[C320-list] Ham radio (or SSB) antenna

[Pat Tyler]

Sounds like a good setup Bruce.  I use a Icom 706 MK II with a manual tuner 
also.  First I tried a hamstick on the aft rail.  It worked ok but I decided 
to try just connecting the center conductor from the coax directly to the 
backstay.  (Not Insualted)  Works great.  A friend of mine with an Island 
Packet used this set up and told me about it.  Tunes on all bands with 
little effort and I get excellent signal reports.  Easy install.
Pat
W4DAG
Jannie T #834

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce Walters" <brucewalt at msn.com>
To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: 03/29/2007 9:47 AM
Subject: [C320-list] Ham radio (or SSB) antenna


>
> I use a ICOM 730.  It's an older ICOM I have used for years both in the 
> shack at home, then mobile in car and now on boat.   I also use a manual 
> antenna tuner.  Most installations I have seen use an automatic ant tuner 
> but I perfer the manual type, largely because I use two antennas. This 
> tuner allows me to switch between antennas without disconnecting either - 
> they stay connected to the tuner all the time.
>
> The main antenna is the insulated backstay.  The second is a "spyder" 
> mobile antenna that is mounted on the port aft rail.  Band conditions and 
> the actual band I'm on determine which antenna I use.  Usually the 
> backstay.
>
> The ground is 3" wide copper straping I bought at WM.  It is designed to 
> connect (usually) an automatic tuner to the ground in the boat.  This 
> straping is folded back and forth on itself to make up a approx 3' x 3' 
> "blanket" of foil that I have attached to the aft inside compartment - 
> under the helm, you access through the small opening in the aft cabin. I 
> placed a rubber door mat over this foil to protect it.  Since I have a 
> manuel tuner, I connected the shield of the coax to the foil grould and 
> the center to the backstay.
>
> The Spyder antenna uses the rail as the ground.
>
> This arrangement has worked OK.  A ground plate mounted through the hull 
> might be better but more expensive (much More) and requires a haul out to 
> install.
>
> Another Ham down the pier simply usues a mobile antenna on the aft railing 
> and it seems to work well. If fact he takes it for boat to boat as he 
> sometimes crews on other boats.  Last year he was able to use winlink 
> (email) from Texas to Veracruz Mexico and back with no problems.
>
> A lot depends on the radio you will be using.  I suggest you experiment a 
> bit before going to the expense of the mounted plate and resulting holes.
>
> You should considering contacting a local ham radio club - most clubs are 
> happy to help others - expecially for a chance for a sail!
>
> Fair Winds,
>
> Bruce
> S/V Reality
>
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