Single sideband Antennae - Freestanding mast

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1

Posted by Jay Glen (svfantasy@…>)

Presently, my F-40 Cat-Ketch utilizes a “long wire” from the starboard
rail to the top of the mizzen mast for the SSB antennae. A bungee cord
at the base of the antennae provides the flexibilty when the mast
bends. I do not particularly care for this arrangement. Anyone have a
better method? I’ve considered using one of the 20’ whip antennae I’ve
seen in West Marine’s catalog. Would one of these work if it were
placed just forward of the Mizzen mast? Or, would the carbon fiber
mast somehow attenuate the signal? Thanks everyone!!

Jay

2

Posted by Peter Schäfer (petersch@…>)

Jay,

I had the same arrangement as yours on my F33 and it worked quite ok.
Perhaps you should consider moving the bungee cord part between the top of
the mast and the antenna, as it is always better to keep the antenna away
from the mast. You would not gain anything -to say the least- if you place a
whip antenne near the mast. Stick with what you have and save the money!

Peter


“Jay Glen” <svfantasy@…> wrote:

Presently, my F-40 Cat-Ketch utilizes a “long wire” from the starboard
rail to the top of the mizzen mast for the SSB antennae. A bungee cord
at the base of the antennae provides the flexibilty when the mast
bends. I do not particularly care for this arrangement. Anyone have a
better method? I’ve considered using one of the 20’ whip antennae I’ve
seen in West Marine’s catalog. Would one of these work if it were
placed just forward of the Mizzen mast? Or, would the carbon fiber
mast somehow attenuate the signal? Thanks everyone!!

Jay

3

Posted by Jay Glen (svfantasy@…>)

Thanks Peter for the info on my SSB antennae

Jay

----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Sch ä fer
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:42 AM
Subject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Single sideband Antennae - Freestanding mast


Jay,I had the same arrangement as yours on my F33 and it worked quite ok.Perhaps you should consider moving the bungee cord part between the top ofthe mast and the antenna, as it is always better to keep the antenna awayfrom the mast. You would not gain anything -to say the least- if you place awhip antenne near the mast. Stick with what you have and save the money!Peter"Jay Glen" <svfantasy@myyacht.com> wrote:> Presently, my F-40 Cat-Ketch utilizes a “long wire” from the starboard> rail to the top of the mizzen mast for the SSB antennae. A bungee cord> at the base of the antennae provides the flexibilty when the mast> bends. I do not particularly care for this arrangement. Anyone have a> better method? I’ve considered using one of the 20’ whip antennae I’ve> seen in West Marine’s catalog. Would one of these work if it were> placed just forward of the Mizzen mast? Or, would the carbon fiber> mast somehow attenuate the signal? Thanks everyone!!> > Jay

4

Posted by Larry R. Linhart (larrylinhart@…>)

I’d be interested in hearing how anyone has rigged a SSB radio on a Freedom 35. I’m planning to buy one and have not yet determined how to rig the antenna. Is the whip antenna the best solution?

Larry Linhart

5

Posted by tom (ketch_22@…>)

Ketch 22 has running backstays for the mizzen. They help support the
mizzen mast when flying a staysail. In addition, the starboard stay
doubles as an SSB antenna. When the staysail is raised, the sheet is
deployed outside of the antenna/stay. There is a picture at
http://home.earthlink.net/~svs.1/ showing the staysail and the
backstay/antenna.

The running backstay arrangement allows you to move the support for
the mizzen mast fore and aft, depending on the direction of force on
the staysail (which is dependent on point of sail). It’s stainless
steel, thus no stretch, thus no bungee is required. In combination
with an antenna tuner, it makes an excellent SSB antenna.

Tom
F39 Ketch 22



— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Jay Glen” <svfantasy@…>
wrote:

Presently, my F-40 Cat-Ketch utilizes a “long wire” from the starboard
rail to the top of the mizzen mast for the SSB antennae. A bungee cord
at the base of the antennae provides the flexibilty when the mast
bends. I do not particularly care for this arrangement. Anyone have a
better method? I’ve considered using one of the 20’ whip antennae I’ve
seen in West Marine’s catalog. Would one of these work if it were
placed just forward of the Mizzen mast? Or, would the carbon fiber
mast somehow attenuate the signal? Thanks everyone!!

Jay

6

Posted by Skip Turpin (skipperf33@…>)

Thought I would weigh in on this one.

Stainless back stays have been used for years. They have been used
primarily because they are there! Stainless does work, but it is not
a great antenna material for SSB use.

As I primarily cruise my F33 Cat/ketch, I opted to go with a standard
length of real SSB antenna wire. It is attached to the top of the
main mast and runs down to the tip of the bowsprit and then into the
chain locker where my tuner is located. The antenna has a bungee at
the sprit for flex. This also allows me to move the antenna out of
the way should I host a Bar-B-Q on the massive foredeck. (RIGHT!)

As the part of the antenna that runs to the tuner is also still part
of the transmitting antenna, you want to keep your tuner as close as
possible to the vertical part of the antenna!

I don’t suggest putting the bungee at the top of the antenna. With
time and sun, your bungee WILL fail. When this happens your antenna
will be in the water and God knows where else. If it fails at the
bottom, you get a little extra play. No big deal. BTW don’t wire
tie the antenna along the edge of the bowsprit. You will lose
valuable transmitting power. The rule of thumb is never run the
antenna parallel to any metal. Try to cross at 90* if possible.

Most all tuners today are mounted in self contained weather prof
boxes, so the dampness in the chain locker should not be a factor.

On my F33 there is a PVC conduit below the toe rail that runs from
the Nav Station to the chain locker. This would be the most direct
root for your cable from the SSB radio to the tuner.

A word to the wise: You do need to get your Amateur Radio Licence
(HAM) in order to us that SSB radio to talk. You can listen all you
like, but no talk. The exception being that anyone in a “Declared
Emergency” can talk on ANY frequency to get help!

I personally think an SSB for cruising is a must. Even if you don’t
us it to talk. There is a wealth of info given out over hundreds of
NETs all over the world. When the chips are down, don’t be shy, KEY
the thing and get the needed help!

You will want to get some help on installing and setting up your
SSB! They can be a little tricky, so take the time to learn how to
use the thing before you are in that “PICKLE”! We all suffer from
some “BRAIN FREEZE” when the poop hits the fan. That is no time to
be trying to figure out how to use the damn thing!!!

Good luck!
Skip

7

Posted by Jay Glen (svfantasy@…>)

Skip,

Just to clarify the licensing issue regarding Single sideband radios. To legally transmit on SSB all that is required by the FCC is a “Ships Station License” and a “Radiotelephone Operators Permit”. You only need a Amature Radio License (Ham) if you transmit on Ham frequencies or use Marine frequencies when out of U.S. Waters, such as when cruising Mexico. Some SSB’s come bundled with Ham frequencies, others do not.

Jay
F-40 “Fantasy” SF Bay

----- Original Message -----
From: Skip Turpin

To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 8:10 PM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: Single sideband Antennae - Freestanding mast


Thought I would weigh in on this one.Stainless back stays have been used for years. They have been used primarily because they are there! Stainless does work, but it is not a great antenna material for SSB use.As I primarily cruise my F33 Cat/ketch, I opted to go with a standard length of real SSB antenna wire. It is attached to the top of the main mast and runs down to the tip of the bowsprit and then into the chain locker where my tuner is located. The antenna has a bungee at the sprit for flex. This also allows me to move the antenna out of the way should I host a Bar-B-Q on the massive foredeck. (RIGHT!)As the part of the antenna that runs to the tuner is also still part of the transmitting antenna, you want to keep your tuner as close as possible to the vertical part of the antenna! I don’t suggest putting the bungee at the top of the antenna. With time and sun, your bungee WILL fail. When this happens your antenna will be in the water and God knows where else. If it fails at the bottom, you get a little extra play. No big deal. BTW don’t wire tie the antenna along the edge of the bowsprit. You will lose valuable transmitting power. The rule of thumb is never run the antenna parallel to any metal. Try to cross at 90* if possible.Most all tuners today are mounted in self contained weather prof boxes, so the dampness in the chain locker should not be a factor.On my F33 there is a PVC conduit below the toe rail that runs from the Nav Station to the chain locker. This would be the most direct root for your cable from the SSB radio to the tuner.A word to the wise: You do need to get your Amateur Radio Licence(HAM) in order to us that SSB radio to talk. You can listen all you like, but no talk. The exception being that anyone in a “Declared Emergency” can talk on ANY frequency to get help!I personally think an SSB for cruising is a must. Even if you don’t us it to talk. There is a wealth of info given out over hundreds of NETs all over the world. When the chips are down, don’t be shy, KEY the thing and get the needed help! You will want to get some help on installing and setting up your SSB! They can be a little tricky, so take the time to learn how to use the thing before you are in that “PICKLE”! We all suffer from some “BRAIN FREEZE” when the poop hits the fan. That is no time to be trying to figure out how to use the damn thing!!!Good luck!Skip

8

Posted by Paul McFadden (pwhitmac@…>)
Skip, I don’t think you need a Ham license to legally operate a marine single side band unit, unless things have changed recently. PWMSkip Turpin <skipperf33@…> wrote: Thought I would weigh in on this one.Stainless back stays have been used for years. They have been used primarily because they are there! Stainless does work, but it is not a great antenna material for SSB use.As I primarily cruise my F33 Cat/ketch, I opted to go with a standard length of real SSB antenna wire. It is attached to the top of the
main mast and runs down to the tip of the bowsprit and then into the chain locker where my tuner is located. The antenna has a bungee at the sprit for flex. This also allows me to move the antenna out of the way should I host a Bar-B-Q on the massive foredeck. (RIGHT!)As the part of the antenna that runs to the tuner is also still part of the transmitting antenna, you want to keep your tuner as close as possible to the vertical part of the antenna! I don’t suggest putting the bungee at the top of the antenna. With time and sun, your bungee WILL fail. When this happens your antenna will be in the water and God knows where else. If it fails at the bottom, you get a little extra play. No big deal. BTW don’t wire tie the antenna along the edge of the bowsprit. You will lose valuable transmitting power. The rule of thumb is never run the antenna parallel to any metal. Try to cross at 90* if possible.Most
all tuners today are mounted in self contained weather prof boxes, so the dampness in the chain locker should not be a factor.On my F33 there is a PVC conduit below the toe rail that runs from the Nav Station to the chain locker. This would be the most direct root for your cable from the SSB radio to the tuner.A word to the wise: You do need to get your Amateur Radio Licence(HAM) in order to us that SSB radio to talk. You can listen all you like, but no talk. The exception being that anyone in a “Declared Emergency” can talk on ANY frequency to get help!I personally think an SSB for cruising is a must. Even if you don’t us it to talk. There is a wealth of info given out over hundreds of NETs all over the world. When the chips are down, don’t be shy, KEY the thing and get the needed help! You will want to get some help on installing and setting up your SSB! They can be a little tricky, so take the time
to learn how to use the thing before you are in that “PICKLE”! We all suffer from some “BRAIN FREEZE” when the poop hits the fan. That is no time to be trying to figure out how to use the damn thing!!!Good luck!Skip __________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

9

Posted by Skip Turpin (skipperf33@…>)

Ops,

You folks are right! It is the HAM bands that require the license. I
could have been more clear about that!
Skip

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