Author Topic: GPS Anteanna Mount (Read 25799 times)

jnc5908404 · « **on:** April 08, 2011, 02:40:21 PM »

Has anyone moounted their GPS for the 998c si on a ram mount and if so what model did you use.

The reason for my question is I would like to mount the GPS head in the transom area with about a 12 inch rise but be able to rotate it down when I put the boat cover on.

The rise would allow for clearence over any obstructions in this area?

16.5 Alumacraft Classic CS with 75 Horse 4-stroke merc.

Thoughts???

What a great forum, so much useful info....thanks.

Roddy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2011, 02:54:29 PM »

JNC; Ref GPS ant mt. I have a gps ext ant mt on a rubber duckie. I used a 1' pole ext and a Rotating ant mt. Chep and works good. Roddy

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:10:56 PM »

Quote from: Roddy on April 08, 2011, 02:54:29 PM

JNC; Ref GPS ant mt. I have a gps ext ant mt on a rubber duckie. I used a 1' pole ext and a Rotating ant mt. Chep and works good. Roddy

I think Roddy has got the way to mount the GPS Receiver.

Moose1am · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2011, 11:40:25 AM »

Yikes I think you are right. I can't put my boat cover on my boat now that I have the GPS antenna mounted so high up and I can't swivel it down in place. I'll have to unscrew the antenna extension pole from the base and lay it down on the deck before I can put my boat cover on the boat again.

But I have more important things to worry about at this moment. I need to get the water pump fixed on my lower unit first. The pee hole is not spitting out water continusouly and I suspect that the rubber empeller is going bad and will have to be replace on my lower unit's water pump.

Quote from: Humminbird_Greg on April 08, 2011, 04:10:56 PM

I think Roddy has got the way to mount the GPS Receiver.

calli1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2011, 04:18:23 PM »

My anteanna for my ( use to be 898 ) and my 1198 is on the back of the boat towards the drivers side back corner just above my S I Transducer. I feel this gives the best overall GPS location as well as matching with my Navionics Maps. Some folks like using their GPS anteanna either at the console or just behind the driver seat. To me, this gives a false reading with your GPS receiver/Anteanna anywhere from 3 to 5 ...maybe 6 feet away from the Transducer.

Do I make any sense at what I am saying. Just thought I would help or try anyway. Good fishing.

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2011, 02:38:39 PM »

Thanks everyone, I think I try Roddy's. I sent and email t Ram Mount support asking if they had a mount that they would reccomend but havent heard anything back yet.

I am going to mount it near the transducer as I agree with getting false readings if mounted by the console.

Just would like to be able to rotate it down when done fishing and putting the cover on with out to much effort

Rüdiger · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2011, 04:07:28 AM »

Hey

That is my solution for 2 GPS antennas.

mvh
Rüdiger

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2011, 11:23:09 PM »

Okay, here is what I did to solve the GPS antenna mount issue

I wen to the hardware store and bought 3/4 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe, 1 3/4 90 Degree elbow, one 3/4 coupler to thread into GPS base ( threads did not fit perfect but I used silicone spray to get it tight), 3/4 wall mount, 3/4 friction coupler.

Assembled to find length, assembled with wiring through all parts, secured wall plate to boat (be sure to cut a 1/4 x 1/4 slot in back of plate for wire, used stainless teel grommets and screws to secure wall plate.

Here are the pictures

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2011, 11:26:10 PM »

forgot to mention, I used PVC cement starting at the bottom and working my way up after attaching the wall plate.

The friction coupler works great as you just loosen to tilt up, tighten, then loosen to tilt down when traveling or putting boat cover on.

Total cost was $17.00

sonar2000 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2011, 09:08:48 AM »

That is a great mount. Easy to make and works well for tilting. Great job...I can see a place for it here on the Parks boat.....
Chuck

Roddy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2011, 12:50:51 PM »

JNC; Nice job! PVC is thinking mans tool. Enjoy Roddy

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2011, 01:51:07 PM »

Thanks Roddy.

I was going to go all out and buy a roll of Duck Tape to wrap it all together too, but the expense was just getting to high, lol

I'm from the old school where you made what you had or could afford work.

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2011, 02:36:18 PM »

Very nice JNC!
Sorry Roddy, while your GPS Receiver mount may be better all around I gotta switch my vote to JNC. His ingenuity with PVC just out scores your store bought mount!
PVC is the thinking man’s tool but I wish that when you go into the big hardware stores that the people that worked there would not get so bent out of shape when you tell them that you are going to use the PVC and couplers for something besides what they were designed for…

Roddy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2011, 02:49:34 PM »

Greg; I was going for glamour!

Roddy

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2011, 03:01:58 PM »

Quote from: Roddy on April 12, 2011, 02:49:34 PM

Greg; I was going for glamour! Roddy

I guess if you are retired and have the time and money than that's alright. Us working guys have to go for what works and is less expensive!
LOL!

sonar2000 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2011, 03:53:15 PM »

What is wrong with PVC.....it looks nice, it can be painted to look like metal...It can be strong.
I think PVC is good..
And in this particular application ...it simply meets the needs. looks good and works....

You working guys have the advantage of getting raises. Us retirees are fixed income for life...But I really like the retired life..

...

....

Chuck

Roddy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2011, 04:56:26 PM »

PVC is nice! Gota' go check my stock portfolio $. Roddy

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2011, 05:14:59 PM »

In looking at Rudigers mount, it gives me an idea to the vexing Transducer issue so many have pointed out n this forum.

How about a telescoping PVC assembled Transducer mount connected to an old power window motor with a window motor door switch mounted on the console, hmmmm.

An adjustable transducer depth shaft........

Rüdiger · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2011, 03:21:15 AM »

Quote from: jnc5908404 on April 12, 2011, 05:14:59 PM

In looking at Rudigers mount, it gives me an idea to the vexing Transducer issue so many have pointed out n this forum.

How about a telescoping PVC assembled Transducer mount connected to an old power window motor with a window motor door switch mounted on the console, hmmmm.

An adjustable transducer depth shaft........

Hey ync

It's not the si transducer on my pictures, a si transducer on a long shaft can get vibrationproblems.

mvh
Rüdiger

jnc5908404 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:02:00 AM »

Thanks Rüdiger, I was being more facetious than anything.
But it is good to know and makes sense the vibration would have an effect on the transducer.

I believe it's the size of this transducer, quite a bit larger/longer then ones of the past.
I wonder if folks with the higher end bass boats where the lower unit acutally sticks out farter away from the transom have this issue?

Rüdiger · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2011, 03:01:57 AM »

Hey gnc

Maybe e strong construction can help. A old longshaft trollingmotor without prop and engine, can be a good base.

mvh
Rüdiger

sonar2000 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2011, 07:58:29 AM »

We use a trolling motor shaft, the bracket to mount to the boat and a Johnny Ray bracket to mount the transducer. It works fine at trolling speeds. We pull(tilt) it up for for above speed of 5 mph..
Chuck

Moose1am · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2011, 07:45:55 PM »

The problem with this mounting system is that the PVC threads are not the 1-14 size that's fits into the Humminbird GPS Antenna Base. So you can strip the threads using the PVC standard Pipe Threads.

I would recommend using the RAM MOUNT for FM Antennas and an Marine Antenna Extention to get the GPS puck antenna up above the motor on the back of the boat. These ram mount uses the correct thread size and so does the Shakesphere Marine Antenna Extension Pole. I used the Shakespear Pole base mount on my boat but I also have a RAM Mount that I can use. The Ram mount can be adjusted to any position from stright up and down to laying down inside the boat. And you can unscrew the Humminbird GPS Antenna puck Base without stripping those plastic threads. If you damage the threads inside the bottom of the gps puck base then you may have to get a new gps antenna base from Humminbird. Those are not cheap.

Sure you can "Make it fit" by using standard pipe threads fitted into the 1-14 threads inside the gps puck base but once you put it together you may not be able to take it back apart without damaging the threads. Sure I guess you could glue them together or use pipe thread tape or something else to make it work and cut your costs.

My question is this to HUMMINBIRD. Why did they use these 1-14 type threads in the GPS base? Why didn't they just use PVC standard Pipe Threads for the female threads? That would make it a lot easier to work with. Those 1-14 threads are non standard and only used with the Marine Industry for Marine FM antennas etc. And this make getting the puck up higher more expensive if you have to buy marine speciality items from companies like Shakesphere. I found the parts in a Marine Supply Catalog.

MY setup works great and I can take it apart at anytime without doing any damage to the threads inside the Humminbird GPS Base part.

Quote from: Humminbird_Greg on April 12, 2011, 02:36:18 PM

Very nice JNC!
Sorry Roddy, while your GPS Receiver mount may be better all around I gotta switch my vote to JNC. His ingenuity with PVC just out scores your store bought mount!
PVC is the thinking man’s tool but I wish that when you go into the big hardware stores that the people that worked there would not get so bent out of shape when you tell them that you are going to use the PVC and couplers for something besides what they were designed for…

haggy38 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2011, 02:01:18 PM »

Hi, this is how i´ve installed my gps antenna, I used a Shakespeare pole.

Regards.
Gustavo

Roddy · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2011, 10:38:45 PM »

Moose; I use PVC for all kinds of first prototype work, sometimes it turns into finshed item. Roddy

Moose1am · « **Reply #25 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:18:10 PM »

Excellent setup. I used the same type of setup but installed the 2ft long extension Shakespeare antenna thing on my boat to get the gps puck up above my Johnson 35 HP motor housing. That way it can view the entire sky from 360 deg without anything in the boat getting in the way. Nice pictures.

I'll have to take a picture of my boat's gps antenna setup and resize it and post a copy in here someday.

Quote from: haggy38 on April 19, 2011, 02:01:18 PM

Hi, this is how i´ve installed my gps antenna, I used a Shakespeare pole.

(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Regards.
Gustavo

Moose1am · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:19:21 PM »

I have made some umbrella holders out of PVC pipes and a lantern holder. I made about 6 different PVC crappie trees for placing in the lakes I fish.

Quote from: Roddy on April 19, 2011, 10:38:45 PM

Moose; I use PVC for all kinds of first prototype work, sometimes it turns into finshed item. Roddy

muskyhunter · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2011, 01:01:17 AM »

I love ingenuity. For this particular situation to have a fold down antenna, another suggestion would be to use a ratchet antenna mount in nylon or stainless steel. The nylon version by Shakespere can be acquired for about $10-$13.

Moose1am · « **Reply #28 on:** May 01, 2011, 07:35:27 PM »

I have one of those that's Black instead of White. It's still in the plastic wrapping and unopened. I use a stainless steel base like the one in the photo's above for my Shakespere antenna extension pole. I like the steel base because I can run the GPS cable though it and the the hole that I drilled in the aluminum platform on the back of my boat. That way there are no wires or cables sticking out of the base. They are hidden below the aluminum deck. I had to drill the hole with a small circle saw and filed off the burrs to keep the cable from getting cut. I also wrapped the GPS Antenna Cable with some electrical tape to give is even more protection from the sharp edges of the hole in the aluminum deck.

Quote from: muskyhunter on May 01, 2011, 01:01:17 AM

I love ingenuity. For this particular situation to have a fold down antenna, another suggestion would be to use a ratchet antenna mount in nylon or stainless steel. The nylon version by Shakespere can be acquired for about $10-$13.

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Author Topic: GPS Anteanna Mount (Read 25799 times)

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