Joining aerial cable

YachtAllegro

YachtAllegro

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27 Apr 2012
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Me - Inverness / Boat - Inner Sound, West Coast
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Sounds a really silly question, but what have people found effective and easy to use to make a disconnectable joint in their VHF aerial cable so that it can be easily unplugged when the mast is removed? I did this a while ago, I can't remember exactly with what type of plug / socket, but I found wiring the cable into the plug very fiddly and to be honest, was never convinced I'd made a good contact. Now our VHF range is definitely poor and I'd like to replace it, but ideally with something that will be more idiot-proof than the last one! Any suggestions of specific connectors that are nice and straightforward to wire in?!
 
That looks like the very one I've got. So what am I doing wrong in assembling it? The centre of the co-ax cable never seemed to do anything other than sit wobbling around in the central pin of the connector - there seemed to be no way to screw / clamp / fix it securely in place. In contrast, the insulating sheath was clamped nicely into the outside as one tightened it up, but I was always suspicious of the quality of the connection of the (rather important, clearly!) central cable.
 
Pass the cable through a deck gland, then
2 off these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PL259-9-5...on_Coax_Cables_Connectors&hash=item27e75b4655
plus 1 off this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PL258-DOU...ecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item5661dd9272
under the deckhead beneath the lining.
Leave some spare cable so that you can cut off the soldered connector when removing the cable to lower the mast and replace the connector when the mast is back up.

But for the best results do not put a join in the cable but run it complete back the the radio.
 
Last edited:
YachtAllegro said:
That looks like the very one I've got. So what am I doing wrong in assembling it? The centre of the co-ax cable never seemed to do anything other than sit wobbling around in the central pin of the connector - there seemed to be no way to screw / clamp / fix it securely in place. In contrast, the insulating sheath was clamped nicely into the outside as one tightened it up, but I was always suspicious of the quality of the connection of the (rather important, clearly!) central cable.
Click to expand...

And also what I have. No problems with it in the 30 years it has been fitted.

Both socket and plug were fitted following the instructions that came with them. Soldered centre core I am sure.

Cut the insulation, outer sheath and centre core as specified.

Mine has been unplugged and plugged back in regularly as I always lower the mast for the winter.

I always fit the cap that came with the socket and the plastic plug that came with the plug to keep both clean and dry when not connected to each other although I am sure a thin smear of silicone grease helps.


Tip: A smear of silicone grease on the outer sheath helps the boot slide up and down when disconnecting/reconnecting.


I should still have the fitting instructions if needed.
 
Salty John said:
+1

Use a gland through which a PL259 can pass - see Index Marine's site - and you won't have to refit a connector each season.
Click to expand...

Fair point. I didn't realise that the OP lowers his mast every year. I thought every 5 to 10 years (for checks) was normal on non trailer/sail boats.
 
True a BNC connector is smaller than a PL259 but in my experience they corrode very quickly in moist conditions (eg condensation behind the head lining). PL259 connectors are available in corrosion resistant materials so I prefer them despite the inconvenience of size.
 
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