single side band, recommendations wanted

[Bob Pence]

I am considering installing SSB in CD36. What does it take? Economy and quality required. Need any special license? Brand?



sixpence@dmv.com

[Jeff Barnes]

I am considering installing SSB in CD36. What does it take? Economy and quality required. Need any special license? Brand?

Bob:

I recently installed an SSB on my CD36 ("Jazman"). I chose the ICOM 710 with the remote head so as to enable mounting in the starboard instrument panel next to the chart table. The standard 710 w/o the remote head is too deep for flush mounting. I mounted the main box of the in the cabinet under the chart table. While there are other manufacturers of SSBs, I chose the ICOM due to what appears to be the best trade-off between quality, ease of use, support and price. No complaints, so far.

Installation can be a bit of a project, however. Let me walk you through what I did;

For the antenna, I use an insulated backstay (Norseman non-swaged insulators). The top insulator is approximately 4 feet from the masthead; the bottom is approximately 7 feet from the transom. You want at least 23' of backsaty as an antenna for low frequency transmission.

My automatic antenna tuner (ICOM AT-130) is located in the aft lazarette and connects to the back stay using high voltage GTO cable.

The connection between the ICOM 710 and the ICOM 130 is with RG-8U coax.

Grounding (this is critical)is done with 3" wide copper foil running from the ground on the antenna tuner, connected to the starboard cockpit drain through-hull and continuing on to the Dynaplate. Also, there is copper foil running from the main SSB unit to the Dynaplate.

Wiring to the main SSB unit is done with #6 from the breaker panel (which ahs been upgraded from the original) using a dedicated 30A breaker. (The #6 cable prevents voltage dro over what is approximately a 15' run).

You are required to have an FCC ship's radio license.

Keep in mind, that in addition to the cost of the SSB unit, you will also have to purchase the antenna tuner ($200-300), as well as insulators for your backstay ($240/pair). There are less expensive antenna solutions, however they are inefficient and compromise the versatility and transmission range of the radio.

This should get you started. Have fun and email at jbarnes@oxbio.com if you have any other questions.

Regards



jbarnes@oxbio.com

[Ken Coit]

Bob,

You can also get an Icom SSB (IC-M710RT version 02) which will allow you to operate on the amateur radio bands with the same tuner and antenna. Of course, an amateur license is required. Detailed specs are available at: http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/ssb/

Given that Bob Chamberlin had an SSB onboard your boat earlier, I wouldn't be surprised if he already installed a wonderful grounding system. That has to be half the battle.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
ND7N

I am considering installing SSB in CD36. What does it take? Economy and quality required. Need any special license? Brand?

Bob:

I recently installed an SSB on my CD36 ("Jazman"). I chose the ICOM 710 with the remote head so as to enable mounting in the starboard instrument panel next to the chart table. The standard 710 w/o the remote head is too deep for flush mounting. I mounted the main box of the in the cabinet under the chart table. While there are other manufacturers of SSBs, I chose the ICOM due to what appears to be the best trade-off between quality, ease of use, support and price. No complaints, so far.

Installation can be a bit of a project, however. Let me walk you through what I did;

For the antenna, I use an insulated backstay (Norseman non-swaged insulators). The top insulator is approximately 4 feet from the masthead; the bottom is approximately 7 feet from the transom. You want at least 23' of backsaty as an antenna for low frequency transmission.

My automatic antenna tuner (ICOM AT-130) is located in the aft lazarette and connects to the back stay using high voltage GTO cable.

The connection between the ICOM 710 and the ICOM 130 is with RG-8U coax.

Grounding (this is critical)is done with 3" wide copper foil running from the ground on the antenna tuner, connected to the starboard cockpit drain through-hull and continuing on to the Dynaplate. Also, there is copper foil running from the main SSB unit to the Dynaplate.

Wiring to the main SSB unit is done with #6 from the breaker panel (which ahs been upgraded from the original) using a dedicated 30A breaker. (The #6 cable prevents voltage dro over what is approximately a 15' run).

You are required to have an FCC ship's radio license.

Keep in mind, that in addition to the cost of the SSB unit, you will also have to purchase the antenna tuner ($200-300), as well as insulators for your backstay ($240/pair). There are less expensive antenna solutions, however they are inefficient and compromise the versatility and transmission range of the radio.

This should get you started. Have fun and email at jbarnes@oxbio.com if you have any other questions.

Regards

ken.coit@fnc.fujitsu.com

[John]

</LI>

I am considering installing SSB in CD36. What does it take? Economy and quality required. Need any special license? Brand?

For what it's worth to you I have a Icom M-700TY with a AT-120 auto antenna tuner installed on our CD30. It is set up with a insulated backstay antenna. The Icom in my opinion is the best piece of equipment on board. It is truly a professional quality transceiver. As others have noted the ground counterpoise is critical to the performance of the transceiver and antenna tuner.

The counterpoise is a fair amount of work depending on what method is used to acheive it. There are several variations. The Icom owners manual has excellent info on installing a proper counterpoise. Other sources of excellent info are books by Gordon West and Nigel Calder and others.

SEA (Stephens Engineering / Datamarine) makes a very fine line of SSB's as well. By all means use a insulated backstay for top performance no matter what brand equipment you purchase. Be aware that backstay insulators need to be inspected on a regular basis just like other rigging components to prevent unexpected failure.