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SSB Installation

G

gallagher805

michael g.
I recently purchased a single side band and am now ready for the
installation. The back stay has been spliced. The tuner and
receiver have been hung. I am now trying to decide the best way
to create the counterpoise. Dyna-plate vs. copper screen /
strapping or a combination of both. I have been trying to figure
out the best solution, but I need some advice. Has anyone
already solved this dilemma? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
A few years ago I put both a Dyna-plate and copper foil in as a ground plane for the SSB. I believe the more surface area and the better. The engine ground, the Dyna-plate the copper and the tuner are all connected.
This arrangement works well.

Ralph Santo CM-38' (072) "Extra Credit"
 
I recently added a SSB rig and an SGC SG-230 antenna tuner to my boat. I used 3" copper foil to connect the radio, tuner, and Dynaplate. In spite of the fact that the SGC is a memory tuner, right now it still "hunts" for the right tuning combination on lower frequencies. As I understand it, this is a sign that more counterpoise is needed, so the next step is to tie the engine into the ground plane system with more copper foil.
I have heard the opinion that just a Dynaplate is sufficient, but that appears to be untrue, at least on my boat.
 
High frequency electrons flow on the surface of the conductor. That's why we use foil. (it's even better then the copper screening) The more the better. Unfortunately, access for running it isn't great. Just run it every where you can and tie everything you can into it. Through hulls,engine block, etc. and adding a dynaplate or wonder bar should also be done.
 
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