SSB antenna problem

[tkeithlu]

Icom 725, steel boat. only 13 ft of mast available for wire antenna separated from a shroud. Antenna directly into LDG IT-100 antenna tuner. Tuner cannot make a match. What next? free-standing Shakespeare antenna? Help appreciated. --Tim.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Icom 725, steel boat. only 13 ft of mast available for wire antenna separated from a shroud. Antenna directly into LDG IT-100 antenna tuner. Tuner cannot make a match. What next? free-standing Shakespeare antenna? Help appreciated. --Tim.

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I use a Shakespeare 21 ft whip antenna on my trawler and it works OK.

[btrayfors]

You didn't say what type/size your boat is.

Verticals work well, particularly with steel hulls. You have a built-in ground plane.

Yes, a Shakespeare marine SSB antenna should work fine, the longer the better.

Bill

[CarstenWL]

... on what frequency did you made your test? On the higher bands (20-30MHz) the tuner should be able to tune your wire.

If it fails to tune there you have another problem but 13ft is too short for the lower bands ...

Carsten

[tkeithlu]

Thank you for the help. Follow up questions: A whip will pass close to my VHF antenna and radar. Any problems? Also, what is the effect of part of the antenna being beside a steel hull rather than over it? Thanks in advance.

[aldahat]

Only one wire ??? I believe you need a Unun..But I have been wrong before....

[CarstenWL]

A whip will pass close to my VHF antenna and radar. Any problems?

Normally no problem

Also, what is the effect of part of the antenna being beside a steel hull rather than over it?

It will have an effect on the 'antenna length the tuner sees' but the tuner should 'compensate' for this and radiation in this direction might be 'reduced'.

You should put a ground strap from the tuner GND lug to your hull (in case you forgot) ...

Carsten

[ericoh88]

Hi tkeithlu

I am not familiar with your tuner, LDG IT-100 antenna tuner.
IMHO, the tuner is a narrow band tuner for a dipole. So this will not work for
a end fed long wire.

13ft long wire? Too short to work the lower band like 40M.

Eric