VHF cable repair above decks

MoodySabre

MoodySabre

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VHF aerial comes out near bottom of mast with a loop before disappearing through a deck gland. The cable was trodden on and snapped. I am going to son's at the weekend to boat fettle and this is on my list. I'm not sure if there will be enough slack to get the cable below decks to rejoin. Is there a connector that I could use above decks? Or can I strip back each end and solder the central wires together and the shields together and gaffer tape the join?

We don't really want to drop the mast and fit a new cable (and probably a new aerial too) and we are neither of us going up the mast on land (big boys and big blouses:)). Any lightweights in East Llanion over Easter? Boat is an Achilles 24 triple keel.
 
Dri Plug do a coax connector. If it were my problem I'd solder and "pot" the connection in Sikaflex with self amalgamating tape on top. I think Lidl are doing self amalg tape soon.
 
PL259 plug on the ends that are left afterr tidying up and then a PL259 female joiner like this. Wrapped round securely in self amalgamating tape as PL259 is not waterproof.

Soldering and joining is not a good idea on coax cable. Could seriously affect your transmit ability.
 
savageseadog said:
Dri Plug do a coax connector. If it were my problem I'd solder and "pot" the connection in Sikaflex with self amalgamating tape on top. I think Lidl are doing self amalg tape soon.
Click to expand...

Just to add that you should cover the amalgamating tape (maybe electricians tape) as it doesn't do well with UV. Plenty of joining connectors to be had.
 
savageseadog said:
Dri Plug do a coax connector. If it were my problem I'd solder and "pot" the connection in Sikaflex with self amalgamating tape on top. I think Lidl are doing self amalg tape soon.
Click to expand...

This will cause an impedance mismatch and reflections. Will definitely decrease range and may damage power amp.
 
The Driplug coax plug and socket is rather large IIRC otherwise a good suggestion.

I have a Vtronix deck plug and socket. No problems with this in over 25 years

http://www.force4.co.uk/485/Vtronix...google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid485

Force4 still list it but elsewhere I have seen it described as " discontinued"

230007.jpg
 
starfire said:
Looks rather like a N type plug & bulkhead jack
Click to expand...

Yes.
Its an N type. I bought it with the aerial in 1985 and I still have the fitting instructions!
Does the job that's the most important thing and easy to unplug when the mast comes down.
A little cap that screws on the socket and a little plastic plug into the plug keep it all clean and dry when disconnected
 
st599 said:
This will cause an impedance mismatch and reflections. Will definitely decrease range and may damage power amp.
Click to expand...

Disagree. A well made soldered inline joint (maintaining the shield, which can be achieved in various ways) will give a near-perfect impedance match. What certainly will NOT is a PL259 connector .... they are mechanically robust but not constant impedance.
 
VicMallows said:
Disagree. A well made soldered inline joint (maintaining the shield, which can be achieved in various ways) will give a near-perfect impedance match. What certainly will NOT is a PL259 connector .... they are mechanically robust but not constant impedance.
Click to expand...

I'd no more attempt to solder it than I would use a PL259.

You had better tell us how to satisfactorily solder it maintaining the shield.
 
Thanks Vic and Ludd. I'm going to go ready to do a temporary lash up and then work to a total fix later when I have seen the precise problem. There is little chance of getting anything local to the boat which is on a swinging mooring until I get down there and neither of us can remember the break precisely.
 
VicMallows said:
Disagree. A well made soldered inline joint (maintaining the shield, which can be achieved in various ways) will give a near-perfect impedance match. .
Click to expand...

+1

It may all depend on how much cable is available to work with.
I find it easier to solder in confined spaces than to fit hardware.
Judicious use of the washbasin or a box will keep the wind off, and using a big iron - 75 - 100 watt will also help. ( a 25 watt iron used alfresco will probably leave you with a dry joint at this time of year)
 
VicS said:
PL259 are dismissed above on impedance matching grounds... which is strange because that is the type of plug /socket on the radio itself.
.
Click to expand...

Not so strange. At the radio end you will be connecting directly to the input tuned circuit so any mismatch, if significant, can be tuned out in design. A mismatch along the antenna feeder though could result in reflections with consequent problems.

(Having said that, I personally would probably just twist things together, and if everything worked OK, leave it at that :D:D)
 
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