SSB Antenna, I want to insulate the arch

[kevins]

I installed an insulator near the top of the mast on the backstay. I only put one insulator in. (I have the other one but chose to only install one at this time).

The backstay runs real close the arch as it comes down to the chain plate. It also runs real close to the stainless steel life lines as well. Instead of putting in the other insulator, (I understand the rf burn risk, I am will to accept that risk) can I insulate the arch and the life lines instead, in order to prevent the static or noise that these items might produce?

Has anyone ever tried to insulate a small section of their arch or life line?
I imagine I would use the same insulation that the antenna wire comes in. Where I can buy about 2 feet of that stuff?

Has any one tried this?

Of course I can put in the other insulator, cut the backstay, run a cable down, put a hole in the boat, run the cable through....gosh, I just think it would be easier to insulate the other metal around the antenna
Thanks,
Kevin

[SoonerSailor]

If the backstay doesn't make contact with the arch or lifelines, or with ground, you should be just fine. You don't need to do anything special to the arch or lifelines.

If you are worried about intermittent contact of the backstay with these other structures, then yes you should make some effort to put an insulator in place. Something non-permeable like PVC or polyethylene should do the trick.

[kevins]

Actually I have not hooked up the last wire...That high RF wire from the backstay to the antenna tuner yet. So maybe there will be no problem. I was just told that if it is within a few inches you could get some noise.
I just need to hook up that wire and see what the heck happens

[S/V Illusion]

There are a number of sources for noise but that isn't one of them. Any capacitive coupling would not normally be a problem even at the high voltage portion of the antenna as long as you have a small gap.

[Paul Elliott]

I agree, if there is no actual contact there will be no problem, specially since the arch and lifelines are presumably at right angles to the backstay. If there was a very close parallel run of more than a foot or so you might have an issue. By "very close", I mean within a half inch.

[kevins]

No neither is touching and they are at right angles to each other. I probably have 2 inches from the life line and 3 inches from the solar panels. From there it connects to the chain plate...then I go under the deck and have to run my 1 foot wire from the chain plate to the antenna tuner. I have the wire...just have to do it.
Thanks for the help.

anyone need a insulator for a 3/8 backstay?

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by kevins

From there it connects to the chain plate...then I go under the deck and have to run my 1 foot wire from the chain plate to the antenna tuner.

This is a fiberglass boat, correct? If the chainplate fasteners go through a wooden core, you will probably want to dig out the wood around the bolts and fill the void with glass/resin mash.

Of course that should have been done regardless (if the hull is cored), to keep the water out of the core, and to keep the bolts from crushing the core.

[Amnesia II]

I prefered not to mess with the standing rigging at all and installed a Shakespeare HF whip antenna. Why? Maintain integrity of rig and alot cheaper ( no rigger involved), also heaven forbid if I ever loose the rig I may very well still have the antenna!