SSB - STEEL BOAT INSTALLATION

[roberto11]

Since couple of months I'm getting more and more interested in HF communication.
I had since years my Italian ham license and a Icom installed on board but I was using it rarely.
Than I started reading more ... I found competent people and interesting information on this forum. I tried to rectified some mistakes ... I started receiving weather faxes and now I have Winmor working.
I would like to understand what I can do better.
I read this article:
Grounding
And just few days ago on the web site of the rope antenna this one:
Installation Procedure
Unfortunately I haven't found anything specific for metal boat.

My shack on board is at the moment a ICOM-706MKIIG (John please don't be to hard with me&#128519 with positive and negative on dedicated battery switches and fuses
The ground from the back of the radio connected to the hull with a battery size 3 feet copper wire.
The radio is coupled with 10 feet of coax cable to a SEA Automatic antenna tuner.

Also the tuner is grounded with a battery size 3 feet copper wire.
From the tuner to the antenna I tried usinng a 3 feet 6 mm copper braid or a 3 feet Gto-15
The antenna is a 45 feet rope antenna.

Should I replace the ground copper wire with copper strap??
Should I use (home made or buy) DC blocks on both grounds?
What about the counterpoise??
I thanks anyone in advance and I hope this post can be interesting for other members of the forum.
R.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[ka4wja]

Roberto,
I need to brief today...

See details in red...

Originally Posted by roberto11

I would like to understand what I can do better.
Read over this thread, and click on the links there for LOTS of good info / advice...

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html



My shack on board is at the moment a ICOM-706MKIIG (John please don't be to hard with me&#128519 with positive and negative on dedicated battery switches and fuses
Nothing wrong with a 706....as long as you're familiar with it and happy with it, you're good!!


The ground from the back of the radio connected to the hull with a battery size 3 feet copper wire.
Typically not necessary to do this....and many times this can cause ground loops and some RF feedback troubles (especially transmit RFI into computers, etc.)



The radio is coupled with 10 feet of coax cable to a SEA Automatic antenna tuner.

Also the tuner is grounded with a battery size 3 feet copper wire.
This is fine....for such a short run, no need to worry about strapping...especially with a steel boat!

From the tuner to the antenna I tried usinng a 3 feet 6 mm copper braid or a 3 feet Gto-15
Use the GTO-15!!! NOT the copper braid!


The antenna is a 45 feet rope antenna.

Should I replace the ground copper wire with copper strap??
Not really necessary in your set-up...

Should I use (home made or buy) DC blocks on both grounds?
I'm not sure, but I think the SEA tuners (like the SGC tuners) are already DC-blocked???
But, if not, then....yes...
Yes, on a steel boat, using a DC-block on the RF ground connection is a VERY good idea!!


What about the counterpoise??
Your steel hull and the sea water is all the counterpoise you'll ever need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this helps...

Fair winds..

John