Compass and radio seperation

Harrys Game · 29 May 2014, 13:45

Space for mounting compass etc on the rib is very limited and I seem to remember from somewhere not to place a radio (VHF) to close to the compass. So any tips advice would be gratefully received. Regards Jim

Gilles · 29 May 2014, 14:47

do a test on your own boat, put your compass and approach your VHF and have a look if your compass is moving. Fyi my compass is about +/-50cm of the VHF ...

gtb · 29 May 2014, 14:55

Likely depends upon the exact radio and compass, but this manual suggests a minimum separation of 300mm.

CJL · 29 May 2014, 17:10

I gave up finding a decent location on the console and ditched the compass. I now have a Plastimo hand bearing onboard as a back up and use the plotter for normal use.

Chris

captnjack · 29 May 2014, 17:22

Mine are far too close together for "proper" use (compass about 40cm away from a remote radio speaker and 1m above the radio itself). However on my RIB, compass use is generally limited to going north south east west or some slight variant of those. Even if they were positioned to avoid any possible interference, I could not run a precise compass course on my boat in any kind of sea.

The compass is more of a "go in the right direction to get home backup" to the plotter.

If you place the compass in the desired location you can see the deviations in the driveway with and without the radio in use. Be sure to changing the heading of the boat. In my case its pretty minor <5degrees which is less than my driving over waves errors anyway.

kerny · 29 May 2014, 17:45

Mine is pretty accurate near the vhf but when I switch the plotter on it then it becomes out of sync, but if my plotter went down it is good enough as a back up. A pic to give you some idea.....

biffer · 29 May 2014, 18:06

My boat was coded and had to have a swung compass. Just about impossible to do on a rib.

SimonCh · 29 May 2014, 18:29

your VHF instructions will have a 'compass safe distance' in them.... but if that fails, just mount it as far as possible, and carry a spare compass with you that you can move around.

When i fitted my new VHF, i was at sea by the time i realised every direction i headed was west!

Festinghouse · 29 May 2014, 18:36

my radio is pretty close but doesnt harm the compass, but the plotter is as close as it can be - any closer and it knocks the compass out.