Icom DSC/SSB Antenna

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Uisteach

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Does anyone know if you can use an existing VHF aerial for the DSC connection on an Icom 802? That is, connect the VHF aerial to the 802 DSC socket via a splitter connection?

Or is it necessary to fit another whip aerial (at the mast head)?

Thanks.
 
The second antenna is to receive DSC codes. I don't think it would like to receive the output from the transmitter.

You might consider doing what I did, i.e. fitting a 2nd antenna at the stern rail/goalpost. That way you have a spare antenna to call for help if dismasted - all you need to do is swap the leads. It has a secondary benefit of suppressing those irritating alerts from a long way away that are irrelevant to you.
 
Thanks SL. I guess that as it's ssb the range isn't too reduced from being on the pushpit? And will any whip aerial work, or should there be a minimum spec.? Say, length or quality?
 
I asked exactly the same question of a SSB expert yesterday. His answer was " you need a dedicated HF DSC antenna, type AA25 witha AAXl power unit - essentially a 1 m whip, best placed on top of the mast" Good luck.
 
Okay, thanks but I've no idea what that means/is. Not a joke, is it? I couldn't find any reference on the net, but, then again, I wasn't able to find anything about DSC/SSB aerials anyway. Even Icom have no related info.
 
A bog-standard whip antenna will do the job. It will have maximum range if placed at the top of the mast but ask yourself what range you want -

For transmitting, obviously you need as much range as possible to reach the coastguard etc when in distress. When receiving DSC alerts, anything relevant to you is likely to come from close by. You can't help with a mayday 30 miles away, nor do you need to know about live firing happening 30 miles away so having the alarm go off all the time is simply a pain.

To try it out, call your local CG on DSC. If you get an acknowledgement back, it's working. Unscientific but effective.
 
Sorry David, my reply doesn't read the way it was meant. Thanks for the input, I just meant that I didn't know how to act on it, but that's my fault.

Thanks again SL.
 
I have since found out that an HF active antenna is the usual choice for ssb dsc. Nasa supply one for around £40, from the usual retailers. Can be mounted on the pushpit.

Thanks to all.

ps. I've found Boatersland in the US to be the cheapest and quickest for electronics.
 
The 802 is an HF radio so the DSC is HF . as you want to receive only DSC signals of interest, IE less than 1000 miles you are interested in the lower frequencies which unfortunately means longer antenna or specifically tuned antennas for these frequencies.

I believ there is an amtor/pactor fella who snoops around these forums with regards to seamail and airmail etc and maybe he can offer some help on this. There are tuned ham antennas around but they are not really built for the marine environment.

The longest whip you can cope with would be best and these are seen more in Boaters world and West MArine than Force 4. It might help to get light duty receiving antenna tuner.

Im not so sure that a navtex active antenna would help as it is tuned to a totally different frequency.
 
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