I plan to install my ham/ssb radio aboard my Monk 36 trawler and am having
difficulty determining what type and size antenna I should use. I'd like to
be able to tune marine bands as well as the ham bands.
I did a trawler web search without much satisfaction, although I found a
couple of good listings for grounding the radio. I see that several supply
houses sell 21-23ft antennas, but have also heard that an 8 ft antenna with
automatic tuner near the base can also work. I also not sure if I should
install the antenna off the flying bridge or the railing on the cabin top.
On my sailboat I simply insulated the backstay and installed an automatic
tuner. I would appreciate any and all suggestions from those that have
solved this problem.  Thanks, Jim Raffini KB9ZG, m/v OCTOBER

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Jim - I have used a 23 ft. whip on my boat for several years with great
sucess on all freq's. I am using an Icom 725 with its matching antenna tuner
and the radio has had a "diodecomy" and now tunes ALL freq's ham and
commercial. On the ham bands I have worked the South Pacific to cruising
folks and many other "DX" contacts with great reports. On the commercial
freq's I have only been interested in the Arctic and Southern Calif. while
cruising the Pacific North-West but had great rersults. The grounding system
is just the keel coolers and prop via a capactor to keep DC out of things.
All in all I have been amazed at its performance but I don't think for a
minuite that an 8 ft whip will work anywhere near as well after trying to
operate from a "land" mobile and the normal whips, with and without the
tuner.
To keep the overall height down on Penta I have mounted the whip base on the
deck and braced it to the fly bridge rail with a stand off bracket for
rigidity.
"Try IT You Will Like It " !!

Good Luck

John Tones  VE7PF  MV Penta
Sidney, BC