Charlie and Doug--
Thanks...I had wondered about a whip but didn't think there would be enough
vertical space back there to provide sufficient support. How high above the
base would a second support be needed?

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
The grounded shroud will definately couple with the antenna so that's
not a good approach. I use a 23' Shakespere whip with great results.
I've also rigged a separate antenna from the masthead down to the
radar arch. I used 3/16" SS rigging wire with insulators top
and bottom (just like an insulated backstay). At the bottom I placed
a SS spring so that mast pumping would not break the antenna.
Worked great!

Doug
s/v Callista

"Garland Gray II" wrote in message
news:FuM9c.17580$Ft.5252@lakeread02...
They say there is no such thing as a stupid question, but I'm going to
put
that theory to a real test.
I have removed a shroud from my catamaran to install insulators so it
can
be
used as the SSB antenna. Since there is no backstay as such, a main
shroud
will have to do. However, I now find that the sparmaker who rigged the
boat
is somewhat leery of my installing two more potential failure points in
a
so
highly loaded and critical support (of course, all are critical). He
suggests using one of the lowers, but these just won't be very long.
In the end I expect I'll continue with the original plan to insulate a
main
shroud, but a thought came to me. The shrouds are inside a thick walled
plastic tube (which I had planned on removing), so I've wondered if
rather
than using insulators I retain the plastic tube and secure a wire...or 2
or
3... along the length of the plastic tube as the antenna? I suppose the
presence of the grounded wire inside would interfere with the signal,
maybe
not. Would it work?

You will need as much separation as possible...3' is the minimum, 5' to 6'
would be much better. You may have to be creative on the placement of the
upper support with a standoff from the radar arch, off the hand rail, etc.
but you should be able to work it out. I have found room on two 36'
Endeavour Cats; one power one sail.
Good luck-
Charlie