SSB RF Ground

[CampDavid]

I don’t want to start a long thread on The merits of this versus that. Just attempting to gauge the outcome of my alternatives.

So on a scale of 1 lowest and 10 highest how would the following be rated for performance as a RF Ground and or counter poise for an Icom M802 and AT-140 tuner installed in a sailboat with 43 ft backstay antenna

4” Copper strip from tuner to a thru hull. Distance less than 24”

20 sq ft of copper foil bonded to the hull attached to tuner with a 3” copper strip

4” copper strip attached to two 12”/3”/1-2” Dynaplates.

Kiss ground attached to tuner

Hoping to not get into a big discussion only rating the performances of these installs

[Frankly]

I vote for the copper strip to the thru hull (0 to 10 say 7 or 8)

[rbk]

After ripping and vaccuming out a mile of foil and scraping glue, I went for a dynaplate and short run of foil and easy to replace. On that note I found another large pocket of corroded foil leavings this weekend. It gets everywhere and will make its way to the bilge and clog the pump.

[CampDavid]

Performance better with Dynaplate?

[rbk]

I’m no expert by any means (barely an amateur) , but I get decent reception from my harbor in the bottom of a 6000ft fjord with 150-200 miles of some of the largest mountings in North America blocking the way. I think the foil would/could be better but it’s also pretty easy to bolt a plate on and connect it, although some have good results with a thru hull as well.

[Jim Cate]

this subject has been hashed out so very many times... if you will look at some of KA4WJA's posts (stickies), a definitive answer from an expert is there.

Jim

[CampDavid]

Agreed. kA4WJA gives a great sense of what is required for the best possible install however I am attempting to garner an understanding of the real performance possible based on my alternatives

I am prepared to give a little in an effort to ease the installation however not to lose too much output

[Brian.D]

Try them all and see for yourself what works. Something might work on someone else's boat but might not work for you.

First thing to try is to take your copper strap and put it overboard about 6" in the water (reference Gordon West paper on saltwater ground - https://www.sfbaysss.org/resource/do...GordonWest.pdf). You may have already read this but he has some good info just in case you have not.

Next, try the KISS. But don't buy one. KA4WJA shows the difference between the commercial version and one he built. I use a DIY version here at home and it works great. https://briandphoto.net/KISS-SSB.html

Best to try for yourself and find which one, or a combination, will work for you.

[SoonerSailor]

You will not find a “definitive” answer. Many solutions will “work” and even the worst of them sometimes give you a fantastic long distance report which will prove through the science of anecdote that here is the best solution. You will certainly do well by running thick copper strap or a fat cable to something in contact with sea water.

[zboss]

You left one off... our Frigoboat Keel cooler does double duty as a counterpoise. It's basically a dynaplate.

[toddster8]

Your handle suggests a freshwater environment. So if my current delusions are in synch with reality, the square of foil and the KISS will work better than the through-hull or the dyna plate.

Of course, if your boat is in sea water... never mind.

[a64pilot]

I think all things being equal the Dynaplate will outperform a thru hull.
However probably not by much and it’s not likely worth buying a Dynaplate and hauling the boat etc go install. Probably not enough difference to be critical.
I note that unless I’m mistaken that KA4WJA has dual small Dynaplates.