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HF Radio E-mail Installation “ How To Do It On A Small Boat”. by Vic Poor, W5SMM. The Basic System. Engine. Everything else. Best Marine Radios for E-Mail. ICOM IC-M710 - Excellent, Reasonable Cost (get opened up.)
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HF Radio E-mail Installation “How To Do It On A Small Boat” by Vic Poor, W5SMM
The Basic System Engine Everything else
Best Marine Radios for E-Mail • ICOM IC-M710 - Excellent, Reasonable Cost (get opened up.) • ICOM IC-802 – Excellent, best radio for Maritime digital/SSB operations. • SG-2000 - Not so Good, Reasonable Cost
Amateur HF Radios for E-Mail • Many High Quality Ham Radios to Pick From: • Kenwood TS-870 AT, Very High Quality, Moderately Expensive, Normal size, no additional Filters required. Best in its class! • ICOM 746, Smaller, More Economical, FL-100, 500 Hz filter Recommended. Covers VHF/UHF. • ICOM IC-706MKII,Excellent, very small with Remote head. (Watch out for the new “G” version. First models need modification from factory for email.)
Data Controllers (TNCs) • SCS PTC-II for Pactor I, Pactor II, & III • SCS PTC-IIe or ex (less expensive, no direct radio control. Must use additional comport to control radio.) • SCS PTC II Pro(less comport will handle modem and radio functions.) Details of each modem may be found on http://www.scs-ptc.com .
External Antenna Couplers-Increasesoutput,decreases RF and grounding problems - • Internal “auto-tuners” may be inadequate. • Don’t Assume the Coupler Recommended by the Radio Manufacturer is Best. • Consider a High Power Manual Coupler if You Have the Skill and Patience to Use It. • SGC makes the Best Automatic Couplers Tested. • Power Losses in a Poor Coupler Can Be High. • Antenna matching is a critical element for successful operations.
The HF Antenna • Make it long! • Forget about loaded whips • Keep it in the clear • Insulated backstay ideal • Don’t use a wire topping lift • Use insulators • Couple to it properly with minimum SWR. • Ketch rigs are hard to do
Radio Ground • You need a really good ground • There is no such thing as ground on a non-metal boat • Ground the tuner at it’s base • Use the long wire ground (counterpoise) • Use the engine block • Use a screen
RFI Problems • Ground the tuner well. • Use connected copper screen under shelves and tables holding radio, controller, computer. • Connect equipment directly to the screen. • Use shielded wire and keep interconnections short • Use a “line isolater - Radio Works model T-4 (ungrounded), about $30 from Radio Works, http://www.radioworks.com • Use clip-on Ferrites • Radio shack (fair) • Fair-Rite, part number for type-43 material: P/N 04-43-164-251 and available from Newark Electronics(Better) • Fair-Rite, part number for type-31 by Amidon from Farallon, gofarallon@aol.com (best)
Places to look for further Information • “Pactor Primer” & “RF Interference” (http://www.airmail2000.com/docs.htm) • Radio Works Catalog (http://www.radioworks.com/) Questions?