AguaSki
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2005
- Messages
- 545
I am going to Lake Powell in August and I have been thinking that I should not venture out on such a big lake without a VHF marine radio. Today I stopped by the local Cabela's to price their radios. While in the store I went into their "Bargain Cave" (I think every Cabela's has a "Bargain Cave") and stumbled across a Uniden Solara DSC fixed mount radio. The best part was the radio was priced at $62.44, and today only all marine items in the "Bargain Cave" were 40% off. Needless to say I felt really good walking away with my first fixed mount marine radio for the whopping price of $37.46. Because this radio was in the "Bargain Cave" it does have its flaws. It did not come with a manual, but I already found a .pdf manual on the internet. It also did not come with the mounting bracket. Any ideas on where I can pick-up a suitable replacement bracket or ideas on how I can improvise the installation?
Also, now that I have a radio I need to start shopping for an antenna. I have read a lot of good things about the 5225XT, so that is what I am going to look for, it is just a matter of finding one at a good price. The boat is just a typical open bow runabout. My gunwale's are narrow and already have a lot of hardware mounted along the top, so I am concerned about how the antenna will fold down. Is it possible to mount the antenna just below the outside edge of the gunwale? If I do mount along the outside edge, I would think that the antenna needs to be supported when it is folded down. How is the best way to support the antenna when it is folded down? I would like to see some pics of antenna installations if anyone is willing to share. I would really like to seem some installations with the antenna folded down.
Please share if you have any thoughts.
Also, now that I have a radio I need to start shopping for an antenna. I have read a lot of good things about the 5225XT, so that is what I am going to look for, it is just a matter of finding one at a good price. The boat is just a typical open bow runabout. My gunwale's are narrow and already have a lot of hardware mounted along the top, so I am concerned about how the antenna will fold down. Is it possible to mount the antenna just below the outside edge of the gunwale? If I do mount along the outside edge, I would think that the antenna needs to be supported when it is folded down. How is the best way to support the antenna when it is folded down? I would like to see some pics of antenna installations if anyone is willing to share. I would really like to seem some installations with the antenna folded down.
Please share if you have any thoughts.