Geoff,
I'm 3000 miles away, and don't know of anyone in Long Beach (or S. CA) personally...but I've been designing, installing and using HF systems for 40+ years....and I'm sure if you describe your system, how it's wired, etc., we should be able to help you...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoff H.
Hi,
I'm looking for a recommendation for a HF Radio guy near to me in Long Beach, CA. I have a system installed, but would love to get a real radio head to assess it, help me to determine if it's optimum.
thanks for any help!
Geoff
s/v Un Mundo
|
Understand that the HF radio system is a "system" and not a bunch or
parts...
If you have a modern
marine HF rig and you followed a few simple (but very important) rules / recommendations, such as those I'll highlight here and in the Sailmail Primer, (and watch some videos), you should be fine...
https://sailmail.com/wp-content/uplo...2/smprimer.htm
Here are a half-dozen very important points....follow 'em (and the other recommendations), and you should be good to go....
1) Make sure the 12vdc
power is supplied directly from a suitable-sized
battery bank or large buss bar....NOT thru a distribution panel / breaker panel...
2) Remember your
antenna starts right at the top of the
remote antenna tuner....and the whole thing, GTO-15 feed wire, backstay (or whip) is your main HF antenna, not just the part outside or between the insulators...
3) A direct sea
water connection, is the best overall Antenna Ground / RF Ground....and using a low-impedance connection for this (such as 3" wide copper strap) is best....BUT...
But, don't obsess about this....
4) It is the
installation,
wiring, commissioning, and programming that can make a significant difference in HF radio performance...
5) The item above (#4) notwithstanding....
Knowledge of radiowave propagation and how Maritime HF communications works (and how to use the radio) is significantly more important than what radio you have and how it's installed!!!
6) Use a "line isolator" on the coax feedline, at the antenna tuner end....and plenty of ferrites on control and
power cables...
Have a look at these videos, and threads, for lots of great info....
Maritime HF
Communications
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y
HF-DSC Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX
Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr
Offshore Weather
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY
Marine SSB Stuff
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html
Sailmail Primer
https://sailmail.com/wp-content/uplo...2/smprimer.htm
Please let us know what you have, how it's wired, etc....and I'm sure we can be of more help...
And, you may wish to call Farrallon
Electronics, and ask them if they know anyone in Long Beach area....
http://www.farallon.us/webstore/
Fair winds...
John
P.S.
Knowledge of radiowave propagation and how Maritime HF communications works (and how to use the radio) is significantly more important than what radio you have and how it's installed!!!