M421 Flushmounting woes

[grimjak]

We've just taken delivery of a shiny new Icom M421 DSC radio to replace the ancient radio that was there when we got the rib (I think its an IC-M61). Unfortunately although the old radio was smaller than the new one with the flush mounting it required a bigger hole.

Now we're stuck with a big gap and need some way of getting our new radio in there. Some kind of blanking plate would be ideal but the only mounting kit for the 421 seems to be just a couple of bolts.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.


Graham

[Milo72]

I have use a piece of [brushed] stainless steel sheet, inside and out. call into any sheet metal engineers and have a rumage through the scrap bins. Generally there will be a piece in there!
It's about 1-1.5mm thick and more often than not they'll cut it down to size for you.
cut the new aperture in both pices and mastic/sikaflex them into position. mastic again around the edges to waterproof, lightly oil to prevent any marks...

Robert is your mothers uncle......

[Ian M]

You should have a couple of small screws and a couple of right angle pieces which mount threaded feet. These right angle pieces screw to the side of the 421 and then the threaded feet are screwed up and locked with lock nuts to butt up against the back of the mounting panel. Doesn't sound very secure, but in practice I have had no problems in the past. The only issue is the price of the things
It does sound as if you are going to have to make up a blanking panel in order to securely mount the 421.

[mike]

I had this on a rib last winter and got round it by using an oversize blanking plate (cut from a plastic substance by a local sign writer who also cut an exact hole on the inside for the new icom), we then drilled 4 holes (in corners) and 2 in the middle top and bottom used marine silicone for a watertight joint and hey presto it was sorted, cost £25 for the plate and the cutting plus 6 screws and a bit of silicone.

looked really good.

[Tim M]

A plate is the way to go. www.engrave-it.co.uk are experts; they do all sorts of things for big manufactures including Broom. Very good service too.