You want to do what?
As mentioned previously, our main purpose for coming to Washington was to pick up our Ham/SSB radio and get it installed. The pick up has been completed. The install is… progressing.
In my layman’s understanding of the install, there are 3 big parts: antenna, grounding and wiring. With the ease of access to virtually every area on this boat, the wiring will be a snap. Rebecca and I ran the power wires yesterday in 5 minutes. Bill Trayfors, the one doing the install, seems to feel that we can use the stainless steel rub rail on the starboard hull for a good ground for the radio. The antenna is sadly not working out quite so easily. Bill had initially hoped that we could use a length of stainless steel lifeline run from the mast head to the starboard rear pulpit as an antenna but unfortunately, when we tested it, the leech of the sail would hit it when the boom was sheeted out.
That leaves only two alternatives: a stupidly large whip antenna at the back of the boat or using one of the shrouds. Although the last option may be common place, it was not something that I wanted to do, and not just because it will cost an extra 500 bucks. To use the shroud as an antenna, it needs to be cut, shortened and an insulator added into the run high up in the air. Our boat only has two shrouds and they want to cut one? Even though I have been assured (over and over) that this is 100% safe and common place, I’m still not looking forward to it.
The expensive insulator is on order though and should be here today or tomorrow. Once it arrives we’ll get to work on putting the system together.
We had to visit what Bill calls “The Candy Store”
It’s not all work though. We planned that trip near lunch time so we could visit the famous Five Guys burger place.
Was it worth it? Yes!
There is no way that you guys ate that hamburger! If you did, you must have been up all night using the TRX……..I eat like that everyday!!!
The TRX workout was this morning.
Hello,
Some other SSB antenna options…
http://ropeantenna.com/
http://www.themaddogs.com/Equipment/Communications/GAM_SSB_Single_Side_Band_Radio_backstay.htm
Ground systems…
http://www.kiss-ssb.com/
Cool blog. Enjoy your cruising adventure.
John Marra
K2JLM
S/V Sailor Dance
1990 Caliber 33
Long Island Sound
Thanks John. I emailed those links to Bill and he still thinks using the shroud will be the best.
I spent over a year worrying over the antenna issue and in the end determined, as well, that cutting a shroud was the only solution. So far – so good. But I sympathize. What insulator are you going with? We went with Hayne as we felt it incorporated the most failsafe connection. Hope to hear you on the air soon and “hey” to Bill. Tell him that we checked in with Cruisheimers this morning for the first time. We were actually hoping to hear you check in. Maybe later this week? Cheers.
Thanks Kirk. Yes, I believe it is a Hayne that they ordered. I look forward to getting on the air too.
Here’s an idea; maybe while you have the shroud down you can add/create a strong point at or near the same chainplate and connect the spinnaker halyard or another spare halyard there as a safety measure. The line shouldn’t create signal interference and while it isn’t as strong as steel, the halyard needs to be stowed somewhere and it might give you a little peace of mind….. although I don’t really think the insulator joint will fail, especially if it is a Hayne. Just a thought.
P.S. And ask about the Hayne fitting. It is an epoxy joint and curing may add a day to the schedule.
I will ask about that. Thanks Kirk.
Yeah…. Five Guys rocks.
🙂
What I love about you guys is . . no matter the situation be it potty issues and now antenna you make it sound like everything is good, everything is wonderful!!!
Hamburger looks yummy!
We just remind ourselves of what we could be doing instead of this. That makes it all good. 🙂
All I can say is: YUM!
bob
Well put.
Five Guys is awesome!
I’m hungry thinking about it.
I don’t know about Five Guys, but there used to be a well known hamburger joint in Ft. Lauderdale that had REALLY big, juicy, burgers. Fudruckers. When you get far enough south, see how they compare!
As to the antenna issue, I’ve never been able to convince myself to cut my backstay to install my antenna. So I used a J on my boat, hoisted with the main halyard, since I was only using it when I wasn’t sailing. I also used a 2 meter handheld, but not very often. I like building my own radios and antennas. Good luck! 73s
I’ll keep that place in mind. Thanks.