Help--SSB setup with antenna/ground

[BocaIII]

Originally Posted by j.g.evans

Re: ground
Your keel is a great ground if you can access a keel bolt. Even an encapsulated lead keel is great. The lead makes up one plate of a capacitor with the water the second.

I made a good ground by lying sheets of copper against the hull under an aft bed. I spot tack soldered the sheets together to make a large plate of a capacitor. This will not work if your hull is balsa cored. Since this copper plate can be isolated there will be no DC current flow avoiding galvanic action.

SSB on your boat is very worthwhile if you get your ham license
Jack
W4GRJ

[Jim Cate]

I made a good ground by lying sheets of copper against the hull under an aft bed. I spot tack soldered the sheets together to make a large plate of a capacitor. This will not work if your hull is balsa cored. Since this copper plate can be isolated there will be no DC current flow avoiding galvanic action.

What has balsa coring got to do with the capacitive coupling between internal copper and the sea?

Jim

[RunningCool]

So guys.
I reground to engine block and radio doesnt reboot.
Made sure i have 13.4 to 13.6 when i turn the SEA 222 on.
So far so good.
Still working on dialing it in.
I am a newbie remember.
Working on my general.
Good friend might sell me his M803 for a good price.
Reading what that thing does is amazing
thx guys

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by RunningCool

So guys.
I reground to engine block and radio doesnt reboot.

Doesn’t turn on? Why would you think it should”reboot” when turning it on?

Made sure i have 13.4 to 13.6 when i turn the SEA 222 on.

No one suggested the supply voltage with no load is significant. It’s while under load that you described it shutting down. As many have stated, under-voltage while under load will cause the radio to shut down. Measure it when it goes into transmit!

[RunningCool]

Meaning, with new ground to engine block. I turn radio on and transmit with no rebooting.
So, reviewing all connections with are tight and good.
Also, only using at peak baattery voltage.
thx

[Jammer]

The way you diagnose possible 12v power problems etc is to use a dummy load in place of the tuner and antenna. If you can transmit into the dummy load, your problems are with the antenna. If you can't, they're with the transmitter and its power source.


Here's a cheap one that will work for a few seconds, don't transmit into it for longer than that and you'll do fine:


https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dmn-dl30a

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by Jammer

The way you diagnose possible 12v power problems etc is to use a dummy load in place of the tuner and antenna. If you can transmit into the dummy load, your problems are with the antenna. If you can't, they're with the transmitter and its power source.


Here's a cheap one that will work for a few seconds, don't transmit into it for longer than that and you'll do fine:


https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dmn-dl30a

An SEA 222 is a 150 watt transmitter and has no power output adjustment. That dummy load is totally inadequate for the job. I suggest that you stick with the previously posted advice of finding a Ham radio guy with a large dummy load and an antenna analyzer.

[RunningCool]

UPDATE,
Scott Berg sold me a m802 rig, everything I need.
Willbe getting pactor 3usb Friday.
He has been invaluable. Sorted me out right quick.
Running very good and getting all hams stations and nets.
My buddy who is a ham operator contacted with 14.300 Texas easy from FL Keys on my boat.
Said I was a 5-4, which still trying to figure out that Ham talk.
Just started on my ham license.
I love it. Wish i did it long ago.
Thx for all ur help guys

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by RunningCool

UPDATE,
Scott Berg sold me a m802 rig, everything I need.
Willbe getting pactor 3usb Friday.
He has been invaluable. Sorted me out right quick.
Running very good and getting all hams stations and nets.
My buddy who is a ham operator contacted with 14.300 Texas easy from FL Keys on my boat.
Said I was a 5-4, which still trying to figure out that Ham talk.
Just started on my ham license.
I love it. Wish i did it long ago.
Thx for all ur help guys

What are you doing operating on a ham band without a license? What is your friend doing talking to an unlicensed operator on a ham band.

These are both violations of Federal regulations.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by stormalong

What are you doing operating on a ham band without a license? What is your friend doing talking to an unlicensed operator on a ham band.

These are both violations of Federal regulations.

Actually, it’s hard to discern exactly who did what given the poor wording of that post but I infer whoever this guy is who sold him the Icom also did the operating. If not, you are quite correct this would be prohibited and he should know better.

[RunningCool]

Ok, friend on my boat with license tested system. Legally. Seller also licensed, tested system legally