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"a clamp-on vertical antenna that does not require a tuner" – Good
God man, do you have any idea how large that antenna would have to
be? Marine Single Side Band is in the spectrum from 80 meters to 10
meters. That's how long an antenna needs to be without tuning or
adding loads and traps. Hardly clamp-on! Why in the world do you
think large yachts have such large vertical antennas.
--- In , "Bryan Genez" <svcapella at dot dot dot >
wrote:
>
> On 5/17/07, Donald Smith <donsmith at dot dot dot > wrote:
> >
> > Friends,
> >
> > Every time one cuts a cable and inserts a mechanical splice
(i.e., an
> > insulator) a potential failure point is introduced to the
system. No
> > matter how one tries to rationalize that mechanical connection an
> > additional potential failure point has been added. That's a fact!
> > If one can avoid potential failure points then that is prudent.
> > That's fundamental engineering.
> >
> > Of course an insulated backstay works well as an antenna. So does
> > just hoisting a piece of wire from a halyard. So does the split-
lead
> > antenna for GAM. The fact is that on a sailboat the counterpoise
> > (RF ground) has more to do with the efficiency of an antenna than
the
> > antenna itself (assuming adequate length, insulation, and tuning).
> >
> > So, make your antenna choices as you will and SSB to your hearts
> > delight.
> >
>
> An element of fundamental engineering is the science of making
attachments
> that will stand up to their environment. The reality is that the
failure
> rate of backstay insulators is ridiculously low. I know of only
one in the
> past 25 years, and that was because the insulator was not attached
> properly. Most boats that I've seen have potential failure points
far more
> likely to fail than a insulated backstay. Most of these potential
failure
> points were designed-in by the builder.
>
> The backstay antenna has the advantage that it can be used while
underway or
> in heavy weather. Most other antennas will not work under those
conditions.
>
> Another alternative that I've been told works is the "Outbacker" - a
> clamp-on vertical antenna that does not require a tuner. A web
search will
> turn up specifics.
>
> --
> Best,
> Bryan Genez
> "Capella" V40-158
> New Bern, NC
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
