[Elecraft] K3 0n motorboat

[Frank C Richards]

I used the wrong terminology when I was speaking about antenna system
grounding on a boat. What I actually meant was a counterpoise system.
I agree that a vertical dipole works well but would be difficult to install
permanently
on a small boat. A vertical is most often used with a tuner. There are
standard mounts
and they are pretty easy to install and are sturdy and well suited for
marine use.
I also agree that all structures should be bonded to the counterpoise
system.
Some of the boat builders(Hatteras ,Bertram .etc) would put copper screen
into
the fiberglass layups of the flying bridge decks and roofs with a stud
connected
to it so that it could be tied into the system.
On commercial trawlers the antenna would be mounted on the mast about 30 or
35 ft above the water.It was fed with a wire about 25 or 30 ft long so it
was
actually a 55 or 60 ft end-fed.
With the outriggers lowered and acting as radials, the trawl doors and
cables in the
water and everything else bonded together, it is a pretty good counterpoise
system.

 73, Frank KB4VU