SSB reciever options

[ruedi ross]

WE are planning a 3 week trip on the sea of cortez next spring with our Hunter 260. I am considering using a SSB reciever (recieve only no transmit) to monitor the daily weather reports. Does anyone have any suggestions, comments? Sources for recievers? I am thinking about hoisting a wire with a spare halyard for an antenna. I don't want a permanent antenna because I trailer. Could I use a length of wire lowered into the water for a ground? do I even need a ground for recieve only? TIA, Ross

 

[patrick]

Ground is probably not needed

If you are only receiving and not transmitting, the hoisted wire is probably fine. There are a lot of fine receivers. I have always liked Icoms but my old Drake 2B will probably always be my favorite. It would not be practical on a boat since it is a vacuum tube model.You could look for a good radio at these sites:http://www.aesham.com http://www.hamradio.com http://www.universal-radio.com

 

[Ken Stickrath]

Single Side Band Receiver

Your best bet for weather information via single side band is to buy a small portable battery powered receiver. You do not need a ground--that is for the transmitters. The receiver should come with a roll up antenna that you plub into the radio--run through a hatch and clip somewhere above deck. I usually clip mine to the edge of the jib. The Grundig Yachboy will work (see West Marine Catalog) or a friend bought a suitable set from Radio Shack. A handy feature to have is a built in recorder--as you can't always follow the forecast--the ability to replay it can be useful. I bought a Sangean radio from a ham radio equipment store and it was expensive but has ALL the bells and whistles. Where to find the weather broadcasts I will leave up to you--I'm not familiar with the Sea of Cortez. I was confused about the fequencies and how you input them into the radio. They are listed with decimels and to enter them you don't need the "." you just punch in the numbers and then "enter". I hope this helps you--