How to Install a Marine Radio Receiver in a Boat

When you want to tell someone your boat is out of gas, on fire or sinking, you may be in an area without cell phone coverage. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that all vessels, whether they are required to carry a marine radio or not, have one on board, saying that they "do not advocate cellular phones" as a substitute for a marine radio. When -- not if -- you install a marine radio on your boat, doing it right can prevent future problems and may even save lives.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch bit
  • Screwdriver
  • Spade terminals
  • Wire crimper
  • Wire ties
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

  1. Installing the Receiver

    • 1

      Locate a flat, U-shaped bracket in the radio's installation kit -- the bracket will be as long as the radio is wide. Set this bracket at the place where you want the radio.

    • 2

      Mark the location of the mounting holes in the bracket onto the surface where you placed the bracket for mounting, using a pencil.

    • 3

      Drill the mounting holes. Use the screws included with the radio to mount the bracket in place.

    • 4

      Drill a third hole, about 1/2-inch in diameter, for the wiring and the antenna cable. Install the radio in the bracket and push its two power leads down through the third hole.

    • 5

      Crimp spade terminals onto the radio's power and ground leads, using a wire crimper. Loosen one of the screws on the boat's common power bus and push the spade terminal under the screw. Tighten the screw. Attach the ground lead to the common ground.

    Installing the Antenna

    • 6

      Inspect your boat's exterior, to pick the highest location on your boat for the antenna installation. The higher your antenna, the longer your radio's range.

    • 7

      Place the base of the antenna on the flat part of the horizontal surface. Mark the location of its mounting holes and its antenna lead hole on the surface.

    • 8

      Drill the mounting holes and antenna lead hole. Screw the coaxial cable into the base of the antenna and push the cable down through the antenna lead hole. Position and mount the antenna, using the screws provided with the antenna, at that location.

    • 9

      Run the antenna lead down to the side of the boat. Use wire ties to keep it in place as it descends from its location -- the goal is to keep the antenna cable from fouling someone's feet. Run the antenna lead along the side of the boat to the control console.

    • 10

      Drill a 1/2-inch hole in the base of the control console and push the antenna cable through the hole, into the console. Cover the lead with plastic wire cover. Push the antenna cable up through the antenna cable hole next to the receiver and connect it to the back of the receiver.