NO NEED TO FEAR PUTTING A MASTHEAD ANTENNA ON YOUR EXPRESS TO BE READY TO SAIL IN THE OCEAN. I got the package that Matt so well describes in this post and it is light and easy. Little more then $200 from Farallon Electronics. Ultra quick delivery and right the first time. Here's the contact: Eric Steinberg [email protected] Farallon Electronics, Sausalito CA + 415-331-1924 ext 115 + 415-505-6000 - USA mobile

-----------------------------------------

:: Hi Steve - That is gucciest part of what Eric from
:: Farlonnes Electronics did for us when he made up the
:: coax. The VHF jack unscrews from the coax leaving a much
:: smaller max OD for the coax end that needs to get
:: through the through deck fitting.
::
:: I highly recommend Eric if you all go down this path.
::
::
::
:: :: Great work,Matt. Both for your race and your
:: :: instructions. Is the cable with the jack attachment to
:: :: the vhf able to fit thru the thru deck fitting without
:: :: removing the jack? Like when you need to take the mast
:: :: down to trailer the boat. SDK
:: ::
:: :: :: Hi All - When we bought Tequila M the coastal / offshore
:: :: :: racing aspect was a big attraction to the class.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: The new offshore safety rules did increase the challene
:: :: :: to get to the start line but it was by no means
:: :: :: insurmountable. I think we also managed to do it without
:: :: :: negatively affecting configuration / weight for buoy?
:: :: :: racing.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: We found that the most challenging requirement to meet
:: :: :: was the masthead VHF requirement due to cost, the number
:: :: :: of component options and the install process.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: A little write up of how we went about may help you
:: :: :: (please keep in mind this is free advice and there may
:: :: :: be errors):
:: :: :: https://www.dropbox.com/s/85qqkant2dhtgs7/Express%2027%20VHF%20in...
:: :: ::
:: :: :: We did our first OYRA race this past Saturday and, while
:: :: :: we were one of the only express 27's, we had an awesome
:: :: :: time.... held on upwind to YRA SO and then while the
:: :: :: fleet sailed the rhumb line home 2 sail reaching, we
:: :: :: popped the chute and started hauling (albeit
:: :: :: considerably lower than the rhumb line) and got the lift
:: :: :: we needed coming into the gate to make some big gains
:: :: :: and had an awesome time in the process. Not totally sure
:: :: :: where we ended up but hopefully pretty decent.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Hope this helps
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Matt Krogstad
:: ::
:: :: :: Tequila Mockingbird