New ICM M-802 and antenna length

[Sea Angel1]

I have installed a new ICOM M-802 with ATU-140, Kiss ground, a separate battery, separate GPS, twisted large sized feed lines, installed chokes as advised, all according the ICOM Handbook. Antenna on my S/Y is the backstay. Receipt is good and clear. Antenna length 13 m (43 ft) between isolators on the backstay + 4,7 m (15 ft) GTO-15 cable to the ATU. Shorter is not possible. Could that be a problem?
results: @ position 34 N - 22 E (Med.) good receipt @ 13 270 KHz and 15 298 kHz (I think it was a Chinese transmitter in french language) - 5 970 kHz - 7 295 - 7 268 kHz - 7 295 kHz - 8 xxx (Monaco) - 2663 kHz. All just after sunset around 19:00 UTC. I believe not much disturbances, since I # m a new comer in SSB.
I have appr. licenses. But I could not pick-up any signals or tweets between other yachtsmen on the SSB. But I have no experience at all.
It is difficult to find out what were the transmitters. Can somebody advise me if that is good or should I install and test the antenna signals?.
What tests would you advise, because it is not easy to find other yachtmen on a unknown freuquency?

[SV THIRD DAY]

I would highly recommend this M802 online Webinar coming up.

https://events-na5.adobeconnect.com/...-id=1828738152

[Caribdis]

This book is worth its weight in gold for both installing, troubleshooting, and programming the M802:
Buy Books

Terry's Website is great, the ICOM M802 section has some nice stuff:
IC M802

Originally Posted by Sea Angel1

I have installed a new ICOM M-802 with ATU-140, Kiss ground, a separate battery, separate GPS, twisted large sized feed lines, installed chokes as advised, all according the ICOM Handbook. Antenna on my S/Y is the backstay................What tests would you advise, because it is not easy to find other yachtmen on a unknown freuquency?

[donradcliffe]

Not many SSB nets in the Med at this time of year, but see
Mediterranean - List of Radio Nets —

If you have ham license, you could try listening to yourself on the internet through a software defined radio receiver.
websdr.org

Finally, maybe one of the SSB equipped CF members in the Med could set up a schedule.

[Auspicious]

Not clear on why a separate battery for the HF/SSB. My preference is a single house bank as large as you can manage and a really good DC-DC converter to keep the voltage supply to the radio stable.

The Icom manual is dated and does not reflect current best practice. It isn't wrong, just not the best.

Your antenna (GTO-15 to backstay at 58 feet) will have a very high impendance on the 8 MHz marine band. Your AT-140 may struggle to get a good match.

Grayline performance is best - mornings & evenings.

You might want to dig through the Sailamail website for frequencies and times where you can find someone to test with.

[Nicor]

Go here and check out which location applies to you.
You can check in for a radio check.

East Coast Cruising Nets

Choose the correct frequency for your license.