Pactor II/III Modem for SSB

Jerry, I failed to find someone to do the job so I did the doctoring for myself on a recent 706 and it is pretty simple - just one diode to crush between long nose pliers . http://www.mods.dk/view.php?ArticleId=1447 has instructions which work and what's more photographs to help you id the diode. I'm interested by your use of coax for the line up to the backstay. I bought thick copper cable (like battery cable) for this part of the installation but it seems to me your idea is better - there's more surface for the rf to flow over.

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Hi John,

Thanks for that info, it's saved in the laptop for future reference now. I had my radio 'done' prior to delivery (new) as the 'work' was covered under the dealer's guarantee as part of the deal.

If you you need to know the cable type for the connection to the backstay, let me know and I'll check it when I'm aboard tomoorow evening and post it here.

Good sailing

Jerry

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Hi Fatipa and John

The cable recommended to, and used by, me is (as printed on the outer sheathing):

RG 213U BX PAMA Low Loss

I made the connection at the ATU by cutting back the inner core and putting a blob of silicone mastic over it to prevent ANY chance of the inner and outer cores touching. It is absolutely essential they don't touch at either end! Then I unwound the outer braid, re-twisting it to form a 'loop' that I then soldered into a solid ring before fixing to the insulator with the wing-nut supplied with the unit.

A similar approach was made to the other end, though after the mastic 'blob', the braid was twisted into a single 'wire' that was again soldered solid and then clamped to the backstay with two s/s jubilee clips. To finish, the whole backstay connection was smeared with teflon grease, then a blob of Boatlife mastic put around the top, before covering all with self-amalgamating tape carried up and down past the backstay connection by around 30mm. The lead should be kept as short as possible (my ATU is, for example, fitted under -deck between the end of the cockpit moulding and the transom and is therefore also kept bone dry) to maximise it's effectiveness.

I check this connection at least twice a year when living aboard (and especially before a long passage) but on each occasion it has been totally free of any corrosion, ensuring the mimimum RVS and maximum range for the SSB.

I used the same cable, but in it's normal co-axial form, for the connection from the ATU to the radio.

Hope this helps with your installations or updates

Good sailing!

Jerry



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Hi,

thanks for link but found it with google search.
I was informed that a yaesu FRG 100 could be opened up by simple cut of one wire but could not confirm this at this site, any ideas?

Hamish

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Far be it from me (very far) to mention an obscene word on this forum but what are you guys doing about a thing called (if I remember) a 'license'.
I find that all radio equipment connects to the aether without the help of this device (which must be some sort of insulator or ground plane, but a very expensive one).
I have discovered that the FCC will happily take foreigners $$$ and send them one, even in evil places like France, thus avoiding something unpleasant called a 'course' or even more unpleasant 'an examination' - presumably involving HMCE and rubber gloves.
 
Well yes, why not. It is a legal universally accepted document for operator and boat. I gave my correct address to the FCC and got my access codes etc as a 'Foreign National' so unlike the USCG who won't let a non US owner register a boat the FCC seems not to care.
$200 for the boat, $50 for me.
 
licence for the boat is cheaper through UK. Will be interested to investigate legality of foreign licence . Cheapest course for license in UK is abt £300
 
The boat license is 10 years, personal for life.
I should add I am staying well clear of my beloved EU for some time to come so the legality of the FCC license in Europe will not be tested, at least by me. I doubt I'll be back until the three Nations that pay for the EU realise hey're being conned by the other twenty something and the whole damned mess falls apart.
Incidentally at pretty much $2 to the £ there are boat bargains to be had in our former colony at the moment.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well yes, why not. It is a legal universally accepted document for operator and boat.

[/ QUOTE ]There is an Ofcom member of staff who is a yachtsman and frequents this forum, who will no doubt jump in once his cold turkey and mince pies have been digested. Meanwhile, I understand that in general you have to regularise your equipment and licences in accordance with the flag of the vessel - not the nationality of the owner or anything else - simply the flag of the vessel. In which case I don't think that an FCC-licenced British-flagged vessel meets the law (or is it regs?). I can't think why your personal FCC licence should not be fine, though. For those thinking of doing that rather than taking the LRC I would only say that you do learn a lot on that course and one day it might be handy!
 
a quick look at the FCC site would suggest that in order to qualify for an FCC operator licence, a foreign citizen needs to have an FCC licenced radio. The FCC licence for the radio is a lot more money that the UK one, and because of UK registry you would actually need to have both - looks like a minefield to me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
a quick look at the FCC site would suggest that in order to qualify for an FCC operator licence, a foreign citizen needs to have an FCC licenced radio

[/ QUOTE ]Presumably anyone who actually holds a personal FCC licence is licenced to operate any other properly licenced marine set? For example, if an American yachting friend were to borrow my boat, which is British Registered and has a legal and licenced SSB, he would be permitted to operate the SSB on his licence? Or are you saying that if my friend, who holds a personal FCC licence, is not a US citizen, then he may not operate my set?
 
No, I am saying that in order for a foreigner to qualify for a FCC license, he needs to already have an FCC licensed Radio - I think I already said that.
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Qualifications

To qualify, you must:
be either a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States or hold an aircraft pilot certificate valid in the United States or hold an FCC radio station in your own name; and

be able to speak and hear; and

be able to keep at least a rough written log; and

be familiar with provisions of applicable treaties, laws and rules which govern the radio station you will operate.
If you are a non-resident alien you must hold one of the following three documents to be eligible for an RP:
a valid United States pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration; or

a foreign aircraft pilot certificate which is valid in the United States on the basis of reciprocal agreements with foreign governments; or

a valid radio station license issued by the FCC in your own name. (An RP issued on this basis will authorize you to operate your own station only.)


[/ QUOTE ]
 
As I understand it, if you are an alien, you can get an operator's certificate if you have an FCC licenced station. But if that is so, you can operate that station, however, you cannot operate one on another's boat.

I think that is what Talbot is also saying (kick me Mark if that is not so! -as an aside the USA licence is cheaper than UK; USD200 if I recollect correctly but valid for 10 years).

However, if your boat is registered in another country, not the USA eg UK, France, or whatever, then you are required to have the station licence issued in the country of registration. It is then up to the country your vessel is registered in as to if they allow you to operate the radio or not, your being a holder of an operator's certificate issued in another country.

John
 
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