MYST installations...LONG!!
Ok.. This is gonna be long!!!!The radio is an ICOM 706 MKII G..Tuner is a SGC 237, backstay is insulated in two places..The top approx 3 ft from the mast, bottom about 6 ft up..The tuner is mounted to the rudder bearing support in the lazaret, with the feed running out and up to the crimp above the bottom insulator, where it has a ss hose clamp attaching it the crimp..Feed line from the radio to the tuner is RG-8X, by Anchor..I used the center conductor out of some old RG-213 as the jumper from the tuner, wich is really part of the antenna, to the backstay...It runs along the pushput and then up the backstay, held with tiewraps..I can hear the knashing of teeth now..No I haven't noticed a bit of trouble routing it this way, tried it away from everything, and then up against, no difference noted in signal reports from the same stations..Ground plane, is 3 inch copper foil, run fore/aft, with bronze screening installed in the "wetted" lockers/compartments..This is all connected to the copper foil, with foil where able, with leftover coaxial sheild from some RG-213 where not able to get the foil through..The screening is glued down with liquid nails..There is also a dyna plate, installed by MYST's privious owner (who also installed the insulated backstay), that is also tied into the RF grounding system...The rest of the installation is a KAM Plus TNC (terminal node controller) for email, and WX Fax, and running data keyboard to keyboard..I also have the MFJ TNC/Mike switch to keep me from going nuts trying to keep all the bit and pieces at th same ground potential..TNC's plugged in to HF radios is one of the biggest cuase of lousy, distorted SSB signals going...Just about every distorted SSB signal I hear is instantly cleared up when we ask if the TNC is plugged in and they unplug it...The other reason is low batteries...Covers almost 100 % of them!The radio sells for around $800 bucks right now..Tuner on HRO's web site is $329, insulators are around 100 bucks or so, Amatuer Radio License is free...As far as insulating the backstay goes, you can get away with just using a single insulator near the mast, then you can feed teh chainplate from the tuner, which will feed the backstay, yes I know this makes the WHOLE backstay RF hot, but your not going to grab it while the transmitter is keys, trust me...I know several installatins that have a single insulator, with no one ever getting bit, etc...As far as the hatch being hard on the butt, who cares!!! It is easy to get to the available storage in that void now!!! I had thought about installing it on the from of the seat, and in some ways it would have been easier, except for getting things in and out..Just think how much fun it would be to be digging around in that locker on your hands and knees, with a little bit of bounce..Much nicer this way..Also, all the space is now useable..besides, how long ya gonna sit in there??? Water, water, water ya know.. *G*MYST is at Camp Lejune, on the New River..73 Edbt