Antenna wire testing

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

i hope i haven't come across as being ungrateful for all your collective advice. but in view of my being an electronic simpleton even the simplest tests you've offered up seem to be beyond my understanding.

i have determined that with a good cable/antenna (friends boat) my vhf radio works great. my current antenna/cable is probably original, and 34 years old. i could hire a radio expert and i'm beginning to think he will tell me to replace the antenna/cable. so i'll save that expense and aggravation and just go ahead with planning a replacement. not looking forward to it but at least it's the last item on my must do list before heading out.

in view of that, i would like to ask another question. what is the best kind/size of antenna cable to use for a masthead mount with about a 60 foot run?

Lord Finchley tried to mend the Electric Light himself,
It struck him dead, and serve him right,
It is the business of the wealthy man,
to give employment to the artisan.

Hilaire Belloc.

[onestepcsy37]

rwidman -

i've no aversion to hiring experts. just had my shaft, cutlass bearing, and coupler replaced. i know that's beyond my comfort zone, so i hired an expert. he did a great job.

on the other hand, i just replaced my instrument panel. after looking at it i decided i could do that myself. just mark ALL the wires first.

and now, after checking with you guys about the problem, i've decided that it's time to replace antenna and cable.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

rwidman -

i've no aversion to hiring experts. just had my shaft, cutlass bearing, and coupler replaced. i know that's beyond my comfort zone, so i hired an expert. he did a great job.

on the other hand, i just replaced my instrument panel. after looking at it i decided i could do that myself. just mark ALL the wires first.

and now, after checking with you guys about the problem, i've decided that it's time to replace antenna and cable.

I wasn't directing that at you in particular, but some folks don't know their limits.

Like you, I bring in a pro when necessary and before I've screwed something up enough to make the repair harder than it would have been had I left it alone.