Where can I get an SSB Vertical Antenna in UK

steverow

steverow

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Im looking for a 23 ft ish Fibreglass whip vertical HF antenna in two or three sections for my boat.
So far Ive drawn a blank in the UK.
Ive tried importing one from the states, but the 12ft package length is over the standard international length allowed by UPS et al.
Anyone point me in the right direction in the UK at a reasonable price, bearing in mind that these things are about £200 dollars or less in the states??

Steve
 
I've got one of the ICOM Marine antenna it's a used one, not sure of the length but it was paired up with an M700
 
yachtbits can supply

We sell Pacific Brand

either a
4.9mtr £150 + vat
or
7.3mtr £210 + vat

either one will need a mount pack at £45 + vat

carriage £4.95 inc vat

email me if interested, and I'll add them to the website so you can order online.

kev
 
Re: yachtbits can supply

You can make one yourself quite easily. Assuming you have an antenna tuning unit (coupler) The pole aerial ios just wire wrapped around a fibreglass fishing pole. The length is not critical but around 40 feet of wire should do the job. It needs to be mounnted and the wire connected to a suitable feed through the deck to the tuner. The feed through is often ceramic but in nay case needs to be built up to a height of several inches to minimise the possibility of salt water in effect earthing the antenna wire to the sea. The tuner should happily make the wire resonant and so efficient in the same way a backstay of any length can also be tuned.
There is a local provider here in West Oz Barrett Communications who makes a whip antenna with an automatcv antenna tuner unit built into the base. PM me if you want more details. regards olewill
PS vehicles are often fitted with only 2 metre rod antenna for HF SSB and it works well. Obviously the longer the better.
 
I have one for sale. Bought it in Trinidad in Jan 05. Sailed back across the Atlantic this year so SSB and 26 ft commercial whip antenna now surplus to requirements. I had one of the best radio set-ups crossing the Atlantic this year. Only failed to speak to Herb on one day out of the 22 days it took us to cross from Antigua to Azores. Other boats all around us were having real problems communicating with their proffessionally installed rigs. I fitted my own. Even when we were only 200 miles from Ireland, we were still speaking to Herb in Toronto! Normally you would think we were just lucky with atmospheric conditions but boats very close to us had no reception and Herb could not hear them transmit. We did quite a few relays for people. I paid £200 in Trinidad for the whip. This is not your normal spec but a high quality bit of kit. It comes in 3 sections of the same length. I am in Macclesfield. Cheshire if you are interested
 
If you have a MOBO then you will want a good looking antena! If a sail boat the back stay, works perfectly. with either you will need an antenna tuner automatic or manual.

All this talk of SSB it would be wonderful if someone relativly fixed in location set up a daily or so many days a week a scuttelbut net then those with SSBs could get to use them!!

One very useful idea would be if crusers set up an email account that could be used to get mail when at anchor or away from an internet conecction--the pass could be given to net control and the short emails sent and received by the net and read out on the SSB--for example x is delayed will be in Malta week late or could you send me a new immpeller to capitanery--or post restrant--etc

Plus a good exchange of info-- such and such a port has space! X.anchorage is now paid!plus greating from all over and discovering that boats are just in the same anchorage and can get together for a beir!!!

All these boats with SSBs and never used!!!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
All this talk of SSB it would be wonderful if someone relativly fixed in location set up a daily or so many days a week a scuttelbut net then those with SSBs could get to use them!!

[/ QUOTE ]
The idea was tried this summer - I was one of those planning to take part but weather constraints meant I didn't get to the boat at the appointed time. I gather from those who tried that nothing came of it. These things need a bit of momentum to get going. What's needed is one or two people who can be sure of being aboard to start it and persevere until it builds up - a tall order.
 
what frequency did you use?

Your correct there needs to be someone on the frequency the same time on each net day, at least with maratime bands a chosen frequency will almost always be free unlike the amature bands

The net would have to be often mentioned hear that those interested would know when and where to call

When we had our last ssb groupe to keep in touch we used 4megs for close calls and 14megs for distance and it worked well we were France Malta and Turkey with others somewhere between, we gradually lost touch as some went to the carabean and the busy summer arrived for the rest of us pity though

Now winter would be a good time to start as liveaboards dont tend to move much and have time?
 
Been there unfortunately, nothing doing from the amateur world, either them Nevada, or Lowes or Martin Lynch. It's even difficult these days to get an HF mobile for a car. Icom of course but at a premium.

Steve

g1fip
 
Id be happy to set up an amateur net from home a couple of days per week(not weekends..generally on the boat), for ham forumites, if anyone wants it.
Im in the midlands so relatively central to all coastlines.
80 or 40 metres??
Steve

g1fip
 
These are good, but not cheap

SGC

The critical thing is a decent tuner and a decent ground; a bit of wire will do for the antenna.


net: Selfishly, I suggest 20m to get people further afield.

PS: I assume you know how much information you reveal with your callsign?
 
20m is 14megs we used 13megs not 14 i got it wrong marine bands are far better than amature there is a rubbish net for a few "snob"net on 14303 everyday at 8 and 20 oclock gmt
We are all amatures as well and have a call but i havent been on for perhaps 3years!! the amature bands are really boreing! just signal reports no chat at all by now
We who were wintering in Sardinia agreed tokeep in touch and for about 2 years we managed but slowy we went off air as so much was going on.We used marine bands and marine calls so we could include those that just wanted to join in as they crossed to the carabian or from corsica to minorca

the reason the group stopped was lack of publicity we slowly drifted off and our sailing areas dident find boats equiped with SSB--a net which has a link hear would work!!
 
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