Mast mount for a DRS12ANXT/4

[wkearney99]

Anyone have pro/con advice for a mast mount strut to put a DRS12ANXT/4 on a mast?

It'd be replacing a 24" dome, and that mount wouldn't have the clearance for the open array to spin, nor handle the weight.

 

[gtstang462002]

Without any pictures, I am presuming that the clearance issue is with the light mast that is probably integrated into the radar mount. If this is the case, a good local fabrication shop can modify it to give you the clearance needed and support the additional weight. This route may or may not be cheaper than just changing the mount with a factory fabricated mount.

 

[wkearney99]

Yes, there's a 24" dome up there now and that won't give enough clearance to let the array spin (and probably wouldn't handle the added weight of the DRS12ANXT motor/gearbox).

I'm expecting to remove the existing dome and bracket and put "something else" in it's place. It's that "something else" that I'm looking to find. If there's a workable starting point from someone, great, otherwise I'd have something custom made (probably from Kato Marine as they're local here in Annapolis). But if I don't have to completely re-invent the wheel it'd be nice.

I just honestly didn't remember to take the mast mount into account when decided to make the upgrade from a dome to an array. So yeah, duh, mistake on my part leaving that out of the plan, and of course figuring this out pretty late in the game.

 

[wkearney99]

Here's what's up there now.

There's a rack above the dome that's likely going to be too close for the array, so I'm expecting that to move also. The pix are not entirely accurate, as the view from the starboard is old and most of that stuff is gone now.

The only things that will be up on the mast now will be the array, a new SCX-20 and an Airmar 220wx (weather unit).

 

[Johnny Electron]

You might get some RF reflections from the mast and those lights so you might want to put on some sector blanking. You can see through metal regardless. (it's x-band not x-ray) The install should work fine with a slight blind area aft. If you lower the mast and store like that, you should seriously consider adding a water protection plug (DOM-WTR-PLG) for the dome breather value. Even if wrapped, condensation water can end up getting inside the dome when not in the upright position. I see no concerns other than that.

 

[wkearney99]

You might get some RF reflections from the mast and those lights so you might want to put on some sector blanking. You can see through metal regardless. (it's x-band not x-ray) The install should work fine with a slight blind area aft. If you lower the mast and store like that, you should seriously consider adding a water protection plug (DOM-WTR-PLG) for the dome breather value. Even if wrapped, condensation water can end up getting inside the dome when not in the upright position. I see no concerns other than that.

Huh, interesting point about the drainage plug, it probably wouldn't have occurred to think about it. It typically gets stored that way for the winter, usually indoors (but not heated) or under shrink-wrap. I don't think it has that installed.

But this dome is being removed and replaced with an array. Does the same drain issue exist for the open array's gearbox?

I was anticipating some degree of 'blindness' aft, no real way to work around that.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Because yours is indoors and not wrapped, water isn't a concern on either type. The open array breathers are arranged diffrent and won't be a problem even if wrapped. If wrapped you want to protect the array from direct pressure from the wrap so that the antenna doesn't get cracked.