Helia 44: SSB/Ham radio installation

[Sputi]

Hi,
i am planning to install Ham / amateur radio on board, not decided on grounding and antenna design yet, any tips or solutions available? any hams sailing Helia's or other cats?

73's Frank LA9KY

[mndreamchaser1]

Originally Posted by Sputi

Hi,
i am planning to install Ham / amateur radio on board, not decided on grounding and antenna design yet, any tips or solutions available? any hams sailing Helia's or other cats?

73's Frank LA9KY

We have a ICOM 802 on board. We opted for the GAM antenna, which attaches to the exterior of the upper shroud. No cutting. No insulators. So no compromise on the strength of the wire. We grounded with copper lengths in the hull, and we also installed a dyna plate for extra grounding.

The unit works well and no problems after three years.

[Sputi]

Managed to find a lot of information on the subject, have read all weekend
but i believe i will go for a 1/4 wave made of lifeline 40-45 feet which i can pull up from stern somewhere, without conflict with the mainsail/boom. the other 1/4 wave below deck as counterpoise. since I will be using ham bands like 3,5/7/10/14/18/21 mhz i will test out if I will need counterpoise for all the bands. I will start with testing the rails as grounding, then adding some copper inside the hull one side or both. have a standing wave instrument which I will be using during testing. I will be back onboard next thursday with a IC-7300 and a AH-4 tuner.

Your GAM antenna is that the GAM split lead ?

[mndreamchaser1]

Yes. A GAM split lead.

[sck5]

Insulators are rated higher breaking load than the shrouds themselves. Not that I wouldnt avoid dealing with that if I could, but compromising the strength isnt an issue.

[Sputi]

The Gam looks interesting, do you have in on port side and where did u install the tuner? Guess you have the radio near the console?


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[Sputi]

The Gam looks interesting, do you have it on port side and where did u install the tuner? Guess you have the radio near the console?