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

[Robert Seastream]

Hmm...never occurred to me that the backstay wouldn't necessarily  have 
to be insulated.  Might be a problem transmitting at dockside if tied 
into shore power, though.  I don't know if the AC ground and the DC 
ground (engine/backstay/etc.) are common.  I'm looking towards using 
either an IC-735 or IC-7000 with an autotuner on trips.

Bob Seastream
'Intuition' hull 906


On Mar 29, 2007, at 3:15 PM, Pat Tyler wrote:

> Barry,
> What I did was since the transmission line was already ran to the aft 
> rail I soldered a piced of #10 wire to the center conductor about 6" 
> long.  I then used a stainless clamp that fit around the backstay 
> placing the #10 wire inside the clamp.  During the first 5 or 6 months 
> I constantly checked the connection to make sure I wouldn't have any 
> problems.  It's been about two years now and no problems.  I left the 
> mount for the ham stick installed with quick disconnects so I can 
> switch back should the need arise.  Real simple and works fine.  No, I 
> don't need to change the position for different bands just retune.  
> I'm currently watching e-bay trying to pick up an auto tuner for the 
> 706, but the MFJ941 works fine.  It's just getting old.
> Pat
> Jannie T #834
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barry Fahrer" 
> <bfahrer at lisurveyor.com>
> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: 03/29/2007 2:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ham radio (or SSB) antenna
>
>
>> I would be interested to find out where you taped in to the back 
>> stay.  Do you have to change the load point for different bands?
>> Thanks;
>> BARRY, KQ2G --... ...--
>> C-320 # 126
>> GLEN COVE LINY
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Tyler" <ptyler4 at sc.rr.com>
>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 1:21 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ham radio (or SSB) antenna
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>
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