Aloha Pete:
No, I use the internal K3 tuner and then that feeds into an MFJ 986. this
seems to work out just fine, even when I am loading up all the rigging on the
boat.
For a ground you can never have enough...I strongly suggest visiting a "stained
glass" supply store. They sell copper ribbon in various widthsthe widest
normally being around 3/4 inch. It is extremely thin, but remember rf travels
only on the skin of a conductor.
It is also sticky backed and it is around ten buck for a forty foot roll
instead of 50 dollars for the wide, thick stuff sold at west marine.
In the bilges of the boat, above the water and on the "tumble home" run three
strips of copper ribbon down each side of the boat...solder them together at
various points. then cover them over with varnish,shellac, etc.
It is rather hard to hid a big ground wire running from the
rig down into the bilges, however the ribbon is easily hidden.
Now, remember, the ribbon is a conductor, the boat is an insulator, and the sea
is a conductorVOILA...condenser. You have capacitive coupled into the
ocean.
Number TWOdo not cut the back stay and put in insulators...firstly, it is
impossible to adequately connect the copper wire to the stainless backstay.
Instead, run a sep. wire up to the top of the mast, with insulator at top, and
insulator just above head heighth on the bottom. Use this as an antenna,.
A cut backstay is a future failure point.
No, the extra wire will not present problems because of all the rigging, heck
if used, the back stay would do the same thing.
If the back stay MUST be used...shine up the stainless steel, shine up the
copper wire and , wrap then together first having applied. WELDERS HIGH
TEMPERATURE COPPER WELDING PASTE. It is transparent to rf and
makes a really good connection between the back stay and the copper wire.
Then put onj a hose clamp, then two layers of electrical tape, and then COAT
WITH TWO COATS OF LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE.
You now have a bullet proof back stay connection that should last for years and
years, instead of the normal way with its need of redoing every couple of years.
I would look for a used Icom 718really good starter rig, at a reasonable
price...and a plug and ply as far as pactor III, rtty, etc is concerned. I
have used one for years...Now it is my backup as I have the K3
Susan
If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're
headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV
DHARMA
--- On Thu, 9/16/10, Pete Barth wrote:
From: Pete Barth
Subject: Antennas and other.
To: "Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA"
Cc: "ronald finkelstein"
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010, 8:33 AM
Hello Susan,
from Pete Barth W6LAW.
I have seen your posts forever now on the Elecraft pages.
I have had a K2 since they came out,
a K3 of serial number that matches my K2 serial number,
a KX-1 that is more fun than I could ever imagine.
Recently an old work buddy of mine (now we are both retired) that has had a
sailboat for years just passed his technician license.
He is Ron Finklestein KJ6KIU.
I was pleasantly surprised when he joined our ham ranks.
He wants more comms. onboard, and the safety of the ham radios while on the
water.
He is in the marina near LAX and goes to Catalina often.
He was just out watching blue whales, he saw about 150 of them.
I was going to recommended a used IC706MK2 with a LDG tuner, or something like
it for him to start.
I was going to help him with a mast mounted 144 / 450 vertical on the mast top.
And some kind of sloping vertical (with two insulators) as a backstay antenna
for the lower bands.
Would that become a lightning rod?
I think he has one noble plate for the thru-hull water and head, and another
wire running to the prop shaft.
He thinks neither of these are tied to any "ground" on the boat.
I will have to check this stuff myself.
I am hoping that you might offer any hints that you have learned the hard way.
Ground for the radios?
Counterpoise?
Best ant for the lower bands? Vertical or inverted vee?
He thinks an inverted vee will get in the way of the sails.
Angle might be collapsed enough to ruin teh antenna pattern too.
I think you use LDG tuners?
He will not be getting a K3 for a year or two.
And he wants to use the boat radio in the car (Prius) and his house to start.
I know this will get old for him, but that is how he will get more radios like
the rest of us!
Any help will be appreciated,
Pete
peteba...@gmail.com
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