Backstay for SSB antenna

[BentP]

This has probably been discussed before, but I need some basic understanding.

Our 52' ketch has had a SSB installation once, which has been removed by PO. The two mizzen backstays both has insulators top and bottom, as has the top-stay that goes from top of mizzen to main mast.

I have never found a describtion that sugggest more than one stay to be used as antenna, so why do I have what appears to be 3 stays prepared for that? Any suggestions?

I should mention that I have heard one time that the top stay should be insulated to avoid it from inducing interference. Sounds like black magic to me.


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[transmitterdan]

Probably only one back stay was the antenna. Probably the other stays were insulated so that they did not block the signal. If these other 2 stays were grounded to the boat they would reduce the signal maybe a lot. I would not worry about it. Just use one back stay as the antenna and don't change the other stays.

[btrayfors]

On a ketch with split backstays, like your Amel, one of the most effective SSB antennas is ONE of the two backstays and the triatic stay between the truck of the mizzen and the truck of the main mast. This can work very well.

The idea is to use just ONE backstay, and tie this electrically to the triatic stay, so that the antenna includes one backstay AND the triatic stay.

Scott, WA0LSS, uses such a setup on his 60' ketch, and it works very well.

Bill

[BentP]

Btrayfors, I might just try that, sounds logic. So I will just leave the other back-stay as it is and go with the two others,

Thanks guys, this is a wonderfull forum