[Elecraft] Insulated Backstay

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

If you've got a ground to the seawater, end-feeding anything up to about 5/8
wavelengths at the operating frequency works FB. Assuming you have an
aluminum mast, you'll have significant directivity on the higher bands where
the mast will act as a reflector. 

It'll work where the antenna is longer than 5/8 wave, but you'll start
getting significant high-angle radiation. 

You can also string a simple center-fed half-wave antenna if you want and
have the height. Run the feeder over to the mast and anchor it there if you
can avoid interfering with the sail operations. Then run it down the mast to
the rig. 

My experience is with larger vessels. From what I hear about recreational
sailboats is that you'd better have everything you need, right down to the
coax connectors and insulators on hand before you buy the sailboat. That's
because sailboats have a reputation of absorbing every dime in your bank
account right down to the minimum needed for franks and beans to eat three
times a day...and some sailboat owners I've met don't even eat beans
regularly <G>.

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
I'm this >||< close to buying a cruising sailboat (a Westsail 32) and can't
seem to find any info/detail on the recommended length for an HF (insulated)
backstay antenna.

I thought I'd rememberd this topic being discussed in the maillist before
but I've searched the archives and nothing pops up.

Since I know nothing about them I thought I'd ask if anyone has any
experience/advice/tips/suggestions/pointers/websites concerning insulated
backstay antennas?

Thanks,
Mike K5PU