Need weather help / SSB G5

[lunacy]

We got a portable ssb, the G5 which we would like to use to listen to Chris Parker. We bought this unit because off the good reviews. After playing with it for a bit (couple days) we don't seem to be able to hear anything on the channels Chris is using.

Does anybody have a tip/advise on how to get a good reception and is it necessary to use an external antenna?? Just tried for a couple of days in St. Augustine area and the weather has been terrible, lots of wind/rain. Is it possible this has been effecting the reception??

Looking forward to any response and/of tips!!

Thanks, Steve and Janet

[Jim Cate]

This subject has been covered extensively within the past month here on CF.

Please use the search function and review the dozens of responses that have been offered. Then if you still have questions, ask away...

Cheers,

Jim

[Paul Elliott]

Yes, you should search the forums. I typed "SSB weather portable" for the search keywords and found a bunch of discussions.

Here's what to look for: propagation (time, frequency, and location), interference (on your boat, and the neighborhood), and antenna (this is pretty easy for a receive-only radio). Get these figured out and you should be fine.

An external antenna can help. I've been able to pick up distant weather stations using a built-in whip, but if you've got on-board interference getting the antenna even a few feet removed from the interference source can make a big deal.

There are many broadcast stations around the world that you can use for practice. It doesn't matter what they're transmitting, you can use them to get experience with the propagation issues. There are just some signals you *can't* receive. Learn about this stuff.

[Mystic38]

In St Augustine you should be able to pickup both Boston and New Orleans.. Use an external antenna.. 30ft or so.. you can run it out of a hatch and up the flag halyard or similar.
You will get terrible reception due to the noisy environment of the marina and town... I suspect even by removing shore power and turning off other radios etc on your boat that nearby interference from other vessels may well make your efforts SOL... go out somewhere really quiet and anchor out and try again..you will be amazed at how reception will improve.