Antenna mounts near mast cap

[dandrews]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Don,

For HF, you might consider a full-time solution, like an "alternate backstay" antenna which is easy and inexpensive to build, very robust in the marine environment, and which functions as well or better than a traditional backstay antenna.

Just use a length of insulated 3/16" s/s lifeline, more than 23' in length, and string it up on a spare halyard. Tie the lower end to the pushpit on one side, feed it from a tuner underdeck with GTO-15. With an appropriate counterpoise (like the KISS-SSB radial system, your own radial system, or other) it will tune all bands, marine and amateur and will work very well. Here's one way to make the GTO-15 to antenna connection:
http://wdsg.com/gallery/main.php?g2_...geViewsIndex=1

Inverted V's are OK insofar as they go, but they are not really seagoing antennas ("rig them at anchor") and they have a high vertical angle of radiation....not at all good for DX, but fine for relatively close contacts.

If you really want an honest-to-god killer single-band HF antenna, think about a vertical dipole. I make them from s/s lifeline, too, and you can't beat them for DX on 20 meters and above. Construction details for a real marinized one -- able to withstand hurricane-force winds -- are given on my website here: Marine Antennas

Bill
WA6CCA

Bill, excellent idea. I did check with my rigging guy about a insulated back stay but that was way too expensive for my blood. I am going to noodle what you have said here and see how I can pull that off. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.

Don
N1FVB

[Nicholson58]

Here is my set-up. VHS on top of the main on the stbd side. Wind instruments elevated and forward; windex elevated and aft; lightening arrestor on port; aquasignal tower center. I have since added a BIBI LED windex light tothe base of the Windex stalk. I would keep the mass low (aluminum or heavy fiberglass)

I also have a split on top of the mizzen and two more VHF antennas. This is a 1" SS pipe. The center strut was intended for a Shakespear TV antenna (removed) YOu also see the Mizzen Windex mounted on a Fiberglass U-Channel cantelevered to stbd. Also added later is a BIBI WIndex light.

We have a primary VHS on the main; secondary VHS in an aft cockpit locker using an antenna on the mizzen; AIS uses the second mizzen antenna. I like the suggestion of mounting on a spreader as long as there is no chance of mucking up a sail.

The SS mounts all demonstrated corrosion and I had to up-size the screws on the re-fit and paint job. Lots of goop in the threads now. I recommend not mixing your metals. You can get pultruded fiberglass shapes from McMaster-Carr as well as aluminum extrusions.

[dandrews]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Here is my set-up. VHS on top of the main on the stbd side. Wind instruments elevated and forward; windex elevated and aft; lightening arrestor on port; aquasignal tower center. I have since added a BIBI LED windex light tothe base of the Windex stalk. I would keep the mass low (aluminum or heavy fiberglass)

I also have a split on top of the mizzen and two more VHF antennas. This is a 1" SS pipe. The center strut was intended for a Shakespear TV antenna (removed) YOu also see the Mizzen Windex mounted on a Fiberglass U-Channel cantelevered to stbd. Also added later is a BIBI WIndex light.

We have a primary VHS on the main; secondary VHS in an aft cockpit locker using an antenna on the mizzen; AIS uses the second mizzen antenna. I like the suggestion of mounting on a spreader as long as there is no chance of mucking up a sail.

The SS mounts all demonstrated corrosion and I had to up-size the screws on the re-fit and paint job. Lots of goop in the threads now. I recommend not mixing your metals. You can get pultruded fiberglass shapes from McMaster-Carr as well as aluminum extrusions.

Very nice setup. Plenty of food for thought.

Don

[senormechanico]

Just to add to the mix:

The bonding system should be attached at only one point to battery negative.
If the rigging is attached to the bonding system/battery negative, is that the masthead?
Just asking.

I insulated my Wi/Fi and VHF antenna mounts from the mast.
The only connection between bonding and battery negative is at one spot, a honking big negative post about two feet away from the engine.

[Nicholson58]

By the way, on my rig photos, the Windex stalk extensions are carbon firber archery arrows. Cheap and available in two diameters.