Help, I've drilled through my VHF aerial cable

Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

1. 25W Soldering Iron (ie not too small)
2. Fine Solder (with flux)
3. Ensure Bright metal connections
4. Tin the end of the wire - apply soldering iron to <u>end</u> of wire and solder nearer 'standing' part. As it heats up the solder is wicked along the wire.
5. Put connector into something to hold it firm
6. Apply soldering iron tip to connector near joint to get the connector to solder-melting temperature
7. Simultaneously touch the solder tip on the connector and wire, and apply solder
8. Remove solder and solder tip; while keeping the joint stationary to dry

Point 3 is important. Often connectors become contaminated or have a protective coating on them. Wires also become tarnised. Scraping down with a sharp knife to bare metal does a lot to help the process along.

Oh, and practice, practice, practice.
 
Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

Plumbers flux isn't necessary as the correct solder has flux in it already. Don't use plumbers solder (with plumbers flux) as it's too bulky to make a precise joint.
 
Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

Get a set of PL259 connectors

TV connectors really are crap, they are made from the cheapest of cheap material, The PL259 are designed for low loss and after all its what the VHF uses itself, so why not use the right thing?

You will need some of the screw in cable reducers as well.

Maplins

web page
 
Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

If you have drilled through the cable it is most likely you have only damaged the outer insulation and possibly the earth braid.
The first thing I would do is check the radio to see if it still works.
Is it a large cable with about 1cm diameter or the samller 6mm diameter? The smaller is more susceptible to damage. The larger has a really tough white plastic insulation under the earth braid.
So if it is only the outer innsulation and part of the earth braid then try to push the earth braid back into place and cover the whole with tape. You have more concern about moisture getting in over the long term than of losing power.
If you have completely severed the cable then you could as suggested join the inner together put lots of insulation tape aroud then join the outer earth braid over the insulation and finally tape up the outside.

There have been many posters who have identified the need for correct impedence joiners to maintain good VSWR. However the effect of mismatch gets worse with frequency and I don't beleive a solder join will affect impedance to any noticeable degree.
Radio signal strength is perceived in a very logarythmic fashion so even loss of half your transmit power is barely noticeable at the other end. You certainly wouldn't lose half power (perhaps 1%) with a solder together join.
However your boat is your pride and joy and I wouldn't be surprised if you and others replace the cable or fit a joiner just so you know it is perfect. good luck olewill
 
Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

It was interesting reading all the different views on what to do with your aerial cable.

I suspect most have not the equipment or the opportunity to accurately measure the results of their ideas as I do.

My thoughts

Definitely not TV connectors, wrong impedance and would cause significant loss they also corrode especially in salt air which can cause other problems

PL259 if you have to but try and get the good quality ones with a proper cable clamp not the screw-in type sold by CB shops

BNC or TNC TNC put together with silicone grease is pretty waterproof and not as likely to come undone as a BNC. Electrially performance identical and the best option

Well of course a new cable would be the best option especially if the existing one is a few years old because they do suffer with damp, hanging down the middle of a mast, etc

As someone said not Gaffa tape but self amalgamating tape for a waterproof joint.

If the crunch comes you will want the max output from your aerial and the most sensitivity of your receiver so it doesn't pay to skimp
 
Re: Help, I\'ve drilled through my VHF aerial cable

[ QUOTE ]

Use male and female TV aerial co-ax connector, and then wrap that in gaffer tape.

Here's a stripper to minimise waste (practice first on something else)

stripper

[/ QUOTE ]

TV connectors are 75 ohm, whereas transmitter connectors are 50.
 
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