SSB Antenna connection question.

[CaptNemoO2]

I tried searching but could not find an answer...

I currently have my rudder and associated steering gear out of the boat, which gives me good access to the other side of the lazarette where my antenna tuner is mounted. I figured I'll take this opportunity to reconnect the SSB that came with the boat (I've never used it). The antenna setup uses the back stay with an insulator at the top and bottom, the lower section is not grounded.

The problem I'm trying to work out is how to disconnect the antenna when needed. I need to remove both my backstays to fit into the travel lift at both ends of the season. In the backstay with the Questus mount, I have plenty of slack in the cables that run up it to get it clear of the lift. From what I understand, I don't want to have a coil of antenna between the tuner and the stay. The end that gets attached to the stay is about 20' of the deck and out of reach. I'm having trouble finding a single terminal connector, I guess I could always use a two pin connector. But then I had a thought, why not use a waterproof inline fuse holder. Instead of a fuse, I'll use a piece of copper rod to make the connection.

Does anybody see a problem with this?

Also, does the cable need to be held away from the stay even if it's not grounded at the lower end?

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[Paul Elliott]

First, consider bypassing the lower insulator, and connecting your antenna cable to the bottom of the still-ungrounded stay. That way you have easy access when you want to disconnect the cable. If you are concerned that someone will grab the backstay when you are transmitting, you can put a plastic sleeve around the lower portion of the backstay.

Otherwise, yes, a fuse holder will work as a disconnect. A high-amperage fuse is probably as good as a copper rod to make the connection.

Since the lower portion of the backstay is ungrounded, there's no reason to stand off the antenna cable.

[CaptNemoO2]

Thanks Paul! Both of those answers were what I was hoping for.

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