Radio or Internet at sea

[silverlining37]

Just discovered you all. We just got a 37 ketch, and were wondering how to rig a SW radio antenna, and is there an affordable way to get the Internet? I'm a news/talk junkie.

[oceanscapt]

I'm a ham and didn't want to cut the backstay. I ended up running a piece of #10 wire up a messenger block to the lower stay. The vertical length was about 20' but the overall length of the antenna was close to 30'. I connected my SONY SW radio antenna connection to it and got very good reception. I could pick up shortwave broadcasts, weather, local and distant AM/FM signals and the like. I don't know how much news/talk there is on SW as I'm more interested in music, local news, and some public events.

As for the internet, you're going to need an HF SSB transceiver (transmitter/receiver), interface, and antenna for basic operation. Costs vary but $2-3000 isn't unrealistic. Many of the HF SSB internet connections don't allow attachments and I don't think streaming is an option.

If you're close to shore then wifi sniffers/amplifiers are an option. If you can find an open wifi port you can generally connect. Many places offer wifi, at a price, to cruisers. The speed is generally higher and you may or may not be able to connect from your boat. You can get all the news/talk you want with that kind of connection, provided the speed's high enough.

[silverlining37]

Thank you for the reply, Captain. I know SSBs are pricey, and understand they also require knowledge, maybe training and practice. We are in Punta Gorda, FL, and won't be going furhther than the Keys at this point.

I do have WiFi at home, and most of favorite stations mention they broadcast over SW.

I noticed USCG in your profile. Are there concerns over piracy in the Florida waters? We bought a Soverel 37 "fixer-upper", and after we get her looking real slick, will we attract the bad guys? It's been years since I've been well off shore, and that was in the good ole days.

Sounds like I'm in the "Introduce yourself" window, but was unable to open a space there. I'm new to chats, forums and sailing. Always been a motor boater, but my BF is an experienced sailboater and former licensed captain.

Thanks again for your info.

Nick and Natalie

[steel]

You can put up an inverted V antenna on the mast, with insulated wire running next to the forestay and backstay! Or use put guy wire insulators on each end of the backstay and forestay and use those as the antennas. You put your coax feed line up the mast and then hook the core/shield stays at the top. A 40m band inverted V roughly a little over 20 meters of wire total.

I don't know about how the Internet at sea works yet. You can get a directional antenna for your wifi and boost the range 10x wherever its pointed.

Is there some kind of SSB digital HF mode that lets you send and receive email while far out at sea?

With VHF digital ham radio you could do minimal networking (like 4800 or 9600bps) out maybe 50 miles away from the other end.

[sck5]

most people use a backstay as an antenna.

[Vasco]

If you just want to listen get a little Sony ICF-SW7600GR for about $150. Good SSB and SW reception. No external antenna needed.