What are these things on my mast?

[suiramor]

What are these three gizmos attached to the top of my mast (see picture)? I assume they are related to my VHF transceiver. I also have a regular FM receiver onboard. If I install a ham radio for HF/SSB comms, can I re-use any of these wires?

[MicHughV]

#1 is just a piece of wire attached to your wind indicator to prevent birds from sitting there.
#2 is a vhf antenna
# 3 is an " insulator".....you'll probably find another one lower down. The lenght of the stay between insulators is your " antenna" for SSB/Ham radio. This stay will have to "tuned" , usually done by an automatic antenna tuner which will be part of your SSB/Ham setup.

[rsvmille]

#3 appears to be a backstay insulator to use the stay as an HF antenna. Is there also one lower down? Is there and cable connected to that stay?
#2 VHF antenna
#1 looks like just an offset mount for the wind indicator.

[alctel]

1 is half a wind indicator
2 is your VHF antenna
3 looks like a backstay insulator

[MicHughV]

your use of the word " gizmo" makes me wonder....

[suiramor]

This was the most agreement I have ever seen on this forum Thanks for your replies. Yes, there is another insulator at the bottom of the backstay - I will check for wires when next on the boat. I am still not clear whether this antenna can be shared by both the existing VHF transceiver and a new HF/SSB ham radio? Thanks again.

(I was just experimenting with my English with 'gizmo' - did not mean any offence).

[MicHughV]

no, your vhf and SSB do not share antenna's...too complicated to explain here, but they don't...

[HeywoodJ]

Originally Posted by alctel

1 is half a wind indicator...

Originally Posted by suiramor

...I am still not clear whether this antenna can be shared by both the existing VHF transceiver and a new HF/SSB ham radio?....

Note the "half a wind indicator", that unit is broken and not useful in its present form, you could take it down, leave it, whatever, but at the moment it is just (trivial) extra weight.

No, the VHF antenna (#2) cannot be used for your HF/SSB. But, that is the purpose of the insulated section of your backstay (#3). You run the feed wire from your antenna tuner (presume you have one) to the backstay just above the lower insulator and connect it there.

BTW, this is what #1 should look like:



And here's a pretty simple image of the typical SSB antenna connection to a backstay, since the insulators are there you may want to poke around and see if the GTO connection wire is also present and where it leads:

[mlydon]

SSB antenna clamps onto the bottom of the back stay, just above the insulator. Back stay becomes your ssb antenna. VHF stays as it is. Install a new windex.

Matt

[MicHughV]

the wind indicator is obviously broken.....the wind vane is gone and the port side tab is also missing...

this is often the result of a bird trying to sit there,

many people stick a piece of stiff wire as shown on the photos, on top of that indicator, to prevent birds from landing there.

I see the masthead is also equipped with another wind indicator/wind speed, forward of the mast, which is usually connected to a dial by the wheel..

[Marathon1150]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

#1 is just a piece of wire attached to your wind indicator to prevent birds from sitting there.

But in this case it seems that it was not fully effective over time

[MicHughV]

$^%@$#$!@#$#!@$ birds !!!!!

[JC Reefer]

Besides the other stuff, your main halyard needs to be replaced. Don’t go up on that.

IMO, I would now bother with SSB.

[suiramor]

Thanks JC. I think you are talking about the boom topping line (the main halyard is not in the picture - it's an-mast furling system). But yes, I replaced it. These drone photos provided the warning.

I assume you meant 'not', not 'now' in the last sentence. I have seen the other discussion re SSB, satellite phones, etc. I think I would like to have a backup system.

[AlanR]

IMO, I would now bother with SSB.[/QUOTE]

A good example of posting the opposite to what you meant?

"I would not bother with SSB."

It pays to read before you post.

Best wishes,

Alan