Antenna for houseboat

[banihex]

Hi Everyone!

I am sort of new to the hobby though I got my technicians license a few years ago. I mostly used an HT for 2meter when I am visiting family to talk to my brother, or when we are on the road.

I live in the Netherlands now since 2009, and recently moved to a houseboat in Rotterdam, and I want to be able to reach my brother from my boat! I will be upgrading my license so I am CEPT reciprocal.

My question is:

My brother told me about a wire antenna, is it possible to use one to be able to reach from Rotterdam, Netherlands to Tampa, Florida?
Are wire antennas safe in terms of fire? I live in an iron boat from 1909 and obviously cannot run the risk of fire!
How much power do they draw?


I think I can run the wire the roof of the boat. Or, if possible, I have seen a picture of this boat with a long wooden pole about 12feet (almost 4m) tall that had the typical lights running from the front of the boat to the top of the pole all the way to the back. I think I have seen some antennas with that design.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and help a newbie like me out! I tried to include picture but can't find an attach image option, instead of image url.

cheers,
John - KJ4KPW



(I could not find ANY information that would clearly help my situation here or on Google, if this has been similarly already asked I apologize!)

[5B4AJB]

Working that distance on 2m is going to be very difficult - unless you use an internet backbone such as EchoLink.
If you HT has CTCSS and DTMF on it, you'll be able to access an internet linked repeater with a modest antenna.
Provided your brother is either connected to the internet, or within range of such a repeater (with similar gear), you'll be able to make contact.

The wire antenna you describe is for H.F. (I suspect your boat is about 60' long) Such a wire would work well on a particular band, given a particular height above the metal of the boat. Do a search for dipole antennas, they are very easy to build. Build one to fit your space and try the frequency it resonates at (probably 20m).

OK - there are alternatives, vertical H.F. antennas have their place, being a bit more discreet and in some cases, more efficient.
Maybe a 40m "vertical" would fit (laying horizontally of course).

[banihex]

Demetrius,

Thanks for replying! I have only been using my ht 202 2 meter, but also recently got a Icom IC-t90A and am still trying to figure it all out!

Yes, I actually meant for HF, forgot to write that. After speaking with him more, I don't think this will work out like I had hoped. As he would also need to upgrade and buy a new radio, and it may be over our heads for $ and time.

BUT! I may pursue this wire antenna idea for myself since I may be getting into HF, and would definitely do it now with my SWR.

What I am worried about is, is safety. I am having a hard time finding information in simpler terms in regards to these types of antennas and safety.
Will the wire become hot? Could someone get shocked touching it? Could it short out the electronics in my boat? Could it arc with something?

Thanks, I don't have a lot of electronics background (I am a musician!) and am having a hard time with this! Cheers,

John
KJ4KPW

[5B4AJB]

Will the wire become hot?

No, not normally, unless you are planning on putting hundred of Watts into it.

Could someone get shocked touching it?

By shocked you mean an RF burn? possibly! RF burns are not pleasant, but not really dangerous, like mains shocks.

Could it short out the electronics in my boat?

The worst case scenario is having your voice coming over your HiFi (or your neighbours) when you transmit, easy to remedy with ferrite rings, usually.

Could it arc with something?

Touching a passing tree whilst transmitting wouldn't do too much harm

The most dangerous thing that could happen is if it were to touch a pylon cable etc, but that's quite unlikely...