Can you identify this antenna?

[Hoohaa]

Hi. I currently have a short somewhere in the antenna cable. I am planning to replace the cable up the mast but it apears that the antenna and cable are a sealed unit? Or will it come apart?. I am just looking for someone that has had experiance with this type of antenna.
I am currently considering replacing the antenna and cable but would prefer to just replace the cable, if it will come apart...
Here are some pics.

[deblen]

Don't recognize the rubber duckie antenna,but suggest you have a close look at coax where it passes behind the cable from light.
Looks like a possible chafe point from pics.

[Sailmonkey]

I'd bet if you cut away the heat shrink it will come right apart


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[btrayfors]

I'd bet that under the electrical tape there's a PL-259 UHF coax connector, screwed into the base of the rubber duckie.

BTW, the duckie is a very inefficient antenna. I'd replace it with a good quality marine VHF antenna.

The coax should probably be replaced also. I'll bet it's RG58. Much better to use RG-8X or the larger RG-213 for long VHF runs -- much less attenuation.

Bill
WA6CCA

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

The coax should probably be replaced also. I'll bet it's RG58. Much better to use RG-8X or the larger RG-213 for long VHF runs -- much less attenuation.
WA6CCA

Agreed that the antenna and coax should be replaced with something bigger/better.

Let me clarify that there is RG-8X and RG-8U. RG-8X is similar in size and quality to RG-58. RG-8U is similar in size and quality to RG-213. No idea how the names came to be, but it is confusing. Get RG-8U or RG-213. (There might be technical differences between RG-8U and RG-213, but they don't appear to make an appreciable difference to us sailboaters.)

I'll toss this out there, but I managed to double up on my cable and antennas. Have 75' of extra RG-213 (with PL-259 connectors at each end) and a Shakespeare VHF antenna that I need to off load. PM if your interested!

[Brewgyver]

I think there's a good chance that all you have to do is unscrew the antenna. I think it's screwed into the cable female end through the bracket. You might have to cut off what appears to be heat shrink tubing over the cable end to get a wrench on it to keep it from turning. If the assembly has seen enough weather, you might never get it apart anyway and just have to cut the cable end off, then hacksaw the antenna out of the bracket (or just replace the bracket, as well).

[MCOS]

Are you positive of a short? Antenna will show what appears to be a short normally. Check with a standing reflected wave meter. I would replace the short antenna either way. Under the shrink tubing under the antenna mount you will find a standard radio coax connection.

[Hoohaa]

Thanks for the great advice.
Bill. I am in Oz. But thanks for the cable offer.
I cant go to a large diameter as its h oing to be a battle to run the cable at it's current diameter.

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[Hoohaa]

Mcos.
We have checked it using a multi meter and hooked up a whip to it which worked perfectly. So we can confirm there is a short somewhere.
I will check that pinch point but either way it needs to be replaced.
Thanks to you i now know what i need to be looking for.
Jeff

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[Blue Stocking]

Hoohaa, FWIW, pulled new coax thru a very tight Hunter 42 yesterday. Found on board a coffee coloured liquid wax for leather and vinyl. Worked better than my usual green lube, which I didn't have with me. Best thing since sliced bread.

[Hoohaa]

Was it Dubin? We use that here for softening up new boots.

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[Hoohaa]

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[Hoohaa]

http://www.ashbree.com.au/rider-appa...evjxoChSXw_wcB
Please ignore the previous link.
This is Dubbin.

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[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Hoohaa, FWIW, pulled new coax thru a very tight Hunter 42 yesterday. Found on board a coffee coloured liquid wax for leather and vinyl. Worked better than my usual green lube, which I didn't have with me. Best thing since sliced bread.

From your experience. Should i pull the cable up the mast or down??


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[Blue Stocking]

Depends on the boat. Deck stepped or keelson ? How good is access at bottom end ? We long-tapered all 3 components to the old cable, with mechanical and tight-ly taped jacket, and pulled from top down.