SSB or HAM Antenna

[Bob Teeter]

Does anyone have any experience with antenna and grounding systems?I have a 1990 C 42 and question if it is best to use the back stay or use a second antenna wire for the installation. I have seen both. Also interested in opinions as to the use of copper foil for the grounding loop or a combination with the keel and engine included.I'm looking at installing the Icom IC-M710 with a Icom AT-130 antenna tuner. With the addition of a laptop and proper modum, I should be able to have communication via the HAM network from Mexico and beyond.

[Mike s/v Chute the Breeze]

Bob, Take a look at the news group rec.boats.electronics. This is a hot topic there. As for a grounding sys it seems that reeling out a wire and draging it behind is best or is ok..or least work and expense. I'm planning on installing my ham radio in the boat this spring and I'm going to try the wire ant first w/tuner and everything in my boat has been bonded w/#2 copper some sort of lightning protection, so we'll see how that ground works and if not I'll go with the wire. As u can tell I use the KISS system first (keep it simple stupid)befor I go cutting my back stay and stickin copper foil on the bottom..my $.02 worth Mike WD9EOU C-38 mosilver@netnitco.net Michigan City, IN

[Warren]

Bob- From my perspective as an antenna engineer, use the backstay. Ideally, any antenna should be kept away from conductors such as the mast and backstay, lest they interfere with the antenna's performance (ability to accept and radiate RF and radiation pattern). This is tough on a sailboat - except for short antennas (ie: approx 10meters [and above] where 1/4 wavelength is about 7+ ft. So by using the backstay, at least one of the potential interferences is eliminated. As to a "ground plane", all you theoretically need is a "return". The engine/hull wiring is plenty (of metal). The aft pulpit should be sufficient but might feel a bit "hot", so should be tied in to engine/wiring. Good Luck,  Warren

[Michael Yorke]

Bob, I have a backstay antenna on my C42 Mk II. I also have a Questus backstay radar mount. My backstay antenna is very effective. I use it for marine and amateur band work. The radio is an SGC2000 PowerTalk with the SGC230 automatic antenna tuner. The tuner and the SGC2000 body are mounted in the port and starboard lazarettes. The output of the tuner exits the swim platform through a cable clam, runs up the inside of the Questus mount, exits at the top and is then soldered/clamped to the backstay above the insulator. It works very well indeed. The SGC2000 and the 230 have 3" wide copper grounding strap running back to the rudder post and from there under the fresh water pump to the engine block, and from there to a keel bold in the aftermost bilge. The grounding arrangement seems to be effective. I would tend to keep away from second wires for the antenna. I tried putting a dipole on the boat, once, and it is too much of a mess and a hassle with the feeder and the support halyards. The backstay certainly works for me.Michael Yorke (NT2R)C42 Mk II, #573, Certa CitoPort Washington, Long Island, New York

[Rick Lioio]

I installed an ICOM 710G with an AT-4 tuner on my C42. The tuner went in the aft lazarette and I ran 3" copper foil to the shaft strut and then to a Guest ground plate behind the keel which the dealer recommended. The dealer installed backstay insulators and I adjusted the total length of feed and backstay to about 43' to get good performance on 80-10 meters despite the conventional wisdom to make the antenna as long as possible. It works great and I am able to get consistent Email reception. In fact, I don't think the ground plate was necessary. I also used many ferrite chokes to protect the other electronics on the boat. I can transmit without affecting the AP, radar or GPS. SSB is a must have to get weather and keep in touch.Rick, "Dolfino"

[Bill Byrd]

On a previous Catalina 22 that I had, I definately kept it simple. I used a Hustler mast and HF resonator mounted to my pulpit for ham work, mostly on the 80 and 40 meter bands. For the return, I started out measuring a 1/4 wavelength counter poise trailed behind me. It got tangled in the prop once and cut to about 20 feet. I left it that way because everyone began saying that I had a stronger signal from the boat than frome my home. Most of my cruising was along Florida's west coast out to 15 miles. I know that atmospheric conditions play a large part in transmition/reception, but I never had any problem communicating with whomever I wanted.Bill ByrdCurrently C-30"Eagle's Nest"