Replacing antennae cable

[Atlantic Salt]

Seems simple enough. Attach new cable to old and pull through mast. Problem is the holes at top and bottom through which existing cable exists is just large enough for the existing cable - without any tape. Damn. It seems like the cast masthead fitting may come off and then I could get at the inside and get it done. Anyone have experience with that fitting,etc

All comments appreciated

Phil

[gordwedman]

Originally Posted by Atlantic Salt

Seems simple enough. Attach new cable to old and pull through mast. Problem is the holes at top and bottom through which existing cable exists is just large enough for the existing cable - without any tape. Damn. It seems like the cast masthead fitting may come off and then I could get at the inside and get it done. Anyone have experience with that fitting,etc

All comments appreciated

Phil

If the cable is a tight fit in the holes it sounds like you will not be able to attach a string to the outer case. Two options come to mind:
1. if the cable seems quite loose in the mast I would solder the center conductors together. That should be a strong enough joint to let you pull up the new cable.
2. if the above seems iffy you could make a loop in the old cable's center conductor, solder this loop together and then tie a string to the loop. Pull the string up and then attach the bottom end to a similar loop in the new cable. Pull up new cable with string.

[donradcliffe]

I'd solder the center conductors together and tape so that the joint is constant diameter.

[Jim Cate]

Another possibility: remove the outer insulation from both old and new. Then use shrink tubing with heat adhesive liner to join the two cables, gripping over the shield braid. With the outer cover gone, the OD should be about the same as original and fit through the hole. I suppose you could do the center conductor join as well, but lots of smaller co-ax has pretty flimsy center conductors.

Jim

[1oldbuzzard]

maybe drill the hole a smidgen bigger??

Cant raise the bridge, lower the river