[C320-list] VHF Cable in Mast

[John Meyers]

Sometime this summer I am going to take the mast down and
among other things I want to replace the VHF cable. I am assuming 42 feet
long. What ends should I need if everything is standard? Male Male? Female
Female? Male Female? I there a specific type of cable I should use?

Thank you

John Meyers
1997 #406
Muskegon, MI

[RONALD HODEL]

IMHO - I don’t know the correct length - I guess that has to do with the location of your radio and the route you take with the coax cable. Use the largest coax cable you can to reduce signal loss between the radio and the antenna - a new antenna wouldn’t be a bad idea (I’ve had one go bad). Changed it out anchored at Isla Carmen on Father’s Day 2016. Don’t try to save money on cheap cable nor antennas. Seriously waterproof all connections with heat shrink wrap and use silicone grease on fittings as well.

Ron Hodel
1070. Lokomaikai
Sent from my iPhone

> On May 9, 2022, at 8:46 AM, John Meyers <jcme...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Sometime this summer I am going to take the mast down and

[John Meyers]

Ron,

Great advice. The length needs only to reach from the top of the
mast/antenna to the deck where there must be a connection just inside the
base of the mast. There doesn't seem to be a connection between the radio
and where it goes into the tube that supports the mast. So I assume the
connection is where the mast and deck meet. The longest shroud is just over
42 feet that is longer than the mast.

I like the idea of replacing the antenna itself. Heat shrinking connections
too I didn't think about but was planning for the light wire connections.

Thank you.

John Meyers

[sail-ability sail-ability]

I would use the LMR-400 VHF coax cable. It has the lowest losses for
that length of run. The antenna and radio connectors are PL-295, at the
mast basest is a PL-258 double female. These connectors are solder on,
many now are crimp into the shield wire and they are easy to install but
can be prone to failure.
Regards
JohnM
1999#574

[Joe M]

Coil up an extra couple of feet in the bottom of the mast for cutting back
and changing pl-259’s when needed.

Joe - 2002 C320 hull #902