2003 Z71 5.3L VORTEC-2002 STRATOS 18XLDC 150 FICHT- RAKER 24 X 14 1/2 -2002 BLACK BRINDLE GREYHOUND- 2002 RED BRINDLE GREYHOUND-1987 BLONDE STRATOCASTER-1964 BEAUTIFUL WIFE

Enjoy lots of pictures in my Bio Section-Updated Constantly
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The Lowrance LVR-250 DSC-VHF radio and the X-51 sonar, complete the dash.

Modified by Radiac at 11:08 PM 3/23/2008
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2004 Triton 163 Sport / 50 HP Mercury

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http://www.cookstackle.com/store/?aid=TR5L9G5ILACX

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Jim
SONAR & GPS, Basics and beyond...http://www.hightechfishing.com/lowrancetips.html

MY EMAIL Ouachitabassangler@gmail.com

Here is my 520 install. I have the unit on a Ram Mount but in between the Ram Mount and gimbel bracket I fabricated an antenna mount. I have had reports that mounting the antenna close to the unit would cause signal problems for some people. I talked to a Lowrance representative and he said it does not matter how close you mount the antenna to the unit but it must have a clear unobstructed view of the sky. Cabelas sell a bracket similar to what I made. Mounting the antenna to the bracket lets the antenna set too low behind the unit affecting signal strength. Ram makes a special mount just for the antenna. You will need the spat mount for your antenna. Lowrance does not include the antenna spat mount anymore because they said very few people use them . I got mine from a guy who was not using his on his 332.

Anyways my install consist of 1 Ram Mount for the unit. 1 fabricated piece of plastic 1 ram antenna mount and 1 spat mount for the antenna. I have had it on the boat for a few months now and have not had any signal problems at all. The fabricated piece of plastic seems be be hold up good so far. If it does fail I will have to give $12.95 to Cabelas for a small piece of plastic

This set up makes my unit and antenna all one complete unit. I can unhook a couple of wires and the antenna and unit are read to go inside for safe keeping.

Also note that the plastic protective cover for the screen is not intended for highway use. It will blow off but a simple solution is a piece of elastic. My wife had some in her sewing box I just measure and cut then let here sew it together.

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How did you fabricate the GPS puck mounting bracket? Do you have any close up pictures?

The 520 head unit is attached to a Ram 111 The antenna puck is attached to a Lowrance antenna spat mount. The antenna spat mount has a female receptacle that threads onto the male portion of a Ram 112 antenna mount...here is where the fabrication comes into play

They do make a Ram 138 mount that allows you to attach the antenna puck to the back side of the head unit. I used that idea and made my own version...I took a piece of grey plexi glass and set the 520 with the gimble bracket attached onto the plexi glass. Then I put the Ram 112 antenna mount on it and figured out how close I could position them together. Then I traced the out line with a pencil and went to work with a jigsaw. Sand the rough edges and assemble everything...FYI the closer you get the antenna and head unit the more stiff and durable the fabricated mount will be. If you set the antenna to far away from the head unit it will have some flex...you want it short and stiff

Sorry I don't have any up close pictures of the fabricated piece. You can find the above mentioned parts at the a Ram web site and LEI web site

LEI web site
Lowrance antenna spat mount...they cost around $12-15 before you buy one try to locate one from somebody that has bought a GPS unit older than 2-3 years. They used to include them in the package when you purchased a GPS unit. Now you have to buy it separate. Very few people use the antenna spat mount so it it easy to located one for free or for a small fee.

Ram web site
Ram 111...for the head unit
Ram 112...for the Lowrance antenna spat mount
*Ram 138*...that is the piece that I fabricated my own version of...the Ram 138 might work but I believe that the self fabricated piece is better. The Ram 138 was made to use with only the antenna puck. The extra weight of the of the Ram 112 and spat mount might be too much due to the length of the 138. The shorter version I made will support the extra weight. Plus it has many other benefits.

Connecting the antenna to the head unit makes everything one complete unit. If I want to stay in a motel all I have to do is unplug a couple of wires and the antenna and head unit are ready to come inside for safe keeping. The biggest benefit it signal reception. The higher you have the antenna the more clear view of the sky and that leads to a better signal strength

If you have any more questions feel free to ask

Modified by JR19 at 11:10 PM 3/23/2008

Did you find that the RAM 112 gave you plenty of height for the puck in order to give you a good signal?

Let me clarify my previous statement...the 480 and 332 used to include the antenna spat mount. With a 520 or a new model 480 they no longer include it. You have to purchase it separately. Now when you buy units larger than the 480 and 520 you will get the spat mount for free.

Yes...that was the main reason I used the spat mount and 112. With the antenna mounted higher it has a more clear view of the sky

It seems like all I can really do is drill some holes and the screw the RAM mount (without nuts) to the horizontal fiberglass area to the right of the console. Or I guess I could mount vertically on the outside of the right wall of the console. I just don't know what kind of screws I should buy if I'm gonna do it that way. Or am I missing something?

Are you absolutely sure that you can't access that area from under the dash? It looks like a similar set up to my Ranger and I can use bolts for mounting in that area. It's not easy to see, but I can get to it.

That's a good question. The truth is, I haven't actually received this boat yet, I'm getting it this coming weekend from my brother-in-law. This will be my first bass boat (psyched!), and I was making some assumptions based on the pictures and what I vaguely remember from when I last fished out of it. But based on what f.c. and you have said, I clearly need to save my assumptions for when I can take a good look at what I'm dealing with. I guess I was just trying to get a little ahead of the ball.

Thanks guys...