GPS on a CD36

[Gene Courteau]

Dear CD36 owners who have a GPS on board with a fixed antenna. how did you mount the unit and where did you install the antenna. I currently have a loran with the antenna installed on the aft railing. I'm not sure if I can intall a GPS antenna in the same general area without causing a problem. The previous owner installed the radar monitor on an arm that swings out so as to be viewed from the cockpit. I can't figure out how I will mount the receiver of a GPS so I can view it from the cockpit. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Gene
"Mahalo" CD36



courteau@capecod.net

[Roald Horton]

Gene

I mounted a hand held Garmin GPS at the helm (which is the only place you will find it useful under way) in a bracket made for the unit. It can be removed from the helm position and moved below if the occasion arises or for securing it. I have another bracket there with power and antenna connections.

As for the external antenna, I routed an antenna lead from both the nav station and the helm via a coax tee up through the deck and stern rail to the same exit stub used for the stern light. The antenna wire is not exposed to the elements except where it attaches to the antenna. I mounted the antenna on a 1 ft long piece of internally threaded 1 in ss tubing attached to the stern rail with a Railmount fitting. The reason for the short piece of tubing was to keep the antenna from becoming a hand hold for anyone coming up the swim ladder.

This arrangement has been used in fair weather and foul, inshore and offshore for the last nine years with no problems.

Roald Horton
"SeaScape" Hull No 57

Dear CD36 owners who have a GPS on board with a fixed antenna. how did you mount the unit and where did you install the antenna. I currently have a loran with the antenna installed on the aft railing. I'm not sure if I can intall a GPS antenna in the same general area without causing a problem. The previous owner installed the radar monitor on an arm that swings out so as to be viewed from the cockpit. I can't figure out how I will mount the receiver of a GPS so I can view it from the cockpit. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Gene
"Mahalo" CD36

roald@toad.net

[warren]

Dear CD36 owners who have a GPS on board with a fixed antenna. how did you mount the unit and where did you install the antenna. I currently have a loran with the antenna installed on the aft railing. I'm not sure if I can intall a GPS antenna in the same general area without causing a problem. The previous owner installed the radar monitor on an arm that swings out so as to be viewed from the cockpit. I can't figure out how I will mount the receiver of a GPS so I can view it from the cockpit. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Gene
"Mahalo" CD36

Gene,

you might consider the Garmin GPS 126, which has an internal antenna but is a fixed mount externally powered unit. If nounted at the binnacle, I do not know what the effect on compass deviation will be. I have used a Garmin handheld unit next to the binnacke without a problem, but the fixed unit and power wires might be a different animal.

Warren



wstringer@aristotle.net

[Chris Reinke]

Gene - I recently installed a Furuno GP30 on my CD330. I mounted the antenna on a SS bracket off my stern mounted radar post. The manufacturer provided very explicit mounting instructions indicating minimum proximity to other electronic devices or structures. It had to be a minmum of 3 feet from my Loran antenna. I mounted the monitor at my navigation station and connected it to my Radar via the communication port. This connection allows me to leave the GPS at the navigation station while I input my points, and then view the various GPS screens on my Radar monitor. I have no need to move the GPS to the helm and can monitor all relevant navigational information on the one radar panel. I would suggest you contact the various GPS manufactures directly to determine the mounting limitations and communication abilities. Perhaps you can utilize your existing swing arm mounted radar as a dual monitor and avoid the trouble and clutter of additional helm mounted items.

FYI - The Raytheon technical department recommended the Furuno unit I purchased as a lower cost alternative to the models they offered. The Raytheon units are of exceptional quality, but included many options I did not find to be needed, nor willing to pay for.

Dear CD36 owners who have a GPS on board with a fixed antenna. how did you mount the unit and where did you install the antenna. I currently have a loran with the antenna installed on the aft railing. I'm not sure if I can intall a GPS antenna in the same general area without causing a problem. The previous owner installed the radar monitor on an arm that swings out so as to be viewed from the cockpit. I can't figure out how I will mount the receiver of a GPS so I can view it from the cockpit. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Gene
"Mahalo" CD36

Chris.reinke@transamerica.com