Radio antennas and Bimini Tops

[shrimpman steve]

I know I can't be the first person to want to install a radio and antenna through a Bimini top. How do you handle the antenna being taller than the canvas top. I assume I need to cut a hole in the Bimini top who can do this.

[wyldbillnj]

Why not just mount it somewhere else? Why would you want to cut a hole in the bimini???

[shrimpman steve]

I figure the best place to mount it is on the side of the console. Where else would you mount it.

[wyldbillnj]

If the bimini shakes side to side or back and front...its going to move the antenna around with it. What kind of boat do you have? Maybe look into a shorter antenna that will fit underneath the bimini. Seems kinda silly to cut a hole in a perfectly good top.

[shrimpman steve]

19 foot cc

[wyldbillnj]

Personally I would hate to see a hole in your nice bimini top. There are 38in wire antennas you can mount to the side or front of the console. Not sure what kind of range they offer though for Marine VHF.

[shrimpman steve]

I would like as much range as possible, and from what I have been told that means getting as much height as you can. I would rather have a professional cut and sew a small hole in the bimini than put more holes in the hull. I am really not sure how I am going to handle this yet.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Not sure how you are going to get a long antenna through the hole in the top when you put your bimini up and down steve. The antenna would have to be removed from it's hard mount because you would need to tilt the antenna to get it into the hole, right?

Least expensive route is to probably go with a smaller antenna that will fit under your bimini. More expensive route would be to get a permanent t top for the boat and you could mount the attenna on it. You might even be able to get by with a permanent radar arch/rocket launcher that is higher then your bimini which will give you some extra pole holders and a place to mount the antenna.

Maybe give Polar a call and see what they suggest??

[dfish28]

Throw a pic up w the Bimini up I'm sure someone might have an idea if we can see how far up it goes

[Capt. Debbie]

Can you design something to secure it to the bimini frame tubing?

Height and antenna quality(gain) are the biggest factors in antenna xmit and reception performance. Theres an old saying that every foot of height is equivalent to 10 watts of transmit power.

[Tuna Tales]

Steve

On my 20 Hydra-Sports I have the antenna (8 ft) mounted on the starboard side (midships). I have a small clip to secure the antenna when it's in the lowered position (for trailering etc.). It lowers bow to stern...

Just in case your bimini gets in the way...you can lower the antenna forward for a moment if needed...I suggest a SS mounting bracket as the nylon ones break over time.

When I want to use my bimni...I lower my antenna - raise and secure my bimini - and then raise my antenna.

Call me if you have any questions...

Best,

Joe T.

[sportfishingusa]

put a damn t top on the boat and then you are good to go! hahah