TACO Marine Grand Slam 850BHC Electric VHF Antenna Mount, For VHF Antennas up to 8 ft, 12V DC, 1"-14 Male Thread, Black Anodized Aluminum

Overview

The TACO Marine GS-850BHC is a fully electric VHF antenna mount for raising and lowering a standard marine VHF antenna from the helm instead of reaching up to the hardtop. It uses a standard 1"-14 male threaded shaft for VHF antennas up to 8 feet, runs on 12V DC power, and has a black hard coat anodized aluminum finish that suits modern black-out hardware packages on center consoles and pilothouse boats.

This mount installs on the surface of the hardtop and fits all top thicknesses, with the wiring hidden inside the hardtop for a clean overhead installation. The electric lift and descent are useful when clearing bridges, trailering, storing the boat, or lowering the antenna quickly before rough weather makes deck access less comfortable.

The machined aluminum body, threaded shaft movement, brass bearings, and manual breakaway release give it the practical details needed for regular marine use. It weighs 2.1 lb and is made in the USA.

Key features

• Electric raise and lower operation lets the VHF antenna be adjusted from the helm with a switch.
• Accepts standard 1"-14 threaded VHF antennas up to 8 feet in height.
• 12V DC operation for integration with common onboard electrical systems.
• Surface-mount hardtop installation with no under-mount clearance required.
• Hidden wiring through the hardtop keeps the installation clean around the console and overhead area.
• Black hard coat anodized aluminum finish adds corrosion protection and matches black marine hardware.
• Threaded shaft movement and brass bearings help the antenna raise and lower smoothly.
• Manual breakaway release allows antenna repositioning if electric operation is not available.
• Uses a 6" lead of 20-gauge wire from the base for electrical connection.
• Compatible with the BP-0850AEY backing plate and WP-850-950 6-degree wedge plate when extra support or angle correction is needed.

Installation and setup

The GS-850BHC is intended for hardtop mounting, making it a strong fit for center consoles, walkarounds, sport fishing boats, and other vessels where the VHF antenna is mounted overhead. The unit mounts from the top side, so the installer does not need clearance below the hardtop for the mechanism.

Electrical installation should be planned around a 12V DC circuit with a 3A fuse in the main positive feed. A DPDT on-off-on switch is required for helm control and is not included, so it should be selected to match the helm layout and marine electrical standards used on the boat.

Compatibility and fit

This mount is for VHF antennas with a standard 1"-14 threaded base and a maximum antenna height of 8 feet. Before installation, the antenna, cable routing, switch location, and hardtop structure should be checked together so the mount can move through its full range without contacting outriggers, lights, radar equipment, canvas, or storage covers.

The optional backing plate can be useful on thinner or cored tops where the load needs to be spread over a larger area. The optional 6-degree wedge plate helps correct antenna angle on tops that are not level, which can matter on boats with swept or crowned hardtops.

Use cases on board

This mount is a good match for boaters who want a fixed VHF antenna installation without climbing onto the deck or gunwale to fold the antenna down. It is especially practical for boats that pass under bridges, store under covered slips, or move between trailering, dry stack storage, and open water use.

For fishing and coastal cruising boats, the clean hardtop installation also keeps the console area uncluttered while allowing the antenna to be lowered when the boat is not underway.

What’s included

• GS-850BHC electric VHF antenna mount
• Drill template
• Installation instructions