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Old 18-07-2018, 17:33   #16
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Re: ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

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Originally Posted by zboss View Post
Even if the cable is insulated?

Yes, the standing rigging will absorb a good part of the electromagnetic field emitted by the sending antenna.

On a receive-only antenna it will loose sensitivity in the direction from the antenna to the standing rigging as well, making it less efficient.
That's why an insulated backstay is a better solution, followed by a free-standing whip.
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Old 19-07-2018, 08:05   #17
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Re: ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

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Originally Posted by zboss View Post
Even if the cable is insulated?
I think so. This has nothing to do with the risk of electrical shock. Bu, HF radio transmission induction may some time create strange transmission problems while bouncing around on other cables. Or so I was told by some gurou !.
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Old 20-07-2018, 17:37   #18
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Re: ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

For WEFAX reception you can use any shroud or stay as an antenna as long as the bottom end is not connected to the grounding system i.e it ends in a plate connected to the fiberglass. It doesn't have to be insulated for reception, and even for transmission because using a tuner, even a manual tuner, it will work on some bands. Insulated backstays are only needed on steel yachts.

To keep the picture clean don't connect the radio to the ships grounding systems, and provide it with its own battery that is isolated from the ships battery or use a portable radio with SSB adjustment.
Your LED lights and inverter etc. can make a lot of RF noise which will interfere with the reception. The pictures in port won't be good, but at sea they should be much better.

For information on using non-isolated backstays read my article here
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Old 22-07-2018, 07:03   #19
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Re: ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

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Originally Posted by davil View Post
thanks decided to go that way and for antenna will not use the backstay,I do not have access to any good rigger here so found this outfit
"http://gamelectronicsinc.com/products/tg-series/"
and can get by with couple of choices,one is a dedicated for weather fax receive only and that was my primary objective

"David,
I would recommend our Weather Fax/DSC Mini Series Antenna - I have provided you a link below. The reason I suggest this is because your Icom 710 has a maximum output power of 150 Watts which is the Weather fax/ DSC's power rating. This is a receive only antenna specifically hand tuned to maximize signal strength for improved fax reception. We also have a Mini Series Weather Fax/DSC Antenna that is duel banded to included FM broadcasting stations from 88-108 MHz. Both of the above mentioned products are listed at $75.00. You can click the link below to read more and refer back to me with any questions you may have.

GAMelectronicsinc.com"

price is reasonable the worse will be a $ 75.00 loss.
If needed when I get to an area with more marine services can always use the back stay.
All in all for less than $ 300.00 can save my Icom and is almost what will cost me a good quality Grundig or similar.


I’ve had both the Metz and the GAM weatherfax antennae. Both have ejected the whip after a few hundred miles of sailing. Ours are mounted at the mizzenmast head, the 54” whip gyrates and works its way out past the set screw no matter the precautions I’ve taken.

FWIW.
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Old 24-07-2018, 05:16   #20
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Re: ICOM 710 SSB radio whipping antenna?

For receiving weather maps etc, any metal conductor on the boat at all will work for an antenna, and a ground will not be required.

For transmitting, a helical whip will be complete rubbish. You will hear things strongly, but dangerously, you will assume they can hear you just as well, which will be untrue. In fact, if you heard a recording of yourself at their station you would be utterly horrified.

The 4/6/8 MHz bands are most useful, and for those bands you should hoist a good long piece of antenna wire, and for a "ground" you should drop about the same amount of wire overboard in a single long length.

It will take you a long time to get to grips with what frequency to use during what season, at what time of the day, and at what range. These vary immensely, and also these bands just love to play tricks on you - like randomly dumping you instantly without warning - it's great fun and great comms, but you need your wits about you.

If you use HF and you really enjoy it, then get your ham ticket and get on the air and learn the ropes. HF is a blast if you're into it, and a puzzling mess if you're not. My suggestion is to pick one band and learn it, usually the 6 or 8MHz band which works quite well during the summer. Lower bands are kinda "night" or "winter" bands.
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