Hi Guys,
Looking for some suggestions on securing a fixed mount VHF on an open center console boat. Under normal circumstances I would say bracket mount it and remove it every time, but I noticed two things:
1) Most of the connectors at the back of most fixed VHFs are not designed to be unplugged every time. Even if you use bullet connectors etc you are stressing those joints each time and you don't want your VHF failing when you need it the most.
2) If you have a DSC VHF and are taking a NMEA 0183 feed from your GPS to relay GPS position information over the DSC VHF in the event of a distress call, the comms wires used to pass this information are very thin, so again you would need to be using bullet connectors or similar.
I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with some kind of connector that one could use for the power and NMEA contacts which is designed to be plugged and unplugged all the time. The antenna shouldn't be an issue as PL239's simply unscrew and then pull off.
The other alternative is to mount this in the center console, fixed and leave it there, but then of course the worry is theft. Even though DSC VHFs should be programmed with a unique MMSI number, which would render the unit pretty useless on another boat, most people are still not using MMSI numbers.
Any suggestions?
Nick i unplug mine everytime and never had problems. I am sure if u call at Gzira u will find a screw type connector...
Do you use a NEMA 0183 feed from your GPS or is your VHF not DSC based?
nope not DSC
Not much I can say will help. I always unplug my VHF after use. You hear too many stories of breakins at the Marina pontoons that its simply not worth it. However, you could visit Fabians down at Gzira and ask for male/female connector/s albeit heavy duty, that could do the trick