Reconnecting a stubby antenna.

[Simon F]

I have a Shakespeare V-Tronix Stub VHF Antenna mounted on the wind generator mast and the coaxial cable is deteriorating from exposure to the weather for the first 1.5 metres but the remaining 10 metres of cable is ok and a previous owner has thoughtfully left, safe and dry within the cockpit locker, a tidy coil of the surplus coax which is sufficient to reach the antenna's mounting position. So, can I cut off the first 2 metres or so and connect the fresh end to the antenna?

I took it apart and it looks like the central conductor in the coax is soldered to a little connector which is bolted into the bottom of the antenna by a tiny Phillips head machine screw I can't see how the mesh shielding is supposed to terminate however. Has anyone rewired one of these? This seems to be worth repairing because if I buy a replacement, I'll have to run the new cable which looks like being more bother than fixing this. Is there the potential to damage the transponder if I get it wrong?

Thanks for any guidance

Simon.

 

[greeny]

Sounds like its feeding the AIS transponder. I would say no problem. Shorten as needed. Might be fiddly making the connections again and making it waterproof but give it a go. It'll save running a new cable in for new antenna.

 

[footsoldier]

Obviously you will be aware that any moisture that has entered through the cracking can 'wick' a surprising distance along the mesh shield. Something to check before cutting.

 

[Simon F]

Obviously you will be aware that any moisture that has entered through the cracking can 'wick' a surprising distance along the mesh shield. Something to check before cutting.

Thanks. I think the cable is intact, it's just at that stage where it has lost its flexibility and shine as u.v. and heat cycles do their work.