SSB DSC antenna idea

[ka4wja]

Theo,
You ask a lot of questions in a small paragraph....but, let me answer you briefly...

1) First off, please read my posts above, #10 and #12...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2257738

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2258484

You will find all your answers to DSC-receive antenna choices there....you do not need o spend lots of $$$ on a DSC receive antenna!!
(you can use just about any wire, of adequate length...and it will work...even just attaching coax center-conductor to a chainplate, and using this will work....but, please read those posts above for all the details...)



2) As for GPS....I always recommend a dedicated GPS for the DSC radios....but if you have a second GPS for your AIS, you can certainly use that....(be aware that if you have an AIS transponder, it will just have a GPS antenna and it's GPS receiver is built-in to the AIS transponder, so you would need to take the NMEA data out of the AIS unit for the DSC radios, meaning that the AIS must be on and functioning, in order to use its GPS for your DSC radios....so, as usual, I still recommend a dedicated GPS for the radios....FYI, a Garmin GPS 76 works great and costs about $100 USD...)
Simply relying on your Raymarine units (chartplotter, etc.) to provide GPS data to your radios causes 2 issues...
--- having to run the chartplotter all the time, just to have GPS data to your radios....(lots of electrical power used, when a small dedicated GPS would be fine)
--- must have your chratplotter working to send a distress call with GPS position...

See my Nav Station photos here...









3) Regarding ferrites, please see my answer to your query in your other thread, for all the details....


4) Depending on who you bought it from, your M-802 should have the ham bands open....but, if not, it's as easy as pressing a few buttons....
Here is the procedure..

If you have an Icom M-802 and cannot program your "user channels", nor use the "VFO Mode" on the ham radio bands, it is because your radio is in "Marine Mode", rather than the "Open Mode" (even though the "Open Mode" is what the Icom manual shows!)
And, the good news is that switching your M-802 to "Open Mode" is VERY easy and takes just 2 seconds, literally!!

Gary Jensen, Dockside Radio, has the exact procedure for programming the M-802 (including placing the radio into "Open Mode"),laid out for you on his website...

Icom M-802 Programming Instructions


But in brief, you're turning the radio OFF...
Then pressing and holding down three different buttons, and then while holding those three buttons down, pressing the power button, turning the radio ON....

And, that's it....
Your M-802 is now in "Open Mode", and you'll be able to program your "user channels" and use the "VFO mode" on the ham bands, etc...

With the radio OFF, the three buttons you press and hold down are:
"Mode", "2", "TXF/TX"
And, while holding those buttons down, turn the radio ON by then pressing the "Power" button...
And, you're done....the radio is now on and in the "Open Mode"


Hope this helps...

John

[alctel]

I use the NMEA183 output from my chartplotter to the radio. A dedicated GPS would probably be better - any recommended models?

Also I haven't hooked up my DSC antenna yet - I am probably just going to run a coax to a chainplate as they are easily accessable.

[ayates]

I am curious as to what are these two gauges?


Thanks,

Allan.

[AA3JY]

Forward & Reflective Power meter..better known as an SWR meter.
It reports on its dials quantities called forward power and reflected power. top. Forward/reflected power. A standing wave on a transmission line can be thought of as being composed of two traveling waves, one moving toward the load (the "forward" wave) and one moving in the opposite direction (the "reflected" wave)

[ayates]

Originally Posted by AA3JY

Forward & Reflective Power meter..better known as an SWR meter.
It reports on its dials quantities called forward power and reflected power. top. Forward/reflected power. A standing wave on a transmission line can be thought of as being composed of two traveling waves, one moving toward the load (the "forward" wave) and one moving in the opposite direction (the "reflected" wave)

Thanks a lot!

Took a little bit of searching, but this specific model appears to be a Daiwa 400 series.



Allan.

[ka4wja]

Allan,
Yes, they are power/swr meters...

Originally Posted by ayates

I am curious as to what are these two gauges?
Thanks,
Allan.

The long answer is:
These specific meters are Daiwa CN-410M and CN-460M, for my HF and VHF radios (respectively).











https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=3094
https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=7368

Although, those particular meters are no longer manufactured, you can occasionally find them for sale used, on ebay, etc...


Or, you can look at similar small-sized / mobile-type meters, made by Diamond....the Diamond SX-20c and the Diamond SX-40c...
https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=3424
https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=5236

https://www.dxengineering.com/search...rder=Ascending

https://www.dxengineering.com/search...rder=Ascending



Or, you may decide on a full-sized power/swr meters, such as Daiwa CN-901 series....
https://www.dxengineering.com/search...rder=Ascending
But, I prefer the "mobile" meters, as they have a bit easier resolution for use with 100-150 watt radios, as well as being smaller and easier to find good mounting location on-board...



BUT....
But, before you choose/decide, please read this thread here:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-158526-2.html




And, have a look at these video playlists, where in addition to learning a lot about HF communications / marine HF comms, DSC comms, offshore weather, etc....you'll see these meters in operation...

Maritime HF Communications
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y


HF-DSC Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX


Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr


Offshore Weather
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY



And, just for fun:
Offshore Sailing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...KgTCj15iyl6qoY



And, last but not least....have a look at the stickies at the top of the Marine Electronics page here....where, you'll find not only the answer to your specific question here, but a wealth of HF / Radio communications info / reference material, and answers to many "Marine SSB" questions...

Marine SSB Stuff (how-to better use / properly-install SSB, & troubleshoot RFI, etc.)
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...tc-133496.html

HF-SSB Radio, Proper Installation Tips/Techniques, etc.
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...tc-198305.html



I do hope this helps?

Fair winds.

John

[ayates]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

I do hope this helps?

Many thanks; lots of bed time reading!


Allan.
VE3YAT

[David B]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

Allan,


I do hope this helps?

Fair winds.

John

A wealth of knowledge John - thank you (from many I suspect).

I will save this post in case I need any such info for when I finally get back on board, and get the IC706MkIIG (through an AH-4) up and running.

73,
David
VK5ZL

[ayates]

Picked up the first one off eBay...

[ka4wja]

Allan,
That's nice, but you are aware that meter (the 460M) is the VHF/UHF meter?
Not an HF meter...

Originally Posted by ayates

Picked up the first one off eBay...

Meaning it is for VHF radio, NOT an HF (marine SSB / ham) radio...

As long as you were looking for a power/swr meter for your VHF, you're good-to-go....
But, for HF (ham or marine) that meter will not be very accurate, and you'd be pushing it all the way to its maximum limits (not a good idea), if running a 150 watt radio through it...


Hope this helps?

John

[ayates]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

That's nice, but you are aware that meter (the 460M) is the VHF/UHF meter?

Yep That's what I meant by 'the first one'. I was on the lookout for both the VHF and HF versions. Now to keep looking for an HF model.