Horn

Len · Post by **Len** » Apr 27th, '10, 09:33

I am thinking of mounting a horn somewhere. (On a sailboat you say?) This is tied into my getting (?) a new radio with a hailing function. It would be nice to actually be able to blast the correct fog signal . The only place i can think of that would work is somewhere on the mast (near the spreaders?) On an arch would be easy but I don't have an arch. Any suggestions ? What is the difference/advantages of electronic gizmos that "play" the correct tune and the same function built into the vessels radio?
Would I also like to us that noise for other reasons? Occasionally !!!

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Apr 27th, '10, 10:52

Hi Len,

We added a speaker on Mahalo when we upgraded the radio since it has a built-in hailer function. The speaker is mounted below the radar on the mast. It is attached to the radar mount using a piece of white King Starboard. We use the fog horn function on a regular basis. The fog horn works well, you just need to remember to turn it off when the fog lifts. Mounted up high and forward it isn't that loud in the cockpit. It is rather loud out in front of the boat. Nemo doesn't like it much. Melissa won't allow me to use the hailer!

<img width="540" src="http://www.sailmahalo.com/picture_colle ... Cove_2.JPG">

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Apr 27th, '10, 11:31

Funny how the boats in this thread so far are in Maine.

You would think Melissa would want you to use the hailer. There would never be any yelling from the helm, just the voice from above, Steve.

Klem · Post by **Klem** » Apr 27th, '10, 13:09

On the mast is probably the best place. One thing to be careful of, some of the radios with built in hailer/fog signal stop monitoring the radio when you start sounding a fog signal. The standard horizon radio that was on a boat that I worked on would do this and we didn't realize it at first until we noticed that there didn't seem to be any securite calls so we turned on another radio to 16 and all of a sudden heard it.

It is too bad that they designed at least that one radio that way since the one time when you really want to monitor the radio is when you are sounding fog signals.

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Apr 27th, '10, 13:45

The ICOM we have still let's you monitor the radio while doing the foghorn thing, BUT if you speak into the radio (i.e. push the transmit button) it turns off the foghorn. So you have to remember to turn it back on again when you are done......

What I like about the auto-foghorn is that it seems to actually get peoples attention - they steer clear thinking you are a lot bigger than you are

And, no bell-ringing or whistling on a timer.

Len · Post by **Len** » Apr 27th, '10, 16:01

You've all convinced me ! Any recommendations as to type/size/brand ? A twenty inch double horn seems to be a bit much but there's no point in putting up a tiny squeeker either. I better go wire the mast as least before they step it.

Len

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Apr 27th, '10, 16:37

Where ever you mount it, make sure it is forward of the cockpit. They are VERY loud, so somewhere forward is better. Otherwise you'll scare the crap out of yourself everytime you use the thing.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
PS: We had fog last night!

Len · Post by **Len** » Apr 27th, '10, 19:08

For some reason hailers have more functions but cost less than horns. Hailers are plastic, horns are chrome plated. Suggestions please. Also I need to run a wire probably before I get the "thing" or else it ain't a goin in this year.

Len

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Apr 28th, '10, 13:18

This is the one we installed:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... 9&id=94646

Been on there a few years, seems to be wearing well....

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Apr 28th, '10, 14:36

FYI: Our radio is an Icom 504. The speaker wire is just standard duplex boat wire, I think I used 14/2 because that is what I had on hand at the time.

Len · Post by **Len** » Apr 28th, '10, 21:47

Thank you. Or shoulod I say Hail To Thee....

Len

The Cape Dory Board

Horn

Horn

Hailer

Convinced

Hailer or horn

HAil