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Wayne.B Wayne.B is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,492
Default Ham radio backstay antenna feed line

On 25 Mar 2007 10:06:08 -0700, "thuss" wrote:

"from the output terminal of the tuner/coupler you want insulated VERY
high voltage antenna wire (usually about 14 or 16 gauge) led to a
point on your backstay just above the insulator ... You CANNOT use
coax for this part of your antenna lead."


Lets just say that you should not use coax for the antennal lead since
the lead becomes part of the antenna and you want it to radiate. It
does need to be insulated however to prevent RF burns to those in the
cockpit. There is special wire made for that purpose which you should
be able to get at your local marine electronics dealer, but in a pinch
you could take some large coax cable like RG-8 or RG-11, strip off the
outer insulating jacket and coper braid, leaving only the insulated
center conductor.