Garmin Radar/GPS/Sounder Combo System Install

[dd716ted]

A friend of mine has asked me to help him install his new Garmin radar/GPS/Sounder/XM Weather networked system in his new boat. Having not seen the entire system or the boat for that matter, I have a few questions before I visit him.
(1) He has a new North River boat with a radar arch installed. Assuming that the 18" Radar Dome is centered and the rotating antenna within is probably several inches above the surface of the radar arch, will it be OK to mount the GPS and XM Weather puck style antennas on the extreme outter upward facing surfaces of the arch.. Would they be below the radar beam and not be impacted by the radar?
(2) Is it best to power the Radar anrenna/system directly from the battery thru a power block/fuse rather than use the power block behind the dash and
(3) Can the 4 ft VHF antenna still be placed on the arch or is is it best put elsewhere?

I know that these are a lot of questions, but I don't want to waste his materials / efforts on something that must be re-done later. Will appreciate any comments, ideas an/or opinions.. Thanks

 

[dave11]

Re: Garmin Radar/GPS/Sounder Combo System Install

Be sure to wire it properly. The grounding on aluminum boats is different than for fiberglas boats.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Garmin Radar/GPS/Sounder Combo System Install

It is recommended that the radar radome be mounted out of range of personnel (horizontal beam width above head height). When the radome is transmitting, do not look directly at the antenna at close range; eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy.

A ?Compass Safe Distance? must be maintained between a compass and the radome. The Compass Safe Distance is measured from the center point of the compass to the nearest point on the radome. Standard compass = 1 m (39 3/8") Standby Steering and Emergency compasses = 0.5 m (19 3/4" )

Mount other electronics and cables more than 2 m (78 3/4") from the path of a radar beam. A radar beam can normally be assumed to spread 25? vertically above and below the radome?s radiating element.

Install the radome away from antennas or other electronics. GPS antennas should be either above or below the radar beam path of the radome. Mount at least 1 m (39 3/8") from any equipment transmitting or cables carrying radio signals, such as VHF radios, cables, and antennas. In the case of Single Side Band SSB radios, the distance should be increased to 2 m (78 3/4" )