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ka4wja ka4wja is offline

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  1. Higherfield26
    Hi John, I've been reading your posts with interest. We head out, with out 2 kids (13 & 10) in 5 weeks - to cruise the Med, cross over the Atlantic in Nov and maybe go to Central America, time dependent. We have an SSB on board (no experience on using it though), an Inmarsat phone, EPIRB, a 'normal' VHF.. My main concern is getting weather. I think I should be able to do this via PredictWind & the Inmarsat, but I was interested in your use of SSB. We don't have a fax on board any longer (and don't really want to add) - did I see you could somehow connect this to a laptop & download? I'm not sure where to start with that & would value your advice, if you have a free moment!! Many best wishes, Kathy
  2. Seattle 519
    Suggestions on the best way to learn how to use our ICOM M802 here in Seattle? Should I join a Ham group?
  3. longjonsilver
    Thank you John for all the help on radios. Recently i have been investigating the purchase of a boat in Florida and need to bring her back to NS. i plan on installing an AIS before heading offshore and your recent post on splitters/cables/AIS/VHS has been valuable. Thanks again jon
  4. gchabs
    Second question. The cabling from the rear of the tuner main unit to the AT-140 travels along the same path as the cables coming from the MPPT controller to the battery and other cables going to the AIS, speaker wires, etc. In fact, the antenna coax and power cable to the tuner are bundled together with those wires and tucked under the headliner. I plan on trying to find an alternative route to the tuner that does not follow the same path as these other cables. If, however, I cannot find one, do you have any suggestions on how to reduce any RFI that might occur from that arrangement. As always, thank you very much for all your assistance. Believe me, it is appreciated very much. George
  5. gchabs
    John: This is George, owner of the sailboat struck by lightning you have been providing a assistance to. I have a couple of questions which I will have to post in two separate messages. While my units are at ICOM, I have been reading the info provided and looking at your videos. This has caused me to rethink the installation of my set. First question, my 4" copper ground plane strap is attached to a tapped screw in the bronze base of the rudder post. I am questioning whether this is sufficient. My Frigoboat refrigerator cooling system is attached to a bronze plate located under the waterline. Would it make sense to attach the strap to that plate rather than the rudder post. In the alternative, would it hurt to simply add a second copper strap and attach it to the Frigoboat cooling plate as well as the rudder post?
  6. Verschuijten
    Hi John,

    First of all, I had some problems with my M802/ pactor 4 but following your advise gave me the solution and everything is working fine now except the rf noise in my boat.
    One of the main rf noise comes from the fridge and freezer. I choked the power cables however I have a clamp-on ferrit which I could lead one time more thru. I also shortened the thermostat wires which were looped and added an additional ferrit clamp on. No results.
    The other problem comes from my solar panels, I have 3 arrays which are in series with 3 separate Victron Smart MPPT chargers. A 150/45, a 100/50 and a 100/30. All give rf noise.
    I saw your reply on somebody's problem about solar MPPT chargers but I still don't see solutions.
    A friend of me suggested a 10000uF Capacitor over the power cables. Not sure if this gives the solution. Any thoughts?
    Kind regards,
    John
    PD2DAY
  7. pfiorentino
    Hi,

    I am located in Miami, FL. I have a 61 Oyster Sloop.
    I installed an ICOM 803 and Pactor DR-7803.
    I like to hire you on a day rate. You are happy to stay on my boat.

    There are two missions. Get my installation working of the SSB best possible.
    Could be simple, something I am not seeing.
    Followed your outline but there must be something I do not understand.
    Once SSB is the best it can be, configure all I need to use SailMail.

    I am flexible in timing. In May the boat will be in Ft. Lauderdale if this is better for you.



    Patrick Fiorentino
    pf at talismanmail dot com
    Cell 305-588-6880
  8. Oohla
    Based on your advice I have hung 200’ of wire in erratic loop 20 -40 feet attaching ends to the poles ot the ICOM AH-4 and it works like you said it would, but I don’t understand why. Using a MFJ SWR Analyzer it doesn’t have a low SWR anywhere. I guess in effect 1/2 is a random wire and other 1/2 is the counterpoise. Right?
    George KC1GXB
  9. CatPeople
    Hi John, Stan Honey has a well-known article about grounding boat systems including radio. He suggests copper foil grounding connector and to avoid potential issues with galvanic corrosion, suggests creating a bridge between ground foil and metal through-hull using several 0.15 uF capacitors in parallel that bridge a gap in the ground foil's continuity. This lets RF through but blocks DC current that might cause corrosion issues. Do you know anything more about how to design this - what voltage capacitor and how many are recommended. How much RF current is flowing through the ground foil when using typical marine or ham HF bands and up to 150 W of transmitter power? Appreciate any info or insights you can provide. I was not able to find much at all in terms of these details on the internet. Thanks, Charlie
  10. AndDavRos
    Good evening John,

    In some of your posts you mention a 'Rope Antenna'. Is this the antenna made by w3ate with the element actually inside of a rope? Have you used these, and if so, what are your thoughts on them? I came across this idea a while back and liked it, but haven't been able to find anyone who has used it. Any inputs would be appreciated.

    73's,
    Shawn
    KD7FPS
    S/V Firefly

About Me

  • About ka4wja
    Vessel Make/ model
    Catalina 470
    Vessel Name
    Annie Laurie
    Location
    Florida
    Occupation
    semi-retired engineer
    Interests
    Electronics, Ham Radio, Teaching,
    Biography
    https://www.qrz.com/db/KA4WJA

    and

    https://www.c470.jerodisys.com/470pix/foto_bot.htm
  • Signature
    John, KA4WJA
    s/v Annie Laurie, WDB6927
    MMSI# 366933110

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  • Last Activity: 06-08-2023 12:11
  • Join Date: 14-05-2007
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