Steel Boat Ham Radio Antenna Installation

[conachair]

With discussion on a UK forum this is as far as we've got onboard so far. Steel cutter, battery neg attached to engine block/hull in only one place.

Screen in 4 core control cable between radio and atu will be connected at one end only. No connection between radio ground lug & hull as batt neg provides this already and might cause a ground loop. Ground between atu & hull fitted with capacitors to provide dc block.


Any comments?

ta

[hpeer]

No, but I'm waiting and thanks for the thread.

I have some ground questions on our steel boat as well.

[S/V Alchemy]

Same here. My understanding is that if you get this part right, you can broadcast to Mars. Screw it up and your feet tingle every time you key the mic and the fishing is TERRIBLE.

[donradcliffe]

I think I hear Mars calling...that setup should work fine without electrolysis problems. The only tricky bit with a steel hull is not to lose to much signal on the line to the insulated backstay. Minimize the run inside the boat, no sharp corners, and use standoffs on the uninsulated part of the backstay and the steel parts.

I had a friend whose NZ 'expert installers' ran his antenna line up inside an aluminum arch for about 10 feet. He couldn't hear the Mrs, let alone Mars till we reran it outside.

[S/V Alchemy]

Heh. OK, I'm new to the SSB, but before wine, women and song beckoned in my teens, I had the focus to put together a CB directional antenna on a salvaged free-standing TV tower (cable TV was getting popular). Dicking about with the SWR meter and getting checks from guys at the horizon were very educational!

Running the antenna inside the arch? Not much of a learning experience!