Furuno GPS Antenna- anyone repaired?

[sparkie]

Hi all, my Furuno GPS antenna has been playing up all season, finally traced (99% sure) the problem to a break in the cable about 2-3" from the antenna body. Only problem is that the antenna is a sealed unit and it appears to be impossible to simply cut off a foot of cable and reconnect. Before I stump up over £100 for a new antenna, has anyone ever managed to take one of these things apart and successfully reconnect the cable??

Any advice gratefully received!

Sparkie

 

[philip_stevens]

If it is co-ax, maybe you could use one of these - http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/connectorshow.asp?menupick=PL-258-CP-G - to make the connection on the stub of co-ax showing. Then cover in adhesive lined heat-shrink sleeving.

The perfect solution to the troublesome task of installing a PL-259 connector or splicing RG-58 A/U, RG-8/X or Lo-Max coaxial cables. Shakespeare’s revolutionary Centerpin connectors are solderless, fret-less, and botchless. They go on without a hitch, without soldering skills. No measuring, no critical stripping of coax insulation, no fussing with the coax’s braid, and no tinning.

* For RG-8X or RG-58/AU coax
* Barrel connector for PL-259-ended cables
* Join two cables together - in a snap!
* Gold-plated brass to better withstand the elements and to minimize traditional connector-borne signal loss.

 

[Bilgediver]

If it is co-ax, maybe you could use one of these - http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/connectorshow.asp?menupick=PL-258-CP-G - to make the connection on the stub of co-ax showing. Then cover in adhesive lined heat-shrink sleeving.

My Furuno is definitely coax which conducts th dc to the antenna and the SIGNAL´back to the receiver,

Do not use a PL 259 O´Philips answer is the way to go,ór reconnect internally

Not that the Furuno supplied connectér dis´mantles to the pin and so the 7cabler can be threaded through .25 inch holes before solderless reassembly.

 

[sparkie]

Thanks for the responses. Certainly looks like a good product, if I have enough cable left to play with. No info available from the web page on UK dealers. Any suggestions??

 

[philip_stevens]

i think you will have to get it from the USA.

Try http://www.boatersland.com/shapl258cpg.html or one of the other US boating outlets.

They could ship it over in a few days.

 

[sparkie]

Many thanks Philip.

 

[nigelhudson]

I accidentally cut the lead to my Furuno antenna and did not have enough spare to pull through. I joined it with BNC in-line connectors and wrapped the connection in self-amalgamating tape. It did not seem to reduce he signal strength and the unit has worked without problem for 3 seasons.

 

[Refueler]

And while you are waiting for solution in form of connector ... why not connect handheld GPS via NMEA to the plotter and feed GPS data in that way ... you may lose some data calculations that are done by active antenas - but it will work and keep you navigating ...

I have already wired up and have coiled up ready as emergency back up for my Plotter that any handheld via standard RS232 plug can supply data if I lose my plotters antena.

 

[lw395]

If the cable is simple coax, it will just be carrying the RF signal and dc supply. No 'data functions'.
The signal is amplified in the antenna, that's what the DC supply is for. This means it should not be mega-sensitive to a discontinuity in the cable. So the approach of using any coaxial pair of connectors that fits the cable is valid. You want to keep the water out.
You also want the coaxial screen to have reasonable integrity to avoid a feedback loop where the amplified signal on the cable is picked up by the antenna.

Unfortunately, water may already have got into the cable and antenna, this may cause corrosion and unreliability. Water tends to get drawn up a coax by pressure/temperature changes in the air volume in the antenna. It may be best to cut off as much cable as possible (certainly any that is corroded or discoloured), and dry the antenna before sealing the cable.

The good news is that cheaper makes of GPS antenna will probably work with your receiver.

 

[sparkie]

Thanks all for contributions. I don't know yet how much cable I will be left with, the outer sheath is undamaged so there will be some trial and error as to where the break in the core actually is. I would prefer to get into the antenna and make a new connection internally but no-one yet has said it's possible, and I suspect I'll just end up with a scrap antenna if I attack it. It's nice to know that a mechanical connector will work, and I think that will be my Plan A. As regards cheaper antennas 395, have you any suggestions??

Cheers

Sparkie