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Installing a ham/SSB radio

by Lawrence Russell
6/14/2006

I have wanted to mount my Ham Radio on my Catalina 36 for some time but was at a loss as to how to accomplish all the steps I needed. I had uncovered bits and pieces from various publications, tried to get someone to do it, and then just went ahead on my own. I was surprised at how easy it turned out to be, at least on my 1988 Catalina 36.

My Ham equipment consisted of:

- ICOM 706MKIIG Ham Radio with OPC-581 Separation Cable for Front Panel

- ICOM AH4 Tuner

My Catalina 36 is of 1988 vintage, Hull 784. I wanted to install my radio in the nav station area. Insulators were added to my backstay by a professional rigger. The bottom insulator is about 8 feet above the helm seat. I installed my AH4 tuner in the lazarette, to the starboard side.

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I glued (3M4200) a 6" wide by 10" long piece of wood on the transom, about 6" in from the backstay chain plate. I mounted the AH4 to this board with AH4 antenna connector to inboard side and AH4 radio cable connectors to outboard side

I ran GTO15 tinned conductor wire (West Marine $14.95 for 25 feet) from the AH4antenna connector, thru the transom (about level with antenna connector) up the backstay and used cable ties to hold it securely to the backstay, to the area just above the insulator.

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I created an upside-down loop of the GTO15, stripped back about 4" of insulation, doubled the exposed wire conductors over on itself and used two cable clamps to join the conductor to the backstay. I then used rigging tape to seal off this whole connection and the U loop above it. I wrapped the upper part tightly, and left the bottom part open so as to let moisture dry out from the connection.

The next job is to run the three cables from the AH4 to the 706 base unit. Imagine my surprise of how easy this was. I had visions of cutting bulkheads, etc. There exists a cable trough that runs along the hull/deck joint area that allows an unobstructed run from the rear lazarette to the nav station area.

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I mounted the radio, connectors up, below the electrical panel, to the wooden bulkhead aft of the nav station. The cables from the trough drop down and are connected to the base unit.

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I mounted the faceplate above the electrical panel and connected to the base unit with the "Separation Cable". An RF ground from the tuner is necessary to complete the antenna installation. I did not have any existing foil in place, so I ran 3" wide 3 mil copper strip (West Marine- 25 feet-$43 approx) from the tuner RF ground connector to one of the keel bolts. The run is pretty easy, no cutting. The foil goes down to where the engine control cables pass under the aft berth area, and then is run via a slot to the starboard side of the engine housing, through to the under sink area, and then through to the keel bolt area. The threads on the forward, port keel bolt were wire brushed clean. I used two 3/4" x 11 stainless steel nuts, washers, and lock washer to connect the foil to the keel bolt. Excess foil was run up under the dinette area. To run the foil I used a coat-hanger, straightened out, to lead a string line from the tuner area to the keel area, attached the line to the foil and pulled the foil through from the lazarette area.

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Notes:

1. To access the area where I could lead the foil through I had to remove the bottom middle board in my lazarette. For me this necessitated, because a drain hose went through it, removing the hose from the fitting in the hull. I then notched the board so that hose would not in the future restrict me from getting into that area quickly.

2. Those wishing to enable "SSB only" or "Ham and SSB" usually use different radios. Installation will be the same. I went a different route. The 706 can be broadbanded to allow SSB transmission. Only problem is that the FCC, to my knowledge, does not consider this a typed SSB radio. Dealers are hesitant in making the mods (simple diode removal, google Icom706mkIIg and you will find the instructions). But since I was only planning to transmit on SSB after I left US waters (I sail out of San Diego), the dealer agreed to do the mods. I had the dealer remove a surface mounted diode.

For a Ham/SSB FCC typed radio, the ICOM802 is a favorite, but very pricey to me, when compared to the 706mkIIg.