Although I am sure that the moniters sold by Captain Jacks are top of the
line (at around $3700)--you can buy a very fine LCD moniter for $500-- a
little plywood, maybe some teak trim and a bit of paint can make a wonderful
sun shield and I suspect with cables be in there at less than $600.  I would
think that the separate screen would be much easier to mount to cut the glare
and light than a lap top.

On the other hand I have been using my 15" screen lap top for three years on
the flying bridge and occasionally I have to fashion a sun shield with flat
matt black painted card board, but most of the time the screen is very
readiable.

Bob Austin

Its not really a serious problem. My Uniden 535 and 15 foot mast antenna can
pickup and transmit a good many miles. I've called the coasties 10 miles
away when I ran across a flotilla of abandoned logs and they had no problems
receiving my warning (on 16 and 22) and I had no problems receiving their
replies.  I've even picked up transmissions from over 25 miles away.
Yet, reception on our local shipping channel (14 Puget Sound) is
intermittant at best. On the other hand, my inexpensive West Marine hand
held VHF (also a Uniden) receives 14 loud and clear. I've checked the
antenna connections and all seems good. Suggestions?

Jerry Schroeder
M/V Surprise
21' Ranger R21
Ballard WA>