What is this Electronics Box?

[Bob Quinn]

This is in my upper helm, I thought it was old and dead, but maybe not?
It looks like it has something to do with antennas.... Could my VHF radio antennas be running through this?
I was about to tear it out then said whoooaaaa, not so fast, better check.

Can anyone explain what this is? Thank you!

 

[SeaEric]

From an old single sideband radio. http://www.seacomcorp.com/marine/ssb.htm

 

[zigzag930]

My guess, it's a antenna tuner similar to Icom's AT-130/140 for the Sea SSB radio

 

[Captain Ralph]

An ole SEA SSB antenna tuner.
SEA equipment was and is still pretty good equipment.

It may have a heavy B+ lead still to it So be careful when cutting it out.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Yup. Removed the same ssb box from the "new" 45 last year, along with several sizeable cables.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Thank you everyone. Could my existing antenna still run through that box, or would it have been hooked to a different antenna?

 

[Captain Ralph]

Thank you everyone. Could my existing antenna still run through that box, or would it have been hooked to a different antenna?

Different from a SSB radio that that box goes to, it is easy to find a SSB antenna;
Any real tall antennas with a side tap connection and not coax to it?
Usually a #6 or #8 single strap leaves this box directly to the antenna base, not coax.

 

[Boatsb]

Nobody uses SSB unless forced to these days. It's not for standard VHF. I've not installed one in 10 years. Satellite phones seem to have taken over the market.

Except for those who are too cheap to pay for airtime they still use SSB and even use it for data on side bands. I believe they get almost a whole kb upload speed too.

 

[rwaldrop13]

Had exact same one in upper helm on Pau Hana. Of course, post-Ian it's now somewhere in the Caloosahatchee river pending salvage.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Thanks everyone. Old box removed.
Also when it was installed, they used a piece of wood screwed down to the deck, the wood was rotten, and this may have been adding to my leak. I cleaned up the area, removed about 8 other abandoned screws in the deck and sealed it all up with liquid silicone spray.

I don't know if this will fix my leak but fingers crossed.

 

[rwaldrop13]

Thanks everyone. Old box removed.
Also when it was installed, they used a piece of wood screwed down to the deck, the wood was rotten, and this may have been adding to my leak. I cleaned up the area, removed about 8 other abandoned screws in the deck and sealed it all up with liquid silicone spray.

I don't know if this will fix my leak but fingers crossed.

When I was chasing leaks in my upper helm, I found almost same issue where the SSB box was mounted. I also found that where the salon light wires went from into the salon overhead from the upper helm was not sealed, and water was running into the overhead along the wiring.

 

[Bob Quinn]

When I was chasing leaks in my upper helm, I found almost same issue where the SSB box was mounted. I also found that where the salon light wires went from into the salon overhead from the upper helm was not sealed, and water was running into the overhead along the wiring.

Yes, screwing things through the deck plate seems to be a bad thing. Great when it's new and sealed but not good for long term.

I've been telling myself if I need to mount anything to try to use epoxy only if possible!

 

[Doug.T]

My guess, it's a antenna tuner similar to Icom's AT-130/140 for the Sea SSB radio

I agree. It's an automatic Antenna Tuner for HF frequencies.

Doug
N2RDF

 

[Fanfare]

The insides look perfect. These automatic antenna tuners are expensive--or at least they were. I would put it up on ebay and give someone who needs one a chance.

 

[Bob Quinn]

The insides look perfect. These automatic antenna tuners are expensive--or at least they were. I would put it up on ebay and give someone who needs one a chance.

Good idea, I didn't think anyone used these any more, so I chucked it!
Should have thought about that I guess.