ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

[davil]

Hi
have an Icom 710 complete set with autotuner etc.
Installed new in 1997? when went cruising and used it for about 4 years.
Will a whip antennae give me a semi-satisfactory? considering will never replace a proper backstay install?
Use will be limited to weather faxes and occasional net contacts.
For emergencies carry Garmin Inreach EPIRB etc
Weather reports are now available n so many sources,including an inexpensive simple SSB radio like Grundig and similar.
I thought about selling the set but the prices are so low that is almost not worthy
thanks

[Hartleyg]

The setup you have should work just fine with a 23' whip, assuming a good ground connection (bronze plate, thru-hulls, counterpoise, etc.). Even a 16' whip will work fairly well, though transmitting range below about 10/12 MHz will be much reduced.



I even used a 108" CB whip for a short time on my M700Pro & AT-130 - and it worked fine in receive, though transmitting was poor below 21 MHz.


73 DE Hartley
S/V Atsa

[davil]

thanks 73 DE Hartley

[Hartleyg]

Glad to help! HF-SSB isn't dead, though it certainly doesn't get high billing these days - it's not super easy to install a good working HF radio, and operating HF requires radio op skills that seem to be in short supply these days

But if there is a real disaster around you (think hurricane, flood or earthquake) the satellites will not be very available because every bureaucrat and EM wannabe anywhere near will have their satfone on and talking.


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[jamhass]

There is also the KISS "clip-on" antenna. Folks seem to either love it or hate it, but it is easy to install.

[davil]

I thought the Kiss was to replace the grounding but not the antennae.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by jamhass

There is also the KISS "clip-on" antenna. Folks seem to either love it or hate it, but it is easy to install.

The kiss thinghy is a ground plane....not an antenna.

[Hartleyg]

KISS makes a "grounding" counterpoise system, but they also sell an antenna that simply straps to the normal, grounded backstay. I've never used one, but they look easy to install.



Hartley
S/V Atsa

[MartinR]

I have used a clip on split wire antenna. Actually not bad, considering there must be losses to the stay. When measured for certification, it was a little lower output than a wire antenna, but perfectly acceptable. Probably better than a whip. Depends on the length of the whip of course.

[roverhi]

The main issue with whip antennas is corrosion at the connections attenuating the output. Dielectric grease and cleaning when the signal degrades may be required. You can make a simple backstay standoff antenna using short pieces of small diameter pvc pipe, zip ties and an appropriate long length of wire for the antenna.

[Elie]

I've tried with success to connect a simple isolated electrical wire of roughly 40 ft length raised when needed with a halyard up the rigging. With an antenna tuner it worked well on ham bands. The only precaution is that the cable is not too close to the standing rigging. Naturally, a good conterpoise ground is an essential thing to insure solid transmission. In my case, I've simply connected my 5 metal water tanks .
Obviously one had to be carefull when under sail. The boom topping lift can be used as a path for this antenna , with a little bit on ingenuity and some coax cable.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by davil

thanks 73 DE Hartley

You might need a bit of a refresher in the "lingo" as well?

"DE" stands for "from"


73 DE heinz, VK2STM

[zboss]

Originally Posted by Elie

The only precaution is that the cable is not too close to the standing rigging.

Even if the cable is insulated?

[Freedom45]

I have a Icom M710. On old boat used whip and Kiss counterpoise, worked great throughout the Pacific.
Transfered radio, tuner and whip to new boat...works great.


Cheers

[davil]

Originally Posted by Freedom45

I have a Icom M710. On old boat used whip and Kiss counterpoise, worked great throughout the Pacific.
Transfered radio, tuner and whip to new boat...works great.


Cheers

thanks decided to go that way and for antenna will not use the backstay,I do not have access to any good rigger here so found this outfit
"http://gamelectronicsinc.com/products/tg-series/"
and can get by with couple of choices,one is a dedicated for weather fax receive only and that was my primary objective

"David,
I would recommend our Weather Fax/DSC Mini Series Antenna - I have provided you a link below. The reason I suggest this is because your Icom 710 has a maximum output power of 150 Watts which is the Weather fax/ DSC's power rating. This is a receive only antenna specifically hand tuned to maximize signal strength for improved fax reception. We also have a Mini Series Weather Fax/DSC Antenna that is duel banded to included FM broadcasting stations from 88-108 MHz. Both of the above mentioned products are listed at $75.00. You can click the link below to read more and refer back to me with any questions you may have.

GAMelectronicsinc.com"

price is reasonable the worse will be a $ 75.00 loss.
If needed when I get to an area with more marine services can always use the back stay.
All in all for less than $ 300.00 can save my Icom and is almost what will cost me a good quality Grundig or similar.