SSB HF transmission shock

[Phil23]

So years ago when sailing we had to have 2 ceramic insulators on the back stay to eliminate getting a burn/shock from grabbing stay.


I have just installed a Kenwood transceiver in my trawler/launch the radio is in the saloon, the SGR Controller in an adjacent locker and the single wire to the whip antenna runs internally up to the wheelhose and antenna. There is no ceramic insulator in the line apart from the ceramic connection on the controller, have I built myself a problem??

 

[fgarriso]

YES!

you have to have an insulator at both ends of the wire.

 

[High Wire]

Yes. Why not use a 23 ft fiberglass marine HF/SSB antenna?

 

[CharlieJ]

The two ceramic isolators on the backstay of your sailboat created an antenna between them that was insulated from the mast and other components. The feedline from the tuner was attached to the base of this backstay antenna.

It sounds like on your power boat the feedline from the ceramic insulator on the tuner is led to the base of a whip antenna. If this is the case than no further insulators are required. Note, however, that the feed line will act like an antenna and should be kept as short as possible.