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geoleo · 09-09-2016, 18:52

My boat has a ICOM M802 SSB with a tall insulated backstay. I have not used the radio much . In the bilge is the usual thin copper foil-it is green and scroungy and it was terminated to the large bronze rudder rudder fitting with a cable clamp and this has crumbled from oxidation. I read long ago in a lil book by a man who was supposed to be a main authority that its better to just run No.6 copper wires from the antenna tuner to large bronze seacocks and this gives the better ground than the copper foil. Does it? Thanks

transmitterdan · 10-09-2016, 03:15

No, copper wire is not the best choice. Best to use thicker copper strap 50-75mm (2-3") wide to the nearest bronze fitting that is in contact with water. The rudder fitting may be ok as long as the fitting itself is also in contact with the water. A bronze seacock is also good if it is close to the tuner.

**Dockhead** · 10-09-2016, 03:21

How much worse is a heavy copper cable for this?

I have copper strapping I acquired for this purpose, but I can't get it though my lazarette bulkhead. I do have some heavy battery cabling.

transmitterdan · 10-09-2016, 07:06

You don't need a lot of strap. How much do you have that it won't fit?

**Dockhead** · 10-09-2016, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

You don't need a lot of strap. How much do you have that it won't fit?

The way it has to be routed makes it almost impossible to use a strap. How much worse is the heavy cable?

The total run is probably 4 meters.

Roniszoro · 10-09-2016, 08:26

Also buy some radials and run them to improve your ground. Easy, cheap and no haul out necessary.

adlib2 · 10-09-2016, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoleo

My boat has a ICOM M802 SSB with a tall insulated backstay. I have not used the radio much . In the bilge is the usual thin copper foil-it is green and scroungy and it was terminated to the large bronze rudder rudder fitting with a cable clamp and this has crumbled from oxidation. I read long ago in a lil book by a man who was supposed to be a main authority that its better to just run No.6 copper wires from the antenna tuner to large bronze seacocks and this gives the better ground than the copper foil. Does it? Thanks

I have the same M802 and Antenna set-up plus a 12in x 18 in ground plate. Use 3in Cu strap from ground plate to automatic tuner located in the lazarette. I drilled a hole to route through the bulkhead.
I often get Australia from North America.

CampDavid · 10-09-2016, 09:11

Buy a KISS SSB ground and all it a day. Not expensive and they work

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

sailcrazy · 10-09-2016, 09:11

Try the KISS. It takes the place of the copper foil, is easy to install, and works well.

mdvick · 10-09-2016, 09:34

I have exactly the same set up you do, save yourself time and money and use the K I S S ground array.It is worth every cent easy to use and works unbelievably well.

Cheechako · 10-09-2016, 09:41

I just lined the stern of my boat right near the tuner on a couple boats. The plane was great in both. You don't need to run the strapping toward the bilge.

sck5 · 10-09-2016, 10:01

People sometimes get very picky about what you MUST do to have an adequate ground plane. I have found from my experience and others that it is all more forgiving than some imagine. Yes it is better to have copper strapping from the tuner to the thru hull. Would a batter cable work? yes probably it would be OK. What I would do is lay the copper strapping wherever it was possible and bridge any gaps (i.e. through a bulkhead or whatever) with battery cable WELL attached at both ends. My personal experience is that 99% of the problems are in the connections.

adlib2 · 10-09-2016, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoleo

My boat has a ICOM M802 SSB with a tall insulated backstay. I have not used the radio much . In the bilge is the usual thin copper foil-it is green and scroungy and it was terminated to the large bronze rudder rudder fitting with a cable clamp and this has crumbled from oxidation. I read long ago in a lil book by a man who was supposed to be a main authority that its better to just run No.6 copper wires from the antenna tuner to large bronze seacocks and this gives the better ground than the copper foil. Does it? Thanks

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Specifications:KISS-SSBTM

[FONT='Arial Black', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]KISS-SSB [/FONT]TM

Radial Counterpoise Grounding System for Marine or Land use.

This heavy duty performer is designed primarily for boats using HF SSB marine bands. Input power up to 500 watts. Copper conductors are permanently sealed in durable PVC tubing.

All copper conductors. Stainless Steel 5/16 Ring Terminal. Heavy duty 47 inch 10 AWG Marine tinned copper lead connection. Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better SWR on SSB HF frequencies. Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better on 2mhz through 29mhz Ham freq.

Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better on Winlink and Sailmail frequencies.

transmitterdan · 10-09-2016, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The way it has to be routed makes it almost impossible to use a strap. How much worse is the heavy cable?

The total run is probably 4 meters.

4 meters is a bit long for a ground strap IMO. Is there no thru hull nearer?

What you might do is use a short piece of copper tubing to get through the bulkhead. Attach copper strap for the rest of the run on either side. Strap can either be soldered to the copper tubing or clamped.