Thanks to everyone. I am well on my way now. I will bring the unit home on the weekend and set it up and have a play. Last question for now. With the earth for a home set up, is this just a wire out the window and connected to a copper rod driven in the ground? There will bound to be some more questions after I've had some time to play.
I'll post a photo of the boat for you Ridgescan.
Thanks again all I'll let you know how I get on.
Cheers
Bruce
ok Bruce-the photo will help with antenna placement ideas (ahem! #mods)
far as the ground, if you can find entry to dwelling that is close to a cold water pipe just outside, or electrical service ground or conduit near earth you can connect to these, provided the path from coax braid to ground point is short (10' or less)
I mention a ground only for RF, as it makes the signal/noise ratio quieter allowing for better reception, especially with a rig like the r75.
The antenna wire on an endfed setup like I suggested needs something to work against (ie. the wire is one half of the antenna, the ground is the other). This is what I run here so only offering something from my own experience, and works very well here within my high RFI environment.
You can first try just hanging a random wire out the window-maybe you live in a low-noise area and that may suffice. Try trsundstrum's suggestion first-if too much noise, go to my idea.