demonboy
regular
Reged: 11/10/2004
Posts: 688
Loc: Boat: Turkey. Me: boat.
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I'm just putting together my checklist for installing my Icom 710 and want to ensure I have everything. What's missing from this list? What kind of cable should I be using and so on...
- 710 unit
- ATU 130
- insulated backstay
- ground-plate
- copper wire somewhere???
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Stingo
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Reged: 17/10/2001
Posts: 6319
Loc: Durban
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Not copper wire, but copper strip (as wide as possible)
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demonboy
regular
Reged: 11/10/2004
Posts: 688
Loc: Boat: Turkey. Me: boat.
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What's it for?
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Stingo
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Reged: 17/10/2001
Posts: 6319
Loc: Durban
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I'm not an expert on this, but IIRC, it has something to do with transmission and must be below the waterline (inside the boat). The more you have, the better your SSB will work. It connects the ATU to the ground plate, which should be as near to the ATU as possible.
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Cruising and Sailing Wiki By Cruisers
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Edited by Stingo (17/05/2008 10:59)
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Saltyjohn
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Reged: 06/09/2004
Posts: 1860
Loc: UK
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To provide the groundplane against which your antenna works - the counterpoise.
Copper foil about 3" wide provides a good groundplane when run below the waterline picking up anything grounded, such as keel, watertanks etc. It then connects to your antenna, ATU and radio ground connections.
Flat conductors such as copper foil provide a counterpoise whereas round wires don't.
I had this system, recommended by the radio guru Gordon West, and it worked very well.
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John
http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk
Uncommon cruising kit: Metz, Loos, Bandit, Bilge-Mate...
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Captainslarty
regular
Reged: 12/08/2007
Posts: 2012
Loc: Currently La Coruna Spain
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Hi DB
good list, forget the ground plate, use a single bronze through hull (isolated) to start with.
You dont need an insulator on the lower end of the backstay if a fibregalss or non metal boat. bjust slip a 6 foot length of wire cover over the portion that someone may touch 
To add more ground - if ever needed - connect heavy items - like the engine ! by a piece of 6mm earth cable (Certainly doesnt need to be flat strip) to the isolated through hull VIA a 0.1 microfarad 1000v disc ceramic capacitor (Sounds expensive and comlicated lol - but they are pence, and have 2 legs !!! - use a piece of cable block (the plastic type strip with brass inserts) stick 2 bits of cable (the 6 mm earth ) on one side, and the capacitor on the other.. this provides RF path but blocks DC hence no risk of interaction.
Use a 30 amp fuse in the supply (Ahead of the installed fuses in the lead). take a direct feed to the batteries if possible and if you need to extend the supplied cable go up to larger cable.
You will need a couple of pl259 plugs to suit the so239 connectors on the radio and atu, and another small length of 6mm cable to connect the atu output to the chainplate - either use a ring terminal large enough to go under one of the chainplate bolts - or, drill and tap a small hole in the bottom of the plate and use a small ring terminal.
Connect the ground on the atu DIRECTLY to the through hull - the capacitors are only needed if you add additional items.
try to keep the rg58 coax cable - that you fit your pl259 plugs on - away from the power leads if possible.
The most difficult thing is finding space for the enormous bulk of the large but incredibly good 710 
Have fun.
Joe
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jerryat
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Reged: 20/03/2004
Posts: 3174
Loc: Nr Plymouth
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Quote:
To provide the groundplane against which your antenna works - the counterpoise.
Copper foil about 3" wide provides a good groundplane when run below the waterline picking up anything grounded, such as keel, watertanks etc. It then connects to your antenna, ATU and radio ground connections.
Flat conductors such as copper foil provide a counterpoise whereas round wires don't.
I had this system, recommended by the radio guru Gordon West, and it worked very well.
I completely agree with you although I do not feel you need to connect to water-tanks and the like unless you don't have a CI keel or sintered plate. This is the way I, and many others I've helped over the years have installed their rigs. I think CS's method is unnecessarily complicated. I don't see the need to use anything other than the (CI) keel or sintered plate and would definitely connect the ATU to either of these with a 75mm wide copper tape (it's not very thick so be careful as it can tear) which can be laid along the bilge or adjacent bulkheads and impact glued into place. A coat or two or Danboline (bilge paint) will prevent corrosion.
FWIW, I would always use two insulators on the backstay. If you omit the lower one, you run the risk of salt water crystals creating a problem. The insulators have fins to reduce this risk.
Demonboy, the installation above is very simple and works extremely well.
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Captainslarty
regular
Reged: 12/08/2007
Posts: 2012
Loc: Currently La Coruna Spain
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Seems a lot of work to connect a simple antenna.... mucho hyperbole on the internet..
Al I can say is I have 25 years ACTUAL real world experience.. not surfed.. and it works.. you can spend money. or not.. and get excellent results..
Tell me surfed gurus... what is the benefit of using strip as opposed to wire.. why do hams not use the same thing.. why are ground plane antennas made of wire counterpoises...
cos you READ it somewhere ?? or you KNOW ??.. major difference...
Salt water crystals in insulators ?? give me a break lol ??.. I have heard it all now. utter dross.
sorry, but it is.. please YOU tell me why.. dont quote some dubious site..
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez Crizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz n Allaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Fins on insulators.. sorry.. lmao... Absolutely totally ridiculous.
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PM me for info re SSB's etc. Bought, sold, repaired, fitted and optimised.
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jerryat
regular
Reged: 20/03/2004
Posts: 3174
Loc: Nr Plymouth
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I have installed quite a few rigs on yachts over the years and can only confirm that, without exception, those concerned reported superb results. You do not have the exclusive to this type of work. If you do not agree, simply say so, and keep your banal remarks to yourself.
I'm afraid I find you a rather unpleasant, 'know-all' character, so will place you on my ignore list as, I believe, many others have recently done.
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Captainslarty
regular
Reged: 12/08/2007
Posts: 2012
Loc: Currently La Coruna Spain
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Superb, no worries,,
I have installed HUNDREDS and do so all the time. unpleasant is as unpleasant be.. but ill informed posters quoting thing they have no understanding of is the norm on internet sites,,,
Please feel free to NOT reply as you chose to ignore me.
I KNOW what I KNOW.. if you find that less than appealing.. bye bye. but I am fed up to the teeth of would be techs without substance.
If, you want to discuss the ins n outs or techy merits of a solution, I would be happy to oblige.
Otherwise.. yes, the ignore poster is a great option.
I offer facts, you offer anecdotes supported by clueless owners who report 'superb results'
I make more than I ever need doing this, and will continue.. I dont offer snake oil promises, just reality. I dont quote mega bucks for needless kit - like sintered ground plates or foil.. just tell it like it is - hopefully to the benefit of all.
Jerry.. sorry ol' boy. if you feel that way.. but err well.. good bye !.
When you have an objective and technical argument to offer, please feel free to add.
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PM me for info re SSB's etc. Bought, sold, repaired, fitted and optimised.
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