Radar & Satcom Mounts & Accessories
Essential Mounting Solutions for Marine Radar and Satellite Communication
Radar and satcom mounts are specialized marine hardware designed to securely position navigational electronics in optimal locations on boats and yachts. Proper installation and reliable mounting are essential for such vital and expensive navigational equipment as marine radars, ensuring they deliver accurate performance when you need it most. These mounting systems elevate radar domes and satellite communication antennas above deck obstructions, providing clear signal paths and maximizing detection range while protecting sensitive electronics from the harsh marine environment.
Why Proper Mounting Matters for Marine Electronics
Installing radar in a poor position can seriously degrade performance, as mounting it at the wrong height or angle will interfere with its ability to clearly identify targets and can reduce its operational range. The beam transmitted from your radar must maintain an unobstructed view of the horizon to detect other vessels, buoys, and land formations effectively. Multiple mounting options depend on the vessel's configuration, type and weight of the radar, and installation preferences, considering both minimum and maximum height requirements to see distant objects and smaller targets nearby without obstruction from other onboard equipment.
Complex electronics working in unfavorable and harsh conditions with temperature extremes, vibrations, and moisture require proper protection and mounting to perform properly and have a long lifespan, particularly in the aggressive marine environment. Quality mounting hardware is constructed from marine-grade materials—typically aluminum or stainless steel—with corrosion-resistant finishes designed to withstand years of saltwater exposure, UV radiation, and constant motion.
Types of Radar and Satcom Mounting Systems
Radar and satcom mounting solutions come in several configurations to accommodate different vessel layouts and equipment types. Pole mounts install radar or satcom onto the deck or transom of your boat, while mast mounts are a cost-effective and space-saving solution for installing radomes or satcom antennas. PowerTower systems offer elevated mounting platforms that raise electronics above superstructure elements like hardtops and radar arches, ensuring the antenna's beam pattern remains unobstructed. Self-levelling mount ranges ensure your radar stays level with the horizon at all times for optimum performance, which is particularly valuable on sailing vessels that heel significantly.
Accessories for these mounting systems include backing plates for structural reinforcement, wedge adapters to angle equipment properly, cable glands and seals for waterproof wire routing, and light bars that allow navigation lights and additional antennas to be mounted on the same structure. Modular designs allow you to add various accessories and different top plates at any point, making them cost-effective choices that don't require replacing the entire mount when different radar or satdome is used.
Top Brands in Radar & Satcom Mounting
When selecting mounting hardware for your marine electronics, choosing equipment from proven manufacturers ensures compatibility, durability, and long-term reliability. Scanstrut stands as a respected British company that specializes in manufacturing antenna and radar mounts, cable seals, wireless charging systems, and other equipment used all over the world. Their products are made from marine-grade aluminium and coated with a unique 4-step marine paint system, ensuring that mast mounts stay looking their best year in, year out, whatever the oceans throw at them.
Choosing the Right Mount for Your Installation
Selecting the appropriate mounting solution requires consideration of your vessel type, available mounting locations, and the specific radar or satcom equipment you're installing. Measure the distance from potential mounting surfaces to deck edges—if your radar will be positioned more than two feet from all edges, you'll likely need an elevated mount to prevent the superstructure from blocking the radar's beam. Verify compatibility between your electronics manufacturer and the mounting hardware, as most quality mounts feature pre-drilled patterns that match specific radar and satcom models from brands like Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, and Furuno.
Installation typically requires backing plates or reinforcement beneath the mounting surface to distribute loads and prevent stress cracks in fiberglass decks. Cable management is equally important—look for mounts with internal wire routing or use dedicated marine cable seals to maintain watertight integrity while protecting electrical connections from moisture intrusion. Whether you're upgrading existing equipment or outfitting a new vessel, investing in purpose-built radar and satcom mounting hardware ensures your navigation electronics perform reliably when conditions demand it.