Joining VHF coaxial cable.

N type coax connectors have better electrical performance and are IP68 weatherproof. Available in 50 and 75 ohm and most cable sizes. They are excellent quality connectors and much nicer to use than standard PL259 plugs.N type
You could use an inline plug and socket to join the coax but you would still need PL259 plugs for the radio and AIS.
If you use inline PL259/SO239 connectors it is best to cover with PIB self-amalgamating tape for weatherproofing if on deck
 
Tillergirl are you recommending that exact connector? It appears very costly in comparison with other similar style bayonet styles - is this a marine tax or is it marine specific i.e. type of metal, resistance? I am happy to pay for a proper component in an essential piece of safety equipment, but if you are saying it should be this style can I buy a cheaper alternative? I had to chop the existing female bayonet connector off the mast end of the cable as it wouldn't pass through the deck hole. Ideally I would just like to replace this half and my soldering is not great so I would also prefer a crimped / clamp version if possible.

Thanks
 
rszemeti said:
Whilst not disagreeing that the F type is the worlds crappest, cheapest connector and has no use on a boat ... don't get too hung up on the 50/75 ohm thing ... I defy you to measure any difference at VHF from using a 75 or 50 ohm plug ... insertion loss and SWR are unaffected at VHF ... in many situations, you'll find that it is common to use a 50 ohm BNC plug and a 75 Ohm BNC socket ... (hint: the entire BBC runs this way ... ). I have equipment that can detect the presence, but only above 2GHz and for all practical purposes, at VHF they are invisible, regardless of charecteristic impedance, as they are simply too short to be noticed.
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+1

The dimensions of the "F" could present a problem actually physically fitting ordinary RG58 or whatever into the that plug.
Spent a lifetime packing out or reducing cables to fit the " wrong"connectors, everything from BNC "N" PL "F" etc usually in cold windy conditions.
As mentioned it seemed to make precious little difference to ERP.
A rather hairy TV co-ax connector usually the source of most problems.
Absolutely love those Gold Plated (in more ways that one) PL 259s .
To be found in your Chandlery at £11.00 or your local CB shop at £4.99.
Obviously a special sort of Marine Gold. ?
Please Please, if you want it to work when you are in desperate need...solder if at all possible, its only your life after all.
 
rszemeti said:
Whilst not disagreeing that the F type is the worlds crappest, cheapest connector and has no use on a boat ... don't get too hung up on the 50/75 ohm thing ... I defy you to measure any difference at VHF from using a 75 or 50 ohm plug ... insertion loss and SWR are unaffected at VHF ... in many situations, you'll find that it is common to use a 50 ohm BNC plug and a 75 Ohm BNC socket ... (hint: the entire BBC runs this way ... ). I have equipment that can detect the presence, but only above 2GHz and for all practical purposes, at VHF they are invisible, regardless of charecteristic impedance, as they are simply too short to be noticed.
Click to expand...
I understand that you are talking about connectors here, but it raises the question in my mind of whether using 75ohm cable would be OK for VHF use. I have a good store of RG59 and tinned, double insulated 75ohm coax (BBC spec) plus connectors from my video days. Would it be silly to use them when I rewire my VHF or is the difference too small to notice in cable as well as connectors?
 
iamtjc said:
I understand that you are talking about connectors here, but it raises the question in my mind of whether using 75ohm cable would be OK for VHF use. I have a good store of RG59 and tinned, double insulated 75ohm coax (BBC spec) plus connectors from my video days. Would it be silly to use them when I rewire my VHF or is the difference too small to notice in cable as well as connectors?
Click to expand...
You could use 75ohm coax if you were just connecting to a "receive only radio".

Assuming you will be connecting a marine band transeiver which requires to operate with a 50ohm coax. Marine band radio is designed to "see" a 50ohm load on the antenna socket. If you used 75ohm coax the radio could be damaged.

As for useing an F type connector, the coax has to have a solid centre core to enable the connector to work correctly. A braided centre core would fold/crumple when you tried to enter it in the conector.
 
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