Hello Dashews: We have a Cal 2-46 and I am struggling with how to build a substantial grounding plane for the SSB–the previous owner did not have an adequate installation. Could you give us some suggestions? So far, we understand that the sintered bronze plates are not adequate. One person suggested that we cover the entire rudder in copper plate, two have suggested that we epoxy copper screen into wherever we can in the bilge (which would be a lot of relatively small pieces), someone suggested multiple copper strips running lengthwise in the bilge and Ed at American Marine Coatings in Seattle says he can mix up a batch of his product with sufficient copper in it to make it conductive so it will work if painted into bilge spaces and connected up. What to you think? Thank you very much. Jim and Leslee
Hi Guys: This is a tough problem after the fact. First issue: You want to have your ground plane located as close to the antenna coupler as possible–hopefully the coupler will be right in the middle. Once you get a quarter wavelength or so away from the coupler the ground plane becomes useless. Assuming the coupler is aft, this leaves the lazarette and stern area. I would tie the stern hardware (cleats, pushpit, tracks) to the ground plane with foil, and then if you are serious, glass in some copper screening into the hull bottom (on the inside of the lazz) and tie that to everything else. Alternately, use a balanced antenna (like a half-wave dipole) which does not require a ground plane. This will be far more effective than any long wire (backstay) or whip–up to eight times more powerful in listening and sending. Good Luck!
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
