Single Side Band Antenna

[JLR]

The PO removed the side band antenna but not the side band nor the tuner. I am deciding whether to add back the antenna and assorted mounts. However, my use of the side band will be extremely limited. I only listen to the maritime mobile net on 14.3 mhz. I do not transmit and will never be far enough away from vhf reception to require its use for safety. Here is my question. I have been told that I can test my likely reception before installing the antenna and mounts by merely taking a 16 gauge wire of about 23 feet or so and stretching it out. Then, the Icom SSB should be able to tune the wire to receive the required frequency. I have done this and although I can hear the tuner working, I still get no reception on the frequency I mentioned, albeit in my marina. Under these circumstances, I would hate to go through the trouble of installing the antenna, stand off, mount etc just to receive the same result. Any thoughts would be appreciated to pre test my SSB reception before installing the antenna. By the way, it works great as a very large am radio. Thanks.

 

[Boatsb]

Get a local guy that has a working rig to test yours.

 

[Scarlett]

I can’t remember the name, something like outback, but it is a portable HF antennae which should be all you need to just receive.

 

[JLR]

That would be perfect if only you might recall the name. Are you referring to a ham stick?

 

[Scarlett]

The one I was thinking of allowed you to place the wire at different locations on the antenna for different transmit frequencies. They were designed for portable use, like guys who want to climb a mountain and transmit on ham bands, I guess it is some kind of a ham cult thing. For receiving you did not have to change anything. Might try a ham outfit. John

 

[JLR]

To come full circle on this, I have finished the project. The problem- two vhf's, two 16' vhf antennas, one single side band no antenna. How to maintain symmetry ( for those who find this important, I do not), while being able to use all three radios. Solution - rigged up a Shakespeare two vhf, one antenna, automatic switching gizmo connected to the starboard 16' vhf antenna and I removed the port vhf antenna and replaced it with a 17.5' two piece SSB antenna for the SSB. And, to alleviate my concern about having both VHF's running through some electric gizmo, I have a manual barrel connector at the ready to manually tie each radio to the antenna taking the electric gizmo out of the loop.