Need Some HAM/SSB Advise

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Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,201
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
In order to get more familiar with marine SSB, I recently purchased a used ICOM ssb. My boat has an insulated backstay and copper foil ground. I do not have an antenna tuner. My question is: can I use one of the common manual tuners commonly listed on e-bay? Here is one description: "The MFJ-941E gives you a 300 Watt antenna tuner that covers everything from 1.8 - 30 MHz." That seems to cover the frequencies on the SSB. Is there anything I'm missing that would make that incompatable? The ICOM automatic tuners are rarely sold without the radio and just might exceed the cost of this used SSB. And, yes, I will be taking a class, and I am fully licensed. Thanks for your advice. Rick D.
 
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Bill Bell

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Dec 5, 2003
204
Hunter 420 Punta Gorda, FL
A Manual Tuner Will Work

A manual tuner will work. Use low power which is 20 watts with the Icom 710 when tuning. Write down the tuner settings for each band used so you can set the knobs to be almost tuned when you change bands. Be aware that your antenna is everything past the tuner which is the wire that goes through the boat to get to the backstay. You might look for an SGC tuner. They are sometimes available on EBay. They are automatic and will tune when RF is applied. I use one on my boat to tune a dummy shroud (no backstay). Bill
 
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Ed Schenck

It better work.

I did the same thing Rick, bought an MFJ tuner off of E-Bay. On Jan. 10 I will finally take the HAM test. One of the winter projects is to use the tractor battery and test various antenna designs. I do not plan to cut into my backstay so I have to come up with something else.
 
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Jack Tyler

This is kinda funny...

Rick, this is like deju vu...all over again. Of course, a manual tuner will work. Choose one with dual needles (MFJ makes several models like this) which will allow you to dial in your lowest SWR very easily. Probably hard to imagine but using a manual tuner used to be the only way 99% of SSB users were able to tune their rigs for a given freq...and that wasn't all that long ago. Jack Jack
 
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Ron

Manual is best

An automatic tuner will accept anything under 3.0 to 1 while a manual tuner can be tuned to the absolute best swr. I use one with all my ham rigs both at home and on the boat. Remember, the radio and tuner only make up a portion of your rig. The antenna is the real challange. With a manual tuner you can tune a shopping cart, but you won't like the results. Be sure to put up a good wire... Ron/KA5HZV
 
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Ron

Yeah!!!! Ed

Can't wait until you get your ticket. Looking forward to working you both with CW and SSB Ron/KA5HZV
 
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Ed Schenck

A shopping cart?!

Ron, that was not one of the options that you gave me. My first attempt will be the 16.3 foot dipole for 20 meters. Then the shopping cart. Do you hang that from a halyard or just leave it on the deck(with good rubber wheels of course). :)
 
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Gregg

When do the nets start?

Always wondered how many hams were active on these forums. The MFJ manual tuners are inexpensive and work great. I think the 949E is the most popular one on the air. Tuner/SWR-Power meter/dummy load all in one box, for about $120 at Ham Radio Outlet. KE2SX
 
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BP

MFJ manual tuners

MFJ makes a number of manual tuners. I use one on my boat. A manual does allow you to get the lowest swr. But, most of the MFJ manual tuners have a letter suffix, which relates to the brand of radio that it is wired for. Make sure that you get a tuner specifically wired for your radio. MFJ will be happy to help you with that info if you call them.
 
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Vic

I used a MFJ 941c /706 combo on my buddy's cat ...

off the Bahamas to his 23 ft. whip and had good reports on 14.300 maritime net. Ran a piece of coax to the tap on the whip and grounded the coax shield to the aft stainless steel railing the whip was mounted near. Good reports from a auto U.S. mobile, and sent a few position/status reports to family through a couple of other land stations on that net. The 706 has a low power tune gizmo available on ebay for under $10 and a 941c just sold for $48 ... but I couldn't justify bidding at that price. Most of the icom general coverage transcievers can be "opened" up to tranmit on the marine channels "for Emergency purposes" ... But you will probably be better off with the ham nets as there seem to be more relay stations that can receive your transmissions. Vic "Seven" K1IVX/CA6
 
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Jose Venegas

Can you guys recomend a good and

short book for starters on the art of SSB radio communication?.
 
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Gregg

Good start for ham SSB...

Jose - follow this link for all kinds of good info for getting started in ham radio. BTW - love that B-361 of yours....
 
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Jose Venegas

Great link, Gregg

Thanks a lot for the info, and the compliment for Ipanema. Let me know if you make it this far north by water or ground and perhaps we can take her out (assuming, of course, it happens after next spring) ;)
 
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Gregg

Jose - thanks for the invite.......

and if you have any questions about getting started, shoot me an e-mail. The ARRL's license manuals are very easy to understand, and interesting, too. You may be able to pick them up at the local Radio Shack or Border's bookstore, as well as at the ARRL website. Gregg KE2SX@arrl.net
 
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Ron

Don't forget CW

Don't forget you need to learn CW to get a general class license. Don't settle for a Tech. ticket. You can't do much with 2 meters when you're out on the oceans. CW is not only required, it's fun and at times of poor propogation, very useful. Don't believe the stories about CW going away anytime soon. It's easy to learn. Check the link below... Ron
 
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Jeff M21319

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Dec 6, 2003
295
Macgregor 26D Pollock Pines, Ca.
Hey Ron-Have you tried that 'Code Quick'?

The course shown in the link you provided sounds really good, have you tried it? Was it as good as they say? I've been a no-code tech for about 12 years but should really get off my lazy butt and upgrade. Especially now that 5 wpm is all you need to go all the way to extra. Never really needed a higher license as all my ham time is with SAR (we use a high-end repeater system on 146.805 for long range comm.) but now that I'm getting into sailing it's obviuos I need to upgrade for HF priveleges. I've also thought it might be fun to act as a land station for cruisers in the Pacific as my location is great for DX in that direction. (130 miles east of San Francisco at 4000' elevation) Anyhow, it's cool to know there are some other hams on this site. Jeff S/V Katrina Marie KD6KNA
 
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Rod

Manual tuner is fine!

I used to use an mfj manual tuner on a boat of mine many years ago. It will work just fine. Only problem is to tune the freq you are going to use and make a note of the settings; then, when you use that same freq again, you can adjust the knobs pretty much spot on. BTW, the best auto tuner on the market for my buck is the SGC unitCheck ou t their website for different models). 73's
 
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Jon Hacking

Some Ham/SSB advise

The MFJ-941 manual tuner should be fine. That's what I've been using for several years now. It will actually get a better SWR than the autos, but it takes time. Please tune off freq, or you'll get yelled at. Check the link below for our installation & some info about radio email (VERY cool for cruising). Fair winds -- Jon http://hackingfamily.com
 
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