SSB RAdio in a Marina Environment

[lookoutnw]

I am having a lot of issues, to the point of not getting out and not hearing anyone pretty much.
I am smack dab in the middle of a large MAST FARM!
Another guy with the IC-M802 says he can't get out or hear anthing either.
I can hear a bit of digital packet on 14.070 using DIGIPAN, but that is it.
I am not able to hear or call to WLO or KLB either on any of their freqs.
I have the IC-802 and the KISS Counterpoise system on a 23' Shakespere 2 piece whip antenna. I am getting ready to make my 'long wire antenna' and maybe taht will help some. I jsut don't see how it could though.
Any help is appreciated. Especially those with the actual experience from the University of 'Been There, Done That'...

[h20man]

Originally Posted by lookoutnw

I am having a lot of issues, to the point of not getting out and not hearing anyone pretty much.
I am smack dab in the middle of a large MAST FARM!
Another guy with the IC-M802 says he can't get out or hear anthing either.
I can hear a bit of digital packet on 14.070 using DIGIPAN, but that is it.
I am not able to hear or call to WLO or KLB either on any of their freqs.
I have the IC-802 and the KISS Counterpoise system on a 23' Shakespere 2 piece whip antenna. I am getting ready to make my 'long wire antenna' and maybe taht will help some. I jsut don't see how it could though.
Any help is appreciated. Especially those with the actual experience from the University of 'Been There, Done That'...

Your avatar claims you are in WA. If so, try to listen to the time signal that is broadcast from Hawaii and from Colorado. It should sound something like this (could have more static... WWV_time_signal_-_20090904.ogg"] WWV Time Broadcast.

If the above link does not work, go to the wiki page and listen to the media there: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWV_(radio_station))

I also attempted to create an MP4 (as it would not allow me to upload a MP3 file)WWV.mp4



I would estimate that you are about 900+ miles away from fort collins, 2600 miles from Hawaii, so you should hear the signal on a frequency of 15Mhz adequately. I can tune this signal clearly (even in a marina) and listen to it on a small handheld receiver (Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio) with its little antenna, as well as my M802. I do have an isolation transformer so that reduces any noise from shore power, and I also have a 24V DC to 12V DC converter for my electronics, which also reduces noise on my M802.

Do not expect that the reception shall be land line phone quality or AM radio quality.

If you can not receive then ... that problem must be identified BEFORE you waste time trying to transmit.

Best of luck.

ps. You may want to get the little handheld, as it is perfect for getting WX GRIB files with low power...

[Celestialsailor]

Well...I can tell you propagation has been lousy for weeks now. All I get is static too. The cycle will come back and all will be well I'm sure. So try 10.000 for time

[daddle]

Move the boat away from the marina. Out in the open. Results often dramatically better.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by daddle

Move the boat away from the marina. Out in the open. Results often dramatically better.

Exactly correct! If you don't do this step, how will you know anything at all about the source of the noise that is confounding you?

IF when you are away from the marina the noise continues, then you will know that the problem is on your own boat, or that the rx is faulty. IF the problem vanishes or is at least markedly reduced, then the problem is external to the boat (and likely unsolvable by you).

In my long experience, marinas are terrible places to use HF radios. I often must relinquish my duties as net controller whilst in marinas (fortunately seldom).

LEt us know what results you get when you move the boat.

Cheers,

Jim
VK4GFT/N9GFT

[lookoutnw]

I am receiving the Time Hacks on 10, 15, 20 MHZ
I went away from the slip and yes, it is a bit clearer.
It is probably the issue with solar/atmosphere.
COmms have always played a vital role in my life since I was 10 yo. Not having good comms irritates me to no end.
Thanks for your input, and send me a PM and we can get on and test my system if you want.
I live on teh baot and usually check my emails/threads at least 5 times a day since it is raining all the time here....

[sww914]

You can call the USCG in San Francisco (or someplace closer but I don't have that info) at 415-669-2047
Ask to be transferred to the HF radio dept.
Ask them if you can run a test. I used 8291 and 12290 (itu channels 833 or 1221 respectively).
I was loud and clear and in a marina. They were easy to deal with.

[AnchorageGuy]

In a marina, boat masts, metal buildings and a whole host of issues present themselves at marinas when using our SSB. We don't even try to use it when at a marina dock. Get away and see how much better it works. Chuck

[Celestialsailor]

Propagation was slightly better today. I actually heard some traffic and was able to make feeble contact. Hopefully, we're on an uphill swing.