Ham Radio Installation

[Derek Hillen]

I am planning on putting a ham rig on my CD 33 and received a quote for installation (using dynaplates) for $1,800! This seems way too much to me. I was wondering has anyone else recently installed a ham radio onboard? What did it cost? Did you do it yourself and if so, how was the result?
Thanks very much.
Derek
"Galileo"

[Newton Page]

I assume you are considering an HF installation. I use a ham rigs on my CD27 with fairly good results. I am using an ICOM 725 with an AT-120 tuner into an Outbacker antenna mounted on the stern rail. Adequate grounding is critical. If you can tap into the lead in the keel you will be ok. Installation of the type setup I have is an easy do it your self project.

For VHF (2mtrs) I use a handheld ICOM 2AT with a
rubber duck antenna. If I need greater range on 2 meters I use the
marine VHF antenna. It is not a good match for 2 meters, but it works
much better than a rubber duck, which is not a good match for any frequency.

$1800 sounds very high to me, but I do not know what all is being considered for that price. It could be a reasonable price depending on what your installation requires. You can get good HF performance for much less.

Good Luck. 73,

Newton









I am planning on putting a ham rig on my CD 33 and received a quote for installation (using dynaplates) for $1,800! This seems way too much to me. I was wondering has anyone else recently installed a ham radio onboard? What did it cost? Did you do it yourself and if so, how was the result?

Thanks very much.
Derek
"Galileo"

[sam ulbing]

I have used ham rigs on my 40 for 11 years. Did installation myself. Many options. For HF if you only want to use it at anchor an inverted v at the spreaders works well with a simple manual tuner. Ladderline feed line works best but is unsightly. The advantage of course is that no antenna ground is needed. For a vertical type antenna you MUST have a good ground. Some hams have had coppper plates glued to the hull. This would probably cost $1800 to do unless you are having a new boat built. I have used a dipole hoisted vertically with one leg along the life lines and it has worked. Running the ground wire to the engine block and dynaplate etc has never worked very well for me. Probably need a better rf conductor like braid.

As Newton comments, the VHF antenna works fine for 2 meters, altho it is not quite the right length, I have found it is more important to have the 'big' diameter feedline up the mast than to have an antenna cut to the exact lenght.

Assuming you have a ham ticket, I would suggest calling one of the maritime nets and asking for more ideas. On the east coast, the WAterway Net 7268 at 7:45 am eastern has many boaters with ham rigs. You can get more information than you'll know what to do with!



n4uau@afn.org

[Derek Hillen]

Thanks very much Sam and Newton. I am in the process of getting my license now and probably won't get it until the boat goes in the water in April. (I live in CT). If I install Dynaplates I guess I have to do it before then. Otherwise I'll have to look at another option.
I am outfitting for offshore and want to be able to use the rig while underway.
Cheers.

Derek
"Galileo"

I have used ham rigs on my 40 for 11 years. Did installation myself. Many options. For HF if you only want to use it at anchor an inverted v at the spreaders works well with a simple manual tuner. Ladderline feed line works best but is unsightly. The advantage of course is that no antenna ground is needed. For a vertical type antenna you MUST have a good ground. Some hams have had coppper plates glued to the hull. This would probably cost $1800 to do unless you are having a new boat built. I have used a dipole hoisted vertically with one leg along the life lines and it has worked. Running the ground wire to the engine block and dynaplate etc has never worked very well for me. Probably need a better rf conductor like braid.

As Newton comments, the VHF antenna works fine for 2 meters, altho it is not quite the right length, I have found it is more important to have the 'big' diameter feedline up the mast than to have an antenna cut to the exact lenght.

Assuming you have a ham ticket, I would suggest calling one of the maritime nets and asking for more ideas. On the east coast, the WAterway Net 7268 at 7:45 am eastern has many boaters with ham rigs. You can get more information than you'll know what to do with!

[sam]

Good luck. But before you spend lots of $ on dynaplates. I suggest you read more on antenna systems. The antenna handbook from ARRL is good. My point is that i am not sure that you will be happy with the ground you get from a couple of dynaplates alone.