Short Wave radios

[cburger]

My boat came with a short wave rado when I purchased her. I am wondering if there is still a place for short wave aboard modern boats?

[Vasco]

Certainly is. Once you're out of vhf range it's your best bet for weather.

[cburger]

If I already have SSB on board isn't the short wave redundant?

[SV Someday Came]

where is your mast???? No internet disrespect intended, but it is gonna be hard to have a good antenna for your radio without a mast.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by MV

where is your mast???? No internet disrespect intended, but it is gonna be hard to have a good antenna for your radio without a mast.

Not really, many vessels use a mounted whip antenna.

[SV Someday Came]

Originally Posted by Chuck Baier

Not really, many vessels use a mounted whip antenna.

I know, I know. It was the shock of the photo that prompted the impulsive post. Sorry.

[Jim Cate]

Hey guys, why not try and answer this blokes query?

cburger -- reading between the lines, I gurss that if you also have a separate SSB rig that the "short wave radio" you are asking about is a receiver, not a transceiver. And I would say that if you anticipate offshore/foreign cruising that you might well want to listen to the rich variety of programming available on the short wave bands. In the SouthPacific (our cruising grounds) both NZ and Aussie have national non-commercial shortwave broadcasts of local and world news, as well as general interest shows. They also have broadcasts relating to news and life in the various island groups, and we find that listening to the latter are a wonderful way to learn about the places we visit. Many island nations have local AMand FM broadcasts,but they are often not in English,and if you have ever tried to understand news spewed out in Bislama or Solomon Is. pigin, you will understand the importance of this!!
The shortwave set also gives you a backup for weather broadcasts should your main SSB crap out.
For an antenna, it may have an inbuilt whip,or you can use a random length of any old wire that you have lying about, even below decks if your hull isn't metal.
Finally, it probably draws less power than your SSB when you are listening to the 5 day cricket matches...

So,I say keep it on board and enjoy...

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone, Qld Oz

[cburger]

I had a good laugh regarding the picture of our boat with no mast. I am currently finishing up a long recommissioning and as such the mast is off the boat. Jim thanks for the answer, makes sense. The short wave radio that came with the boat has a whip antenna but as typical the reception with the small antenna is marginal. The radio has the capacity to attach an external antenna. I am wondering would it be feasable to work the short wave off the insulated backstay that is in place for the ssb in order to increase reception? Additionally I have heard a lot of sailors speak negatively about the structual integrity of insulated backstay antennas.
Considering that our boat is already setup this way and so many vessels utilize this system is it really an issue to be conserned with?

[Hal]

cburger

receive antennas can be almost anything and are not as touchy as transmitting antennas. The insulated backstay would work. Give it a try. If you don't like it, try something else. The longer the better for a receive only antenna.