triadic stay ssb

When we purchased MENEHUNE, we had considerable noise when our SSB was in "receive" mode..... we did all sorts of things to get rid of the noise, but no luck!

Then, about 2 yrs ago, I read (somewhere(?)) that nearby fluorescent lights or LED indicators could be the cause. Sure enough when receiving, I turned OFF all nearby fluorescent lights and LED indicators , one of which was a mere 6" from the cable that connects the transmitter to the autotuner, and now reception is much more clear.

Now I must go back... remove the grounding wires, and install copper foil.

john cece
MENEHUNE W42 #195 (1982)

Captain John,

Absolutely correct!

Noise is the biggest problem when trying to listen on your HF radio.

Local sources are usually the strongest. Fluorescent Lights emit high frequency Radio energy.
So do: Inverters, Digital Clocks, Microwaves, Refrigerators, LEDs indicators, the list goes on.

Best to turn off your Inverter. That way most of those sources are unpowered when listening.

One must still look at the DC powered devices too and other boats and things on the dock.

Best to try HF listening way out away from civilization. Back side of the moon is a good place.


p.s. Note the RF Chokes that must be placed during installation. They are important.
This helps diminish your own RF emissions and interference with your own computer and systems.


Patrick

Hi All,

After listening to Herb Hilgenberg repeatedly tell people to shut down their systems while trying to communicate with him, I decided to set up a separate, fused direct link to the battery bank, bypassing the main ship's DC power system. Similar to the setup on the bilge pumps. This allowed me to quiet the vessel while transmitting. Works well for short periods like email, listening to Chris Parker, etc. I have good grounding and copper ribbon connectors.

An added advantage is that the person on the helm needs to be warned so as to take over manual or wind steering on the boat, thus avoiding the erratic behaviour of the Raymarine autopilot when transmitting, even with good SWR.

BIG drawback is that essential systems such as the refrigeration are shut down, hence the large label tapes on the Nav Station and the
companionway stairs saying FRIDGE ?? to remind me to power up again. So far no disasters.

David

W42 #321 Shamal

Thanks for the great information and links. This whole SSB installation is quite a learning experience! I am glad to learn some of the science behind it.

Patrick, I would like to chat. Pick a time and frequency and let's see if we can link up. Anyone else want to join us? We can start our own Whitby-Brewer SSB Net!

Scott
Joie de Vivre
Currently in Marathon, FL

Please put me on the list...... I have a SSB instllation here at home...... I keep playing with the antenna which is hanging from a tree near the house.....

already in existence is the Cruiseheimers SSB Net: 8152 KHz (USB) at 0830 local each morning..... this is an East Coast/Bahamas net that links already many cruisers, some of whom are Whitby/Brewer owners......it is a controlled net, just listen for a few minutes, and you;ll catch on real quick.....

john
MENEHUNE (resting on-the-hard in Maryland).

Scott,

Great, I just used the ICEPAC Point to Point propagation model. Newark, DE to Marathon, FL and assume return path identical.
That may not be true. spaceweather.com/ Shows sunspot number is 54 We can try.

Ran it for Mean Signal Power at receiver. Looked at Signal to Noise too.

Looks like best times and freqs are:

between 3 hrs and 11 hrs UT and about 6 MHz

Eastern Time USA is -5 hrs UT

So EST = 2200 to 0600 hrs 10pm till 6am The Night Shift.


I have to travel this week. We could try next week.

Do you stay up late? I usually get up very early. Prefer very early schedule.

I am willing to stay up late. Name a time.

We could use 6 MHz and coordinate via our cell phones to move frequency if necessary.

Please call me at home or email me to coordinate first.
patrickecornelius@comcast.net hm 302-286-7134


Patrick on Gaia.