Deckhead BNC plugs

EASLOOP

EASLOOP

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The Medway, Kent, UK
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I am looking for a supplier of a deckhead BNC waterproof plug that will allow me to disconnect the VHF cable from outside of the deckhead at the bottom of the mast. This will allow me to disconnect the VHF and take down the mast (It's wood and so needs a lot of attention) without pulling the entire length of in-cabin co-axial cable through a deck gland whcih would require dissassembling the plug anyway.
I can get such plugs for power to the mast etc, but cannot find the BNC or equivelent.
Does anybody know where I can get such a plug?
 
TCS Chandlery can supply Buccaneer waterproof plug and socket for co-ax cable. I have used these fittings on my Sadler 26 for the disconnection of the VHF aerial cable at the bottom of the mast. Other chandleries may well also supply (TCS are not cheap).
Morgan
 
Index Marine...

Index Marine list them - said to be waterproof to IP68. Personally, I prefer to take the cable through a deck gland and have a plug & socket inside the boat where it's dry.
 
There have been a couple of threads on this subject recently, the majority of us think a cable gland with a join under the deck is a better bet
 
You would be far better off fitting a N type connector for this purpose, of which there are many deck mounted options available.
 
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Do you have to take the gland apart so as to get the cable with plug out through the deckhead?
If that is so then I agree re: dry space.

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Not usually, the gland is slackened and the cable put through then tightened. You will of course have to remove any connector, a small price to pay for a better result.
Arrange for the cable to form a drip loop so leaks and condensation don't enter the connector. Use Duck Oil or WD40 on the connectors and joins
 
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Not usually, the gland is slackened and the cable put through then tightened. You will of course have to remove any connector,

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I just unscrew the gland from the deck and leave the whole gland on the cables when I remove the mast. My Gland is under the sprayhood so I am not left with a gaping hole in the deck open to the elements.
 
I have one of these on my boat and last week as we pulled the genoa over I noticed we had just ripped the cable out of the socket. It might be worth thinking carefully about the position.
 
Thanks for all your input. Magnificent as usual. I have some ideas to work with now. I am off now to the club to make sure the old girl is standing up to her loneliness on the mooring (the boat, that is, not the wife!). Hope to get back out on Saturday.
Thanks again
 
John

I've given up with outside plugs. Never seemed to stay waterproof. I now have a stainless steel swanneck and a bespoke made wooden box inside where the in-line connections are. Hidden away then during the season and easily undone to remove the mast.
 
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Taking the plug apart is a problem because the co-ax cable core is soldered into the connecting pin. having to de-solder then re-solder would not work very well.

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No no no!


There is confusion here!

You do not have to remove the connector from the cable to pass it through the gland and you do not have to be left with a gaping hole in your deck when the mast is down.

Many glands are easily big enough to pass your VHF connection through. You simply unscrew the top ring on the gland, pull out the tapered rubber insert, pull your wire with connector out and then slide it off the (split) rubber plug and through the ring. This takes seconds and no soldering-desoldering is involved. You can then put the gland back together and you are left with a hole the same diameter as your coax, put a bit of tape over it!

I can't understand why anyone would do it any other way!
 
My gland is not split, I had to drill the holes through myself. But then it is oblong in shape and takes all the power cables from the mast.

My VHF is through a deck connector and is still going strong, but again, it is under my spray hood which must help.
 
Now that's a good idea. Reflecting on my limited time as a Radio Officer in the MN I recall that ALL cabling that originated on deck came into the radio room via a swanneck. I should have thought of that - but it was in the mid 60's.

Thanks
 
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My through deck which was on the boat is the black plastic type, with the cap that covers the whole lot. I do not think it is 100% waterproof but after 20 odd years it has never leaked on TC. But it is not as exposed as you possibly are looking for.

There are many different types out there, but I have never seen one that uses BNC connectors. The one thing about the through deck I have, the connector is actually separate from the housing and can be replaced (on the list) if it starts showing signs of corrosion.

The reason I like these is the ability to unplug quickly. When we left on Sunday night, the forecasts were from electrical storms, so I disconnected the aerial before we went home. It wont save the aerial, but should save the VHF. It is not so easy to get to the back of the VHF to unplug.

I do not see the point of using a gland only to break the cable behind it, though, where my normal cable gland comes through it is right in view by the saloon door.
 
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