'll route the wire through the tower then - for now it'll be zip-tied to the tower.
![IMG_3212.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204467-ef7b011d3ad636f6261fe436ca015c59.jpg)
Supplies:
![IMG_3203.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204468-c8538e4b62b013ac8f98f6be44322535.jpg)
I moved the anchor light to the left, using the hole already drilled and tapped in the right mounting hole of the light and then drilled and tapped a new one for the left mounting hole. Expanded the original light hole on the right to a 1/4-20 for the antenna and drilled a second hole for the ratchet mount. After the board was now locked in place, I went around and drilled and tapped 4 holes on each side and one on each rear corner, sealing them with caulk as I secured the screws.
![IMG_3202.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204470-fe5f9ae571db077162cbc0277d839cb2.jpg)
I ran a bead of white caulk along the front of the board to help hold it in place - unfortunately I misjudged my board placement by 1/2" and was too far back to confidently screw into the front frame under the board. Let's pray the silicone works well for this test version/template.
![IMG_3204.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204472-5cef90b4434816549ba3ebf46d619cf5.jpg)
The slight curvature of the framing really helped to stiffen up this thin 1/4" board - but it also slightly splays out the antenna and light instead of being completely vertical.
![IMG_3205.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204471-eb7443a2bb8adef53c2ad7a96d6fb406.jpg)
![IMG_3211.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204473-788dcadc0696041039fffde1ffc5d3de.jpg)
Two things I'm watching for next time I go out...
![IMG_3212.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204467-ef7b011d3ad636f6261fe436ca015c59.jpg)
Supplies:
- 1/4" PVC 24"x48" Sheet
- 10-24 Stainless Screws (tap and drill bits)
- Tram VHF antenna with AIS
- White silicone
- Screwdrivers, razor knive, tape measure, blah blah blah
![IMG_3203.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204468-c8538e4b62b013ac8f98f6be44322535.jpg)
I moved the anchor light to the left, using the hole already drilled and tapped in the right mounting hole of the light and then drilled and tapped a new one for the left mounting hole. Expanded the original light hole on the right to a 1/4-20 for the antenna and drilled a second hole for the ratchet mount. After the board was now locked in place, I went around and drilled and tapped 4 holes on each side and one on each rear corner, sealing them with caulk as I secured the screws.
![IMG_3202.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204470-fe5f9ae571db077162cbc0277d839cb2.jpg)
I ran a bead of white caulk along the front of the board to help hold it in place - unfortunately I misjudged my board placement by 1/2" and was too far back to confidently screw into the front frame under the board. Let's pray the silicone works well for this test version/template.
![IMG_3204.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204472-5cef90b4434816549ba3ebf46d619cf5.jpg)
The slight curvature of the framing really helped to stiffen up this thin 1/4" board - but it also slightly splays out the antenna and light instead of being completely vertical.
![IMG_3205.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204471-eb7443a2bb8adef53c2ad7a96d6fb406.jpg)
![IMG_3211.jpeg](https://jetboaters.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachments/204/204473-788dcadc0696041039fffde1ffc5d3de.jpg)
Two things I'm watching for next time I go out...
- How noisy will the canvas be, possibly slapping against the PVC while at speed on the water?
- Will the air flow through the canvas be impeded by covering up the cut outs in the back of the canvas? Will this make it act more like a parachute, holding air