How to Install a VHF Radio

A VHF radio is your communications lifeline in crossing situations, meeting situations and passing situations. If you need to contact local law enforcement or if you find yourself stranded and need to call for a boat to tow you into the marina, your VHF radio is the best, and sometimes only, way to make contact.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver Set of combination wrenches VHF radio and mounting hardware Wire VHF antenna and mounting hardware Bolts Nuts Rubber washers sized to fit the bolts Push button normally open (PBNO) switch In-line fuse appropriate to the radio and fuse holder Wire

Instructions

1. Drill 2 holes in the dashboard, 2 for the mounting bracket and 1 for the antenna and power cords. Use the mounting bracket as a template to mark the mounting holes. The hole for the antenna and power cords should be within 1 inch of the mounting bracket.

2. Attach the mounting bracket at the chosen location on the dashboard using the nuts, bolts and rubber washers, tightening the nuts and bolts with the appropriate combination wrench.

3. 

   Mount the radio by sliding the receiver unit into the slots on the mounting bracket. Adjust the angle of the receiver so that it can best be seen, and tighten the mounting screws to secure the unit at that angle. If the radio is mounted in an open cockpit, attach the splash cover to the face of the radio.

4. 

   Attach a wire to the common bus at the dash as the power lead, solder the 1st fuse holder wire to the power lead, solder the 2nd wire from the in-line fuse to 1 contact of the PBNO switch. Run the power lead from the radio unit down through the hole in the dash. Solder wire from the opposite contact of the PBNO switch to the power lead from the radio.

5. Run the antenna lead up through the hole in the dash, so that it shares the hole with the power lead for the radio. Power the radio by pushing the PBNO switch and attach the antenna lead (supplied with the antenna) to the receiver using the RCA connector on the cable.

6. Mount the antenna at a convenient location on the boat, as high as possible. Run the antenna cable to the antenna and attach, using the RCA connector on the cable.

Tips & Warnings

• If your boat has a center console, mount the antenna on the console and push the excess antenna lead down into the console.

• If the antenna cable must run across the deck to reach the antenna, cover the antenna lead with plastic wire runs to prevent trip-and-fall accidents.

References

• The Marine Electronics Bible; John C. Payne; Sheridan House 1998; p. 109 ff.

Resources

• Vessel Radio Requirements