SSB Installation: Getting it right!!
Whichever antenna you are going to use, backstay or whip, this page is intended to give some hints on how to get the best performance.
ICOM AT141
First thing to consider is that your SSB antenna is like a musical instrument, if you want to sound good (transmit well) then you must get it right. Although it may receive stations does not mean that it will transmit or radiate well.

The antenna starts at the top of the ATU (antenna tuner unit) and ends at the top of the antenna, if using the back stay then top insulator. Therefore the cable from the ATU to the antenna itself is part of the antenna and it is recommended that a high voltage cable is used.
The backstay can be used as an antenna, if properly insulated and a good RF connection is made to it.
Due to the length of the backstay, performance is usually better than a whip on the lower frequencies (2MHz and 4MHz).
Try and keep the antenna well clear of any metal, including bottom section of backstay.
  1. Mount top insulator at least 1 metre or more from top of mast.
  2. Mount bottom insulator close to deck level.
  3. The antenna length, from top of ATU to the top insulator, should be no shorter then 7 metres and no longer the 15 metres.
    1. To avoid half wavelenghts on marine frequencies, the antenna lengh should be no loger the 15 metres.
    2. If antenna longer then 15 metres then ATU may have problems tuning the antenna on higher frequencies.
  4. Stand the antenna cable from the antenna tuner to the backstay off uninsulated backstay or other metal by 75mm using some plastic tubing and secure with cable ties.
    1. Keep antanna as far away from other cables and metal objects as possible.

NOTE: The antenna starts at the ATU and therefore the antenna is between the ATU and TOP insulator of the backstay!

Insulated Backstay, if done properly a backstay can make a very good SSB antenna.

BACKSTAY

Depending on the frequency, you may loose transmit power if you do not stand off the antenna cable from the bottom backstay section.

The weakest electric link in any backstay insulation, is the connection to the backstay. Keep the connection clean and do look from time to time for corrosion.
You may want to consider fitting a HF whip antenna on the stern of your yacht. HF whip antennas work best as it gives vertical polarization which is good for long range communications on higher frequencies, 8MHz and above depending on the whip length.
Whip antennas are usually more cost efffective and easier to install then a backstay.

Whip antennas are used by many professionals, look at RNLI offshore lifeboats.

Click here for Pacific Aerials HF Whips

It is not practical to get an antenna system on a yacht to work across a wide range of wavelengths. An MF/HF SSB works on a wide range of frequencies (2MHz to 25MHz) and therefore wavelengths are between 12 metres to 150 metres.

An antenna which works on 12MHz may not be so good on 2MHz.
A good antenna on 2MHz is harder to achieve due to the long wavelength (150 metres) and may not be effective on 12MHz due the multi-wavelength of 6 wavelengths long.
When considering the antenna system, decide what frequency you are going to use the most and optimize the antenna for that frequency.

ICOM AT141Avoid multiple wavelengths or half wavelengths as the ATU may have problems tuning to these frequencies.
If the antenna length is 15 metres long then the ATU should tune across a frequency range of 1.6 to 25 MHz with no problems.

NOTE: The antenna on an SSB systems starts at the Antenna Tuner Unit (ATU) !

Attend a YachtCom Long Range Certificate course to find out more!

Around the Internet you will find many ways of installing an SSB, what works on one boat may not work so well on another, the best advice is keep it simple (KISS - follow the above, one ground connection + antenna)!

WHY SSB MIGHT BE FOR YOU!
Get the answer from Rod Heikell's very informal site

Marine Radio

Information

YachtCom Courses

SailCom Marine

Marine Radio Operator's Certificate

A marine radio operator's licence is an international legal requirement.

Yachtsmen operating a VHF only radio require a Short Range Certificate .

If operating an SSB, VHF and Inmarsat from a yacht then a Long Range Certificate is required.

Visit www.yachtcom.co.uk for more information about otaining your marine radio operators certificate.

Long Range Certificate

The Long Range Certificate is required for operations on all marine frequencies from a leisure craft.

MCA approved course & exam.

The course covers:-
- Marine VHF, SSB including DSC
- Inmarsat
- Operation and procedures.
- EPIRB, SARTs and NAVTEX.

Course duration including exam:-
- 2 days with on-line e-study
- 4 days with classroom study.

Click here for more information

Short Range Certificate

The Short Range Certificate is required for operations on marine VHF channels from onboard a leisure craft.

In the UK the Short Range Certificate is issued by the RYA.

The course covers:-
- Marine VHF DSC radio
- Operation and procedures
- EPIRB, SARTs and NAVTEX.

Course duration including exam:-
- 1 day

Click here for more information

On-Line e-study

Both the
Short Range Certificate (SRC) and
Long Range Certificate (LRC)
can be studied on-line using YachtCom's e-study training package.

The LRC and SRC e-study packages have been used by mainy students to obtain there marine radio operator's certificate.

Easy of use and informative the on-line e-study package is an ideal way to study for your marine radio operator's certificate. To study on-line just sign up for a course.

Click here for more information