VHF aerials repairing

catmandoo

catmandoo

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 Aug 2003
Messages
1,803
Location
The Earth but normally in the place of the high st
Visit site
Radio end of Current aerial has verdegris . One option is to replace the entire aerial . However could dip end in acid to remove . Coat with solder and then reconnect ? Any problems or is the situation mor e complicated

Dont see how verdegris on rest of aerial could not still conduct as long as ends ok unless there is problem with shielding . Any comments ?
 
Assuming you are talking about a quarter wave whip or 5/8 where the centre of the coax connects to the bottom of a metal rod which points upward... no no problem. The metal of the rod must be connected to the coax inner. Any verdegris on the outside will not stop the waves from getting in or departing. If necessary you could even shorten the rod by perhaps no more than 1 cm if that will enable a better connection...... olewill
 
I thought Mr Mandoo was talking about the radio end of the coax.

He is correct of course that a coating of tarnish will not affect the performance of the coax provided he can get a good connection at either end. I have never tried cleaning with acid - you may not be left with much! But if you can get to clean copper and providing the conducors are intact and you make the new joint carefully you should have no problems. I would recommend to check the SWR when done.
 
hello Mr MANDOO. I hope you like that it shows respect. The cable can be shortened I hope. However you may have the patience to scrape the corrosion of the wire both outer braid and inner conductor to anable you to solder onto it. The braid if it is clamped in the plug will not be so critical as you should be able to get a connection through light corrosion but the centre will be more critical and needs to be soldered well. Failing all that you need another cable. Nothing electrical lasts well in a boat. olewill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top