Replacing coax to masthead antenna

[Swanrad2]

This is the kind of thing I would usually make up (solder and tape) but really don't want to mess it up and cause more work. How is it best to attach new coax cable to the old for running through the mast? The mast is down, but even so a pain in the backside to fish it through if it gets lost.

Cheers

 

[lw395]

Use a bit of heat shrink tube to join smoothly end to end?

 

[Stork_III]

Use a bit of heat shrink tube to join smoothly end to end?

Or use old coax to pull through mouse and mouse to pull through new coax.

 

[Swanrad2]

Or use old coax to pull through mouse and mouse to pull through new coax.

So obvious! I'd rather ask a stupid question than fish around inside my mast for 24 hours. What makes me feel doubly stupid is that I think I did the mouse in/mouse out thing 20 years ago on a mates boat.

Thanks, T.

 

[pvb]

I generally join the old and new cables with a "staple shaped" piece of seizing wire, then wrap tightly with insulating tape.

 

[aquaplane]

I twisted the old and new cores together and covered the join in tape. IIRC the new coax pulled through OK.

 

[lw395]

Sometimes it's important to have a smooth joint, or it will snag.
And it needs to be fairly strong, even the friction of 12m of coax lying on the mast wall is enough to break a taped join sometimes.
It's good to avoid bending, bruising or abusing coax if possible.

 

[micha571]

I soldered the cores together for 2-3 cm and taped that area to a smooth joint.

 

[chubby]

Use the old to pull through a pair of mice, then one to pull through the new and one as a safety line in case it snags, you pull too hard and the join comes apart mid mast, then just leave the mouse line for the future when your masthead light cable or wind instrument cable needs replacing!

Or use old coax to pull through mouse and mouse to pull through new coax.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Use the old to pull through a pair of mice, then one to pull through the new and one as a safety line in case it snags, you pull too hard and the join comes apart mid mast, then just leave the mouse line for the future when your masthead light cable or wind instrument cable needs replacing!

Genius... good idea!

 

[Tam Lin]

Just done this with electric cables. Cut the ends off cleanly and put old and new cables together end to end. Taped them lightly to keep them in place while I drilled small holes through the cables. Used whipping twine to sew the cables together and another layer of tape to keep it all neat and smooth. Made a strong joint which pulled through easily. Not saying this is an approved method but it worked for me.

 

[Billjratt]

I've just done mine, and replaced the old cable with thicker rg58 using a piece of that green braided stuff the fishermen throw overboard...
The fishing cord is nylon - very strong. Open the braid, stuff the cable into it for a few inches and then secure the end (of the braid) to the coax with tape so that it tightens when pulled. Do this for both cables (obviously) You will be able to chug a snagged cable without fear of separation and you get a streamlined joint. This is how the post office pull cables through underground ducts but using a metal device rather than ripped fishing net...

 

[Swanrad2]

Brilliant thanks - I think double mousing and drilled holes wins the day.