Trojan Boat Forum

What do most F-32 owners do for mounting radar? On front of flybridge? On arch overhead? What are the concerns for Electromagnetic Radiation? Which is better, open array or dome? Help?

Mine is mounted on a pole extending from the aft deck to just above the flybridge canvas

I see a lot of boats with radar mounted on a little platform in front of the flybridge. Very bad - unless you want your crotch microwaved.....

BoatUS recommends mounting 5 ft. above head level. Radar emits short pulses of microwave radiation. Microwaves are absorbed by living tissue and their energy is converted to heat that may easily damage some organs, particularly the eyes, which may develop cataracts. It has also been shown that long-term exposure to low levels of microwave radiation can induce a variety of physiological effects in small laboratory animals. The importance of these effects and their relevance to the case of human exposure are not yet fully understood. Microwaves may also interfere with cardiac pacemakers.

I have a half tower on my boat where the open array is mounted. I would really try to mount above standing level, as possible. The open array is the preferred method for most, as it can receive much clearer than the closed array (Radome)

The radome is great when there is tight spaces, such as masts or rigging which normally won't allow for an open array.

I just yanked mine off the front of the bridge. It was in the way - and is not healthy as well.

I'm bulding a radar arch to mount this and my antennas (2 GPS, 2 VHF, 1 AM/FM, 1 TV), lights and horns on - as well as anchoring the rear of my bimini (no more straps!). I'll get ridof the ugly forward navigation light masy on the front of the bridge as well!

Place it high,and angled slightly forward (so the plane of the radar is level when your bow lifts while underway).

What are you going to use in place?

I have bought a sailboat bubble masthead light that is small and can fit where the existing screws to the support bracket were and it will actually cover those up.

But if you have a better suggestion I would be interested. I still have to figure out what I am going to do for the anchor light but we don't overnight too much.

Given how useless (but required) the anchor light on the helm seems, I replaced it with one of the socket type light poles. It gives me more room on the helm for other equipment, and I can still use the light if necessary.

I would put it on a arch or a hard top . I have a dome and am very happy with it . but open array is better. mine dome is on the hard top along with the light .

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