SSB ground plane

[Omatako]

I need some help with this subject.
My SSB (Kenwood TRC70) gets a reasonable reception. I have talked to other boats 1000 miles away but I have no comparison so I have no idea how good it could be. I have the radio connected directly to an aerial tuner and then on to the backstay as the antenna, i.e. apparently no ground plane of any sort .
I have seen some data on ground planes like waffle plates that go in the water on the bottom of the hull, copper braid connected to a network of seacocks and so on. I don't want to drill any more holes in my hull and my seacocks are not bronze or geometrically suitable.
Does any one have any ideas that would help me establish a decent ground plane without serious modification? Also are the benefits worth the effort? I will be using the SSB for Weatherfax and Navtex during and Indian Ocean crossing and wouldn't want to find a poor reception when I'm out there.

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[charles_reed]

assuming your boat is grp

Bond either copper mesh, or copper strip, below the waterline and connect to the tuner earth using maximum surface area connection.

RF earth is more important for TX than RX, so if you're satisfied with your current set-up leave well alone. All the marine SSB gurus, however, stress the importance of the RF ground for good transmission/reception.

Don't waste money on those sintered ground plates - great for the first few weeks, then gradually get less and less effective as they get fouled.

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[PaulJ]

There is a good article on antenna grounding on the Icom America website :-

http://www.icomamerica.com/support/documents/antena_grounding.pdf



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[jbate]

just read the reference.
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/documents/antena_grounding.pdf
Interesting article, thanks for the reference.
JB


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[MainlySteam]

As an example of how good it can be - on amateur frequencies I can work, from the boat in Wellington using the marine set, UK amateurs mobile in their cars in the UK, they operating 100 watts. Performance on the marine frequencies should be equivalently good and working yachts in the UK from NZ should be a doddle in comparison - trouble is that most installations on boats are too poor.

John

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[MainlySteam]

If you liked the Icom one, you may like to try this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sgcworld.com/publications/SGChug.html>http://www.sgcworld.com/publications/SGChug.html</A>. While still introductory it is more comprehensive.

They ask for your details but their privacy policy I have had no problems with (even to the extent that they have recently advised that they have curtailed sending out their subscribed to newsletter emails until the legal situation regarding spam is clarified). Alternatively, one can, of course, fill in their form with gibberish.

John

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[Sailorbuoy]

I have a sailing boat with a cast steel keel about 2.5 tons and stainless steel keel bolts.
Simply take your copper earth strap or the braiding of a length of coax from the stud to your ATU earth (or radio transmitte). Keep as short as possible. This will provide a super ground plane.
I have good signal reports on long distance communications.

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[Bergman]

Can't add to the ideas on creating an earth other than to stress it's importance.

What also matters is correct choice of frequency for maximum propogation. The RSGB site gives good info on this.

The range you achieve is far more dependant on this than on your power output.

Therre are lots of examples, I used to work into USA regularly on a converted CB set on 30 MHz band using 5 watts and a cut down CB antenna on the car roof. Most amateurs can quote similar examples.

Strange as it may seem achieveing 50 - 100 miles range after dark is much more difficult than than 1000 mile plus.

As I am typing this I am listening to an amateur station in Nottingham being swamped by 2 stations speaking Russian. Funny thing propogation.



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[flyfisher]

You might try a Google search: Gordon West SSB ground

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