SSB Seminar - request for ideas for presentation
Hello All,
I have been asked to pull together the SSB portion of the communication seminar. I was planning to focus on SSB installation and methods to make sure it all works reliably. I was going to set up a working station as a means of working through material that focuses on getting a radio up and running.
I won't be spending time on sail mail, I believe Bob has someone lined up already.
What questions might you who are doing an install have ?
Thanks,
Brian
Redsky
Grounding, reducing interference
Same for me... While I've read differing opinions on how to achieve a good ground, it seems everyone agrees that having a good ground is the most important part of the setup. At present, the plan for Culebra (Olson 34) is probably less than ideal, but is it likely to be enough, and is it a decent plan? (right, install it and find out)... The current plan is to use a single copper strap (of the recommended width and thickness) to tie together the engine, the small stainless fuel tank and, using a keel bolt, the glassed-in keel. There isn't any other significant metal surface area in the boat, I don't want or plan to add any other copper screen or sheeting, and I have no metal thru hulls. An externally installed plate is a nonstarter for me (extra drag, throughbolts in the hull, no thanks).
Other important topics would be adequate use of ferrites, isolators, etc. to reduce interference with other instruments. How to ensure good connections to the copper strap (use tapped holes with machine screws? untapped hole with screw and nut? other?). Proper installation of the tuner, its location, how to connect it to ground, and if different, how to connect the radio and other instrumentation to ground.
Thanks, Paul
SSB install, Olson 34 and Exp 27
Hello Paul and Glythcott,
I have done installs on both boats (I own an Olson 34). The keel bolt connection works well. On the express we tied to the keel bolts and ran a single strip of copper foil most of the length of the bilge. This was on Elise, and she had a really strong signal all the way to Hawaii, I know this because on monitored the checkins from my home in the South Bay.
The Olson I have connected to the keel bolts as well as the engine block, make sure you don't connect to the wrong side of the engine mounts as they are isolated with a rubber insulator. That set up works great and I used in several Pac Cups and Long Pacs, never missed a check in, even with running a mere 5 watts power output.
A connection to keel can be done several ways. Add a stainless nut. Use a stainless hose clamp and clamp a spade lug beneath it. In a large keel bolt you can drill and tap a hole for an 8/32 screw and secure a spade lug under that.
For RF currents the flow is all on teh surface of the conductor, hence copper foil is popular as it has large surface area. Also, coax braid or other copper/tin braid make acceptable ground runs. The larger the diameter the more surface area. Copper foil has more area but a bit tougher to deal with and expensive.
As Bob mentions the more metal the better. You can tie in your life lines and stancions but in my experience that has not been necessary.
The ulitmate solution is an aluminum hull ! Those boats have stunning signals out there. Carbon likely would do as well. :)
Brian
Nothing above stanchion level aft of mast ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
P. Broderick - Elaine
I'm installing a SSB/Ham HF radio on my Wyliecat 30 for the PacCup (maybe SSS TransPac in 2012?). Here's my dilemma: (1) No backstay or shrouds (2) No possibility of anything above stanchion level aft of the mast -which is 5 feet from the bow (3) No metal thru hulls - only 2 plastic speedo/depth holes (4) No metal anything inside the hull. I'm very interested in creative solutions! I'll be at the SSB seminar for sure!
Pat Broderic "NANCY"
Hi Pat,
Can a whip be installed on the hull at stern if it slopes back over the water some ? Is the issue the boom length striking anything mounted at stern ?
Brian