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SSB on junks (including antenna location, ground plates...)

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  • 30 Mar 2013 22:37
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    Reply # 1255192 on 1255030
    Anonymous member
    Brian Kerslake wrote:Didn't David Tyler warn us off Chinese solar panels? Perhaps their wind gens are better. Do you know www.alibaba.com - search for alternative energy generators. By all means start a new thread, unless we have one already.
    I warned about some cheap amorphous silicon panels that I bought through Amazon, which were probably, but not necessarily, made in China. They were intended more for RV use than for boat use, and were held together with mild steel screws. 
  • 30 Mar 2013 19:11
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    Reply # 1255109 on 1255030
    Deleted user
    Brian Kerslake wrote:Didn't David Tyler warn us off Chinese solar panels? Perhaps their wind gens are better. Do you know www.alibaba.com - search for alternative energy generators. By all means start a new thread, unless we have one already.

    In the words of many people other than myself - it is hard to find something which is not made in China these days. Certainly there are a lot of high quality chinese made solar panels being sold in NZ these days and I think it is them which has brought the price down so dramatically. I have a chinese made 80 watt panel which I have had now for 5 years and it works just fine. While there are Chinese copies of just about everything and some of it not good quality, but equally I think there is some high quality Chinese made equipment which can be had for a very competitive price.
  • 30 Mar 2013 15:55
    Quote
    Reply # 1255030 on 1230219
    Deleted user
    Didn't David Tyler warn us off Chinese solar panels? Perhaps their wind gens are better. Do you know www.alibaba.com - search for alternative energy generators. By all means start a new thread, unless we have one already.
    Last modified: 30 Mar 2013 16:01 | Deleted user
  • 30 Mar 2013 04:51
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    Reply # 1254877 on 1230219
    Deleted user

    I think that despite the difficulty of threading the cable the polyester will have a significantly longer lifespan than the polyprop braid of which I may only get a couple of years.

    I am now onto wind generators which could be a whole new forum thread. Have looked at what is available in NZ and am about to transfer some money through to China to buy direct from there. I have found a unit at a very reasonable price that has a small blade diameter and will provide power output similar to an 80 watt solar panel but will cover off the days when there is little sun but a decent breeze. So Footprints will have a potential of 190 watts solar charging and 80 watts of wind generator. This coupled with LED lights and other minimal power consumption should provide our electrical needs most of the time.
  • 29 Mar 2013 20:09
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    Reply # 1254713 on 1230219
    Anonymous member
    Hello Transmitters,

    We have the wire, 4mm^2, running inside polyester hollow braid. Rope-eyes at the ends, no problem. Thanks for the idea of letting the cable 'float' inside the rope, David. I think that will gradually even out the strain on the cable.

    I'm going to position the bottom quite close to the timber mast, because the burgee halyard that used to be there never caused a problem with the sail. Farther outboard in the chimney, where I've tried the burgee halyard before, snags did occur with the batten-ends and reefed yard.

    So we're almost ready to hoist. Ski tow rope would have been easier, both to feed the wire into, and to penetrate the sides of for splices and wire exit. It would probably dry faster too, so as not to soak the cable insulation.

    Many thanks for ideas!

    Cheers,
    Kurt

  • 18 Mar 2013 04:45
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    Reply # 1245130 on 1244351
    Deleted user
    Daniel Collins wrote:David:

    That's exactly what I'm thinking of, right there.  I'd put it on a running halyard so I could slack it if I wanted the main to go forward of beam to starboard, and could haul it in otherwise.  

    You said ski line?  As in single-braid polypro, right?

    Yes, I think it is fairly universally known as ski tow rope. you can usually purchase it as redi to go ski tow packs with the handle etc attached but I found a source where I could buy by the metre. It is single braid polyprop. I got the 8mm diameter which allowed me to easily work the 4mm square cable up the centre. I first of all spliced a loop in each end, which is basically done by feeding the standing end of the braid through the side and working it up through the centre of the braid for about 200mm. I then fed the cable in through the side of the braid about 400mm above the bottom end, to the centre and then patiently worked it along the length of the braid stopping about half a metre short of the top. I put a whipping around the rope at the point where the cable entered and where it terminated at the top. I would not put the whipping at the top again because as soon as the braid is stretched it locks up pretty tight on the cable so there is no fear of the cable coming out.
  • 16 Mar 2013 22:48
    Quote
    Reply # 1244419 on 1230219
    Deleted user
    Hey Dan...that's why I said to make sure the sail is up!  It would only be in use when you are sailing or at anchor and no wind.  When reefed, I'd use the flag halyard to haul a random wire up..... 
  • 16 Mar 2013 19:57
    Quote
    Reply # 1244351 on 1230219
    Deleted user
    David:

    That's exactly what I'm thinking of, right there.  I'd put it on a running halyard so I could slack it if I wanted the main to go forward of beam to starboard, and could haul it in otherwise.  

    You said ski line?  As in single-braid polypro, right?

    John:

    Another very good idea.  An inverted vee would get me some good length.  However I think in my case it would lead to even more tending than the single halyard to starboard, so I'll stick with that, since I can get a 37 foot antenna there no problem.

    Neil:

    The loop-ish antenna round the sail isn't a bad idea, but I shudder to think what it would do when reefed. Those uncontrolled loops so close together would possibly become resonant and wreak havoc on your system.... be careful with that plan!  I'd be more in favor of the topping lifts, honestly.  Pushpit verticals are a good plan B if the cheaper options don't prove to work long-term.
  • 14 Mar 2013 02:31
    Quote
    Reply # 1242231 on 1230219
    Deleted user
    There are many HF verticals for purchase or as a DIY that could be mounted off the pushpit.  Hams have been using small HF verticals on their cars for decades and work stations all over the world.  Verticals work very well on boats.  Random wire antennas work well too.  It doesn't have to be straight, in fact it can be a loop. 
    A wire taped or sewn into the head, leach and foot, terminating near the mast would make an interesting random wire antenna.  You could have the feed-thru near the base of the mast and when you wanted to use the antenna just make the connection using enough slack and bungies to allow for tacking and make sure the sail is up!  .....damn,  I'm gonna have to give this one a try! 
    Do you know any hams in your area?  Some of them are really into building antennas and I'm sure would be more then glad to help you. 
    Just food for thought.....
    Last modified: 14 Mar 2013 03:04 | Deleted user
  • 13 Mar 2013 23:20
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    Reply # 1242092 on 1230219
    Deleted user
    Hey again, Daniel! 

    Perhaps this will work for you:  we have a Triassic stay between the masts and the HF antenna is an inverted V suspended on a small block running on this stay.  We can adjust is fore and aft to ensure the "V" does not hit the sails.  On my profile I posted two pictures looking up for the deck.

    Ciao
    J
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