I am thinking of purchasing a SSB Radio for my 430. The experts tell me that the backstay would normally insulated and then used as an antenna. Problem is,I do not have a back stay,I was wondering if one of the shrouds would do... Any suggestions, Gerry
- Status
The Problem is
that you will have to insulate the shroud. The question is how much strain the insulator can stand and how much strain the shroud is under when the wind is howling. The other problem is that the other shrouds will distort the antenna pattern as they act like more antennas. It will not be a true circular pattern. The backstay probably wasn't either. Unless you can find someone who has done this mod, you will be experimenting.
that you will have to insulate the shroud. The question is how much strain the insulator can stand and how much strain the shroud is under when the wind is howling. The other problem is that the other shrouds will distort the antenna pattern as they act like more antennas. It will not be a true circular pattern. The backstay probably wasn't either. Unless you can find someone who has done this mod, you will be experimenting.
Stand-up SSB Antenna
My neighbor used a standard whip antenna on his 420 and it worked great on his Baja trip. Another friend put an extra shroud, light gauge, to act as a dedicated antenna. His has never worked well, but I don't know if it has anything to do with the antenna or not. RD
My neighbor used a standard whip antenna on his 420 and it worked great on his Baja trip. Another friend put an extra shroud, light gauge, to act as a dedicated antenna. His has never worked well, but I don't know if it has anything to do with the antenna or not. RD
Whip
I did my whole SSB install myself and faced the same problem.. I ended up using the whip and have great results..Even my HF email provider was impressed.. I have talked to a few folks who have mounted another stay ( i have seen them on Ebay for $80) and they have good success as well.. Brian
I did my whole SSB install myself and faced the same problem.. I ended up using the whip and have great results..Even my HF email provider was impressed.. I have talked to a few folks who have mounted another stay ( i have seen them on Ebay for $80) and they have good success as well.. Brian
Gerry,
I installed an Icom M802 SSB on my 420 2 years ago. For an antenna I ran a "psudo" backstay (3/8" low stretch braided polyester) from top of mast to the outboard end of the starboard davit arm. To this "backstay", I attached an appropriate length of antenna lead-in wire to function as the actual antenna. I put the Tuner in the starboard stern locker. Works just fine.. I've talked to people on various nets for the past 2 years up and down the East Coast and in the Caribbean. Running the copper ground foil was alot more hassel than putting up the antenna.
I installed an Icom M802 SSB on my 420 2 years ago. For an antenna I ran a "psudo" backstay (3/8" low stretch braided polyester) from top of mast to the outboard end of the starboard davit arm. To this "backstay", I attached an appropriate length of antenna lead-in wire to function as the actual antenna. I put the Tuner in the starboard stern locker. Works just fine.. I've talked to people on various nets for the past 2 years up and down the East Coast and in the Caribbean. Running the copper ground foil was alot more hassel than putting up the antenna.
Shrouds interact but might work
I have a friend with a ketch rig. He ran a wire up his mizzen mast(wood) and connected it to his insulated triatic stay. Lots of rf feedback. Careful about your ground system, too. Do not tie it into the other bonding and ground systems except through a capacitance isolation system. If you use just one or some frequencies, an inverted vee is a good choice which minimizes the rf ground problems. I have another friend who hoisted a huge three element 20 meter beam up his mast. Hard to get under way but he had a great signal.
I have a friend with a ketch rig. He ran a wire up his mizzen mast(wood) and connected it to his insulated triatic stay. Lots of rf feedback. Careful about your ground system, too. Do not tie it into the other bonding and ground systems except through a capacitance isolation system. If you use just one or some frequencies, an inverted vee is a good choice which minimizes the rf ground problems. I have another friend who hoisted a huge three element 20 meter beam up his mast. Hard to get under way but he had a great signal.
- Status