| VHF Radio and Antenna Installation: Powering the Radio |
From "Shipshape Boating"
episode DSSB-104 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
In this segment, host John Greviskis powers up the VHF radio. Materials: T-Top aluminum structure
Radio box (made one on episode 102)
VHF radio
Antenna
Safety glasses
Short pencil
90-degree drill
4 self-tapping screws
Countersink bits
Marine-grade silicone
Short snubbed #2 Phillips screwdriver
Ground block and a terminal block
14-gauge 2-strand copper tinned wire
4 stainless steal machine screws
Tef-gel
Electricians fish
Black electrical tape
Razor knife
Ring connector (1/4")
Ring connector (3/8")
Heat gun
Flat washers
Ny-lock nuts
PL-259 connector
Proper amp fuse - Use 14-2 copper tin-stranded wire (figure A) for your power supply from the battery source (or ground block) up to the actual radio box where you've already installed a terminal block.
- You want to "hide" this wire, and you can do that by running it down through one of the T-top legs. First, you'll need to drill a hole into the aluminum leg of the T-top with a spring-loaded center punch (figure B). Punch the aluminum and come back with a pilot drill, drill a pilot hole. Once this is done, switch out drill bits (use a 1/2" bit) and use a hole saw to drill the hole in the topside of the leg.
- Do the exact thing to create a hole in the bottom of the T-top leg because you need a way for the cable to come out also.
- Drill a hole into the center console as well.
- Fish the wire -- using "electrician's fish" -- through the T-top, which will take a couple of minutes. Use electrician's tape to tie the 14-2 wire to the fish and pull it back through.
- Strip some of the sheathing off the end of the cable in order to expose the wiring -- strip back 2-1/2" of the sheathing (figure C). This will expose both the positive and negative wires.
- Separate the positive and negative wires, and for the ends of each wire strip back about 5/8" of insulation on both the red and the black wire using a pair of wire stripers. Insert the wire squeeze and pull the insulation off
- Twist the strands together so that the wire is tight and compact, and then slide on a ring connector -- or ring terminals (figure D) -- over top of the wire.
- Crimp the ring terminals on the wire and apply marine-grade heat to shrink the terminals. Greviskis used a butane torch, which worked perfectly. Use a lighter or whatever you have, but this must be done in order to make the connectors watertight.
- Take the "positive" (red) 14-2 wire and screw it onto the topside of the terminal block, and take the "negative" (black or ground) wire and screw it onto the bottom side of the terminal block (figure E).
- Do the exact same thing down below inside the console (figure F). The manufacturer has already most likely set you up, so all you have to do is duplicate the last step -- positive (red) wire on top and the negative or ground (black) wire on the bottom of the terminal block.
- Attach the antenna wire to the back of the VHF -- all you do is slide it on and twist it a half of a turn.
- Now get the radio into it's bracket. There are two thumb screws that hold it in place.
- This particular radio uses three amps of power so we are going to use a five-amps fuse to protect it because you want the fuse to have about 20 percent more resistance than the 12 volt accessory.
- Take the fuse and insert it into the circuit that you chose for the VHF radio and pop it into the clips.
- Now hook up the ring connectors at the battery and you are ready to go!
RESOURCES :
VHS Marine Radio Handbook
Model: 1892216477
Author: Mike Whitehead
(January, 2003)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Bristol Fashions Publications
Communications at Sea
Model: 1574091611
Author: Mike Harris
(May, 2003)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Sheridan House
The Motorboat Electrical and Electronics Manual
Model: 1574091492
Author: John C. Payne
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Sheridan House
Electronics Aboard
Model: 189221640X
Author: Stephen J. Fishman
(September, 2002)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Bristol Fashion Publications
The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible
Model: 1574090607
Author: John C. Payne
(October, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Grafton Books
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
