Echo max Active Dual Band -Cut Cables

[RunAgroundHard]

The cables have been cut with about a foot tail left. Can these be extended using an appropriate connector? Considering buying g a second hand unit for a good price.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

In particular can the antenna cable be replaced at the connection to the antenna i.e. is it sealed into the unit or does it have a plug that screws in?

 

[tillergirl]

Classic sign of a stolen unit. A number of us have suffered thefts from out boats. Instrument heads are stolen by the cables being cut.

 

[Roberto]

IIRC the cable entrance into the antenna is sealed.
The cable is a normal three strands electrical cable, not even shielded.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

IIRC the cable entrance into the antenna is sealed.
The cable is a normal three strands electrical cable, not even shielded.

Okay, that is what I am interested in. I downloaded the manual and it implies that, blue and brown cables. The p=base of the antenna is hidden behind the bracket in the advert.

The seller will send more pictures this afternoon and the uno comes complete with manual and brackets.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Deleted, pointless.

 

[jamie N]

All of the electronics are in the antenna. With my one I've recently soldered a new cable onto the whip from the antenna as I'd cut the factory length off already. The cable is only for the 12VDC IIRC, but does have small electronics in the control box that emits an audible signal when pinged.
Edit: Just noticed that yours is the dual-band; mine's the single band, but can't imagine that it'd be too different.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Thanks Roberto and Jamie N. I think adjusting the cable lengths is a reasonable option. I am considering mounting at my mast head and would rather a continuous cable to the control box. However, having read the instructions, it suggests that mast height may activate the unit from radars that are too far away ie frequent trips. The seller stated it was removed from a stern rail.

 

[jamie N]

That's a similar story to me. Mine's at the stern attached to the backstay as I've no guard rails. I did have it at the mast head, and soon wished that I'd not!

 

[Roberto]

Thanks Roberto and Jamie N. I think adjusting the cable lengths is a reasonable option. I am considering mounting at my mast head and would rather a continuous cable to the control box. However, having read the instructions, it suggests that mast height may activate the unit from radars that are too far away ie frequent trips. The seller stated it was removed from a stern rail.

My antenna is on the stern gantry, about 4m asl, it picks up other radars at about 15-16nm distance; the beeper is sufficiently loud to wake me up. I then check on ais/radar what the other ship is doing. Green led are usually fishing or smaller m/vessels, amber led is S band and usually the big boys.
You will also be able to check the number of ships having their radar on and not their AIS and form your personal opinion about the latter.

 

[Daydream believer]

My antenna is on the stern gantry, about 4m asl, it picks up other radars at about 15-16nm distance; the beeper is sufficiently loud to wake me up. I then check on ais/radar what the other ship is doing. Green led are usually fishing or smaller m/vessels, amber led is S band and usually the big boys.
You will also be able to check the number of ships having their radar on and not their AIS and form your personal opinion about the latter.

I have had the dual band for some years but never have the alarm on as I sail in a busy area. switch is below so being on deck i never watch it. However, your comment above raises my interest. I have a switch plus a light next to it. I have never worked out what why to flick the switch for on or off. & I think I have been sailing with it turned off for a few years. I certainly have the alarm off as it bleeps continuously. But that aside, are you saying that the light changes colour or does your version have 2 different lights?

 

[RobbieW]

My antenna is on the stern gantry, about 4m asl, it picks up other radars at about 15-16nm distance; the beeper is sufficiently loud to wake me up. I then check on ais/radar what the other ship is doing. Green led are usually fishing or smaller m/vessels, amber led is S band and usually the big boys.
You will also be able to check the number of ships having their radar on and not their AIS and form your personal opinion about the latter.

I'd be concerned about mounting the transponder low down. More than 75% of the benefit to me is some security that my boat is providing a good & reliable radar return when scanned. At 4m in ocean swell, I'd be concerned that wasnt happening.

 

[Roberto]

I have had the dual band for some years but never have the alarm on as I sail in a busy area. switch is below so being on deck i never watch it. However, your comment above raises my interest. I have a switch plus a light next to it. I have never worked out what why to flick the switch for on or off. & I think I have been sailing with it turned off for a few years. I certainly have the alarm off as it bleeps continuously. But that aside, are you saying that the light changes colour or does your version have 2 different lights?

There are three separate leds (at least on mine): the green one flickers when hit by a X-band radar, the amber one when hit by a S-band radar, the red one when instrument turned on. Two switches: one instrument on/off, the other buzzer on/off.
A video I posted on the other thread about the same subject, you can see the three leds, the green one is being activated by my own radar, the amber by the ship X-band radar at about 12nm distance, the ship is not transmitting AIS (which unforunately happens more than one is led to believe).

 

[Roberto]

I'd be concerned about mounting the transponder low down. More than 75% of the benefit to me is some security that my boat is providing a good & reliable radar return when scanned. At 4m in ocean swell, I'd be concerned that wasnt happening.

I think there is a trade-off between two aspects.
With my masthead AIS RX antenna I receive ships' Ais signal from say 30-40... miles, I can setup the CPA alarm to 1-2miles so the alarm only rings when necessary.
The RTE has no filter, a masthead antenna would be painted by other radars at similar distances and the buzzer ring very frequently, possibly leading to switch it off (which I always do when coastal), I am mostly singlehanding so an acoustic warning is very important, much more than knowing there is a ship at 30nm distance.
So on one side high antenna, more extended radar visibility and possibly more consistent enhanced returns at lower distances but no acoustic warning, vs
other side lower antenna, less extended radar visibility but with buzzer. The average trigger distance for my antenna is 10-12-15nm depending on the type of the other vessel radar, I find it a good compromise.

 

[Daydream believer]

There are three separate leds (at least on mine): the green one flickers when hit by a X-band radar, the amber one when hit by a S-band radar, the red one when instrument turned on. Two switches: one instrument on/off, the other buzzer on/off.
A video I posted on the other thread about the same subject, you can see the three leds, the green one is being activated by my own radar, the amber by the ship X-band radar at about 12nm distance, the ship is not transmitting AIS (which unforunately happens more than one is led to believe).

I will nipback o the boat in a couple of days & check again as to what I have. If OK with you I may come back to you