In line VHF radio coax cable connector.

[mattonthesea]

When I replaced the cable I thought that the mast would not come down again in my ownership so it is continuous from aerial to radio.

I was wrong! So I had to snip it.

When searching for in-line connectors I am deluged with cheap TV things. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate connector. Or is there a surface mount connector suitable?

A deck connection is not appropriate in this circumstance.

Thanks

M

 

[Graham376]

Search BNC connectors but if you can, use a through deck cable gland and join below deck.

 

[ProDave]

Type of cable would help, there is more than one size.

 

[wonkywinch]

Or use a PL259.

 

[mattonthesea]

Oh. Didn't know that different sizes would make a difference. It just came with the aerial from F4.

Should have said that the snip is in the cabin locker so nice and dry. Cable passes through a deck gland.

And I have no soldering facility at the boat

 

[john_morris_uk]

Oh. Didn't know that different sizes would make a difference. It just came with the aerial from F4.

Should have said that the snip is in the cabin locker so nice and dry. Cable passes through a deck gland.

And I have no soldering facility at the boat

No soldering facilities is a big problem as any decent RF connection needs soldering. An in-line BNC plug & socket will serve you perfectly but you need to be meticulous and accurate in your cutting and soldering skills to get optimum results.

 

[wonkywinch]

Gas soldering irons are quite cheap to buy eg - https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d03360/gas-soldering-iron/dp/SD02587?fi=wp

 

[john_morris_uk]

Or try heating a soldering iron on your gas stove. Bit of practice to get it hot enough but not too hot.

 

[andsarkit]

How big is the hole in the cable gland if you want the connector to pass through it?
BNC are better electrically than PL259 and also smaller. They come in 50ohm and 75ohm - you need 50 ohm. The cable is likely RG58 but it should be printed on the cable.
Soldering is better but you can get twist on connectors.
BNC twist on another
Another possible is a crimp on BNC but you would have to buy or borrow a crimp tool.
lots of BNC available
Some more twist on plug and socket with instructions
twist on BNC
I'm slightly confused by the socket as it is 50ohm for RG59 which is 75ohm cable

 

[mattonthesea]

How big is the hole in the cable gland if you want the connector to pass through it?
BNC are better electrically than PL259 and also smaller. They come in 50ohm and 75ohm - you need 50 ohm. The cable is likely RG58 but it should be printed on the cable.
Soldering is better but you can get twist on connectors.
BNC twist on another
Another possible is a crimp on BNC but you would have to buy or borrow a crimp tool.
lots of BNC available

Thanks everyone - I have crimping facilities as rewiring the boat over time! I have used a screwdriver for soldering from a burner - but some decades ago!
Think I've found what I need: RS PRO 50Ω Straight Cable Mount, BNC Connector , jack, RG58 | RS & the plug end too.

M

 

[andsarkit]

You need a special crimp tool with a small jaw for the pin and a large hex for the ferrule.
crimp tools

 

[mattonthesea]

Could I not just connect the inner with a self-sealing, soldered connector and join the outer with a metal casing?

 

[JayBee]

Try this Shakespeare cable splicer. Very low profile, simple to fit and re-uasable. No tools required other than a sharp knife!

Shakespeare Centre-pin VHF Cable Splicer PL-258-CP-G​

 

[JayBee]

For sale at F4, on Ebay and many other places

 

[st599]

Could I not just connect the inner with a self-sealing, soldered connector and join the outer with a metal casing?

The way co-axial works is that an RF Field travels along the cable in the dielectric between the inner and the outer. The cable is 50 ohms, if the field encounters a different impedance (caused by say a different size inner or dielectric, a gap in the shield, a change in shape), some of it is reflected back towards the transmitter. So your connection would work, but it would decrease the power being transmitted, and if the mismatch is big enough, could cause the radio to reduce power to protect the output.

Much easier to solder a decent connector on each end and add a barrel.

 

[Refueler]

There are non solder 259 connectors ....

I would not use a BNC .... not really designed for this job ...

 

[starfire]

There are non solder 259 connectors ....

I would not use a BNC .... not really designed for this job ...

Exactly what it is designed for, a 50 ohm impedance RF connector, rather than a Pl 259 which even though in common use, is not.

 

[Daverw]

Exactly what it is designed for, a 50 ohm impedance RF connector, rather than a Pl 259 which even though in common use, is not.

BNC designed for US military for use with 50ohm stuff and tests as better than PL259. Personally I use N type connectors as the seal better

 

[PaulRainbow]

BNC are fine, but you need the special crimping tool and they are fiddly.

Post #11 is a good solution, or a pair of solderless PL259s with a barrel connector (given the OP has no soldering facilities).

 

[HughClayton]

Try this Shakespeare cable splicer. Very low profile, simple to fit and re-uasable. No tools required other than a sharp knife!

Shakespeare Centre-pin VHF Cable Splicer PL-258-CP-G​

I’ve not seen those before - looks like an elegant design. Thanks