I have installed the R-75
Icom using the same backstay
antenna as the vessels SSB. As hoped it has simplified picking up transmissions and appears to be more sensitive than the transceiver. The
Icom has the ability to utilize two different antennas. I am considering attempting to use the vessels cap
shroud as a different type of
antenna with the idea of better
reception on different frequencies. So the answers to a couple of questions would be appreciated. The cap stay is connected to to external chain plates and the
mast is 50' tall, the stays are connected at the top with tangs that are through bolted to the opposite side stay. Should I have fair expectation that there would be continuity to both stays and would this essentially create a 100' inverted dipole? If I connect feed wire to the 1/2"
chain plate bolt on the inside of the
boat would the
bronze turnbuckle attached to the stay interfere with the performance of the stainless wire antenna and would I need to put a stainless bridge wire from the
chain plate to the
rigging wire to improve
reception. Finally, is there any benefit to what I am thinking about doing ?