Mast head VHF coax cable.

[aquaplane]

At the moment my VHF is working through an aerial mounted on the pushpit.

There is the mounting for an aerial at the mast head and a coax cable running up there but someone has just chopped through it at some point to take the mast down.

I'm going to fit a new aerial while the mast is down soon. I'll fit a propper deck gland ( design yet to be decided ), and a new cable if I have to.

I'm assuming that the existing cable will be useless having been left open to the elements for 4 years that I know of?

 

[rob2]

You're probably right, particularly if the upper end has been open to the elements, too! If you're fitting a new aerial, it'll most likely to come with a new cable, which will guarantee good performance. Splicing a new bit of cable on each end to get enough to connect it will be as much work as pulling the new cable through!

Rob.

 

[VicS]

At the moment my VHF is working through an aerial mounted on the pushpit.

There is the mounting for an aerial at the mast head and a coax cable running up there but someone has just chopped through it at some point to take the mast down.

I'm going to fit a new aerial while the mast is down soon. I'll fit a propper deck gland ( design yet to be decided ), and a new cable if I have to.

I'm assuming that the existing cable will be useless having been left open to the elements for 4 years that I know of?

Or fit a plug and socket, which will always make it simple to disconnect when you take the mast down.
Personally I have found nothing wrong with the Vtronix plug and socket

 

[prv]

Or fit a plug and socket, which will always make it simple to disconnect when you take the mast down.

Depends how often you take it down really. I'm just about to reconnect the wiring on our mast (been down to get the boat into the paint shop) and I'm tempted to do it with solder and heatshrink. The mast won't be coming down again until standing rigging replacement is due in 2019; I think I can cope with cutting and resoldering once per decade . Will leave plenty of length on the wires for a few cut-and-re-terminate cycles.

Had plugs on the last boat as the masts came down every winter for varnishing

Pete

 

[rob2]

My own preference for connecting would be crimped bnc connectors below decks with a swanneck fitting to feed through the deck (big enough to feed the connector through). You can always stuff some sponge up the end to prevent green ones getting in.

Rob.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Definitely replace the coax. Use the old coax to pull a mousing line through and then use the mousing line to cut the new coax...

If you use a plug on the deck remember that waterproofing the whole thing is essential if it is to work properly for any length of time.

 

[aquaplane]

So, new flex it is then.

When I fitted Aquaplane with a radio I got an aerial, cable and Vtronix deck socket from Salty John, but the mast was up and down like a fidlers elbow.

I'll stick with the aerial and cable but may try a different through deck fitting.

 

[cindersailor]

My experience of deck plugs/sockets has not been good, they never seem up to keeping moisture out. For a number of years now I have been using an Index Marine cable gland at the mast foot for all cables with connections made below the deck. It is possible to drill and then cut the rubber bungs axially in the larger glands to enable plugs to be passed through. I was dubious about whether the cut would seal properly, but it seems to work. I smear some silicone grease on the cut faces to help create the seal. take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uoY9FxYF-w

 

[CreakyDecks]

Apologies if this is a daft question. Have you tried pulling that bit of co-ax coming out of the mast? If someone cut it off at that little bit sticking out of the cabin roof they might have stuffed the rest back into the mast. If that is the case there might be enough to fit a connector. (Personally I'd buy a new cable!)