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Old 12-01-2025, 23:59   #1
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Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Hi,

I have a few questions on installing a new radio and in-mast coax. Basic questions are, (1) how do I stop the RG-213 from pulling back into the mast and/or pulling on and damaging the termination at the masthead, (2) is it better to put the coupler for removing the mast inside the mast at the base by an access door or inside the cabin somewhere, and (3) In a desk stepped mast is is risky to drill a hole big enough for the RG-213 and/or a PL-259 terminate to pass through?

That said, here is some more detail:
I have a 1984 Islander Bahama, Kenyon mast. The current radio uses RG-8 coax. The antenna is very corroded, and the the terminal at the masthead is flaking away. MY radio still works but the range is awful and has been getting worse. I am taking part in a near-offshore race in a month so I want to update the radio. I've been told that RG-213 and RG-8 are the best, for various reasons. I ended up buying three runs of RG-213 in various sizes. The one coming down from then mast is fifty feet.

This all presents some challenges. The biggest challenge is that the method by which all of the cables in the mast access the cabin are holes drilled through the aluminum mast step. The hole for the original radio line is actually at an angle at the front of the mast. Fortunately there is an access port at then base of the mast that allows me to work with the connections inside.

I've read on here and some other places that it's better to have the coupler for the radio inside the cabin and not in the mast. I have a barrel connector that I will use as a coupler. RG-213 already has a 7/16 diameter. A 259 coupler is about 3/4 an inch. The big question I am facing is whether I want to drill a hole that big into my mast boot. I may be over thinking this since I have a compression post (deck stepped mast) and the boot itself does not seem to be that integral to the stability of the mast. I am debating whether I should do a brand new hole or enlarge the already existing hole. I'll add that the hole that the radio comes out of now was drilled almost surprisingly crudely given the otherwise quality work on the boat. They apparently bolted the mast step down, then drilled a few holes through it at convenient angles, then fed the cables through them. I'll be doing the same thing, and it doesn't seem like it should disrupt the mast very much. Has anyone on here done this before?

Any other advice on going from RG-8 to RG-213 is appreciated!
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Old 13-01-2025, 06:27   #2
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

To keep the RG-213 from damaging any fittings its connected to, you need some form of strain relief. When I put that in my mast, I used some paracord near the top of the cable, hitched and heat shrunk on then I tied the cord to a fitting inside the mast (I had the mast head off when I did this) In my case I used the tube that passes through the mast for the tangs of the cap shrouds. I did this for both the Coax and my mast wiring. Worked well for me but it depends on the configuration of your mast.

As far as drilling a hole for the RG-213 to pass through at the bottom of the mast, I would make the hole just big enough to pass the cable through and be able to finish with a grommet to prevent chafe. I install the PL-259 after.

As far as the hole location I can't advise on that.
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Old 13-01-2025, 09:27   #3
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by zachduckworth View Post
(1) how do I stop the RG-213 from pulling back into the mast and/or pulling on and damaging the termination at the masthead

You want to attach the RG-213 to the mast. I use cushion clamps. Aluminum ones of suitable size are available from McMaster-Carr among other sources.





Quote:
(2) is it better to put the coupler for removing the mast inside the mast at the base by an access door or inside the cabin somewhere
The two common solutions are either to put the coupler inside the mast and access it from the bottom of the mast when the mast is lowered, or to have the cable exit the mast a foot or so up from the deck, and attach to a connector emerging from the deck. Or sometimes there's a pigtail coming out from the bottom of the mast that gets fed through the deck and coupled inside the cabin.

It is also possible to put a bulkhead connector low on the mast (about 1" from the bottom) and attach a cable from the deck to that. I've done it but it's not a common solution.

Quote:
(3) In a desk stepped mast is is risky to drill a hole big enough for the RG-213 and/or a PL-259 terminate to pass through?
You should terminate the RG after passing the cable through the mast, and use a grommet where the cable goes through the mast. There is no reason to use a PL-259 connector. More modern, more waterproof connectors, like N connectors or TNC connectors, are a better choice. Or use a bulkhead connector or barrel connector to penetrate the mast, as mentioned above. TNC connectors, for example, are much smaller and have superior electrical performance compared to PL-259, and similar mechanical performance.

Quote:

I am taking part in a near-offshore race in a month so I want to update the radio. I've been told that RG-213 and RG-8 are the best, for various reasons. I ended up buying three runs of RG-213 in various sizes. The one coming down from then mast is fifty feet.
There is nothing wrong with switching to RG-58 for tricky sections if necessary for ease of installation. RG-58 is good, reliable cable. The only problem with it is that it's lossy enough to pose a problem when it is used on long runs. If you need to use it from, for example, the mast step to the radio, you'll never notice a difference in performance.


Quote:

I've read on here and some other places that it's better to have the coupler for the radio inside the cabin and not in the mast. I have a barrel connector that I will use as a coupler. RG-213 already has a 7/16 diameter. A 259 coupler is about 3/4 an inch. The big question I am facing is whether I want to drill a hole that big into my mast boot. I may be over thinking this since I have a compression post (deck stepped mast) and the boot itself does not seem to be that integral to the stability of the mast. I am debating whether I should do a brand new hole or enlarge the already existing hole. I'll add that the hole that the radio comes out of now was drilled almost surprisingly crudely given the otherwise quality work on the boat. They apparently bolted the mast step down, then drilled a few holes through it at convenient angles, then fed the cables through them. I'll be doing the same thing, and it doesn't seem like it should disrupt the mast very much. Has anyone on here done this before?
Yes. Don't drill holes and don't use a 259 coupler.
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Old 13-01-2025, 09:42   #4
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jammer View Post
You want to attach the RG-213 to the mast. I use cushion clamps. Aluminum ones of suitable size are available from McMaster-Carr among other sources.






The two common solutions are either to put the coupler inside the mast and access it from the bottom of the mast when the mast is lowered, or to have the cable exit the mast a foot or so up from the deck, and attach to a connector emerging from the deck. Or sometimes there's a pigtail coming out from the bottom of the mast that gets fed through the deck and coupled inside the cabin.

It is also possible to put a bulkhead connector low on the mast (about 1" from the bottom) and attach a cable from the deck to that. I've done it but it's not a common solution.



You should terminate the RG after passing the cable through the mast, and use a grommet where the cable goes through the mast. There is no reason to use a PL-259 connector. More modern, more waterproof connectors, like N connectors or TNC connectors, are a better choice. Or use a bulkhead connector or barrel connector to penetrate the mast, as mentioned above. TNC connectors, for example, are much smaller and have superior electrical performance compared to PL-259, and similar mechanical performance.


There is nothing wrong with switching to RG-58 for tricky sections if necessary for ease of installation. RG-58 is good, reliable cable. The only problem with it is that it's lossy enough to pose a problem when it is used on long runs. If you need to use it from, for example, the mast step to the radio, you'll never notice a difference in performance.



Yes. Don't drill holes and don't use a 259 coupler.

Thanks for the informative response, this is very helpful. I was actually thinking about having the cable exit the mast and then pass through the deck but was worried about it being kicked or snagged or otherwise damaged. How Do you keep it safe? Do you have any pictures of how this is done? I’d prefer this tbh, I was not happy at the idea of drilling into the mast step.

How many cushion clamps would I use? Just one at the top on the outside so that the coax leading direct to the radio is not under any tension from the weight of the run?
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Old 13-01-2025, 10:10   #5
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

I have a deck stepped mast. When the mast was refit we removed the mast step and refurbished it. We placed several holes in the step, then inserted pipes to bring the electrical connections into the cabin (dry space less corrosion). The wires at the base the mast are looped so that water drips off the cable before it goes into the pipe. The pipes extends above the mast step so that accumulated water does not flow through the deck. The mast base and the step have weep holes to let the water in the mast flow out onto the deck and off the boat.

I ran a LMR-400 Ultraflex cable for my radio. Chosen for its low loss properties. Passing it through the deck was accomplished by cutting off the 259 connector then installing it once the cable had been routed to the radio in the cabin. 259 connectors are an easy install.

You can do the same with your RG-213 cable.

The loose cables you see are old cables from prior to the refit. They were cut off and discarded after the image was taken. We sealed off the butt ends of the old cables and the hole they used to enter the boat with a thick glob of adhesive caulk.
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Old 13-01-2025, 12:24   #6
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by zachduckworth View Post
Thanks for the informative response, this is very helpful. I was actually thinking about having the cable exit the mast and then pass through the deck but was worried about it being kicked or snagged or otherwise damaged. How Do you keep it safe?
::shrug:: It's in the way. Tradeoffs you make. Just use a connector that will put up with some abuse, like the N connector I suggested upthread. You can use some cushion clamps to route the cable so that people won't trip on it.

Quote:

Do you have any pictures of how this is done? I’d prefer this tbh, I was not happy at the idea of drilling into the mast step.
Here's a photo of the lighting connection on my old H26. At the time of the photo I had replaced the wiring that went up the mast (white) but had not replaced the connector and had a pigtail (black) spliced to the mast wiring. The mast exit and the deck connector are circled in red. Running coax is similar.

Quote:
How many cushion clamps would I use? Just one at the top on the outside so that the coax leading direct to the radio is not under any tension from the weight of the run?
Ideally every 24" but that is far from being feasible if the cable runs inside the mast. I was able to get a few of them installed inside the mast near the top and bottom to and at the spaders provide some support and control cable slap. I attached the cushion clamps to the cable and installed rivnuts, measured carefully, and drilled holes in the mast and put aluminum machine screws through the mast into the rivnuts.
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Old 13-01-2025, 12:29   #7
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Here's a photo series showing the rivnut technique. Again this wasn't 100% effective where there was no access at all inside the mast, but it worked where I could get fingers or a pliers within 6" of the clamp or so in order to move the cable into the correct position to catch a screw.
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Old 13-01-2025, 12:47   #8
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

At the Mast head, I attached a strain relief to capture the wire after it connected to the antenna. I then wrapped the coax with self-amalgamating tape and stuffed it into the hole (antenna access to the mast). This formed a water tight plug for the wire. It also helps to hold the wire in place in the mast opening. The wire then hangs inside the mast conduit. At the base the wire has a length serving as a drip loop before it enters the tube going through the mast step/deck.
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Old 14-01-2025, 00:56   #9
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

So I bought some RG-8x as well now, plus some deck glands to give me options. I’ll be having the cable exit the mast and passing into the deck through a gland. I’ve realized this is very common. I don’t want to blind-drill a hole in my mast step; maybe later with the mast off when I can do it right.

Otherwise, what strain relief should I use at the mast head? I’ve seen tubes you stick the coax through. Otherwise it seems some people use a variety of methods including a few layers of tape to jam the cable against the hole so that it can’t fit through the hole. That seems somewhat crude but effective? Seems like the tape would eventually degrade and allow the cable to slip. Any advice on this part? I had no idea how many decisions I’d have to make on this projects! Thanks!
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Old 14-01-2025, 10:05   #10
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Ok, what about this plan.

Using either RG—8x or RG-213, I’ll drill a 3/4 hole at the masthead above the upper shrouds for the cable and (professionally installed) terminal to pass through. Just above the hole I will drill two holes and rivet a hook to the inside of the mast to hang this from:

https://www.grainger.com/product/HUBBELL-WIRING-DEVICE-KELLEMS-Bus-Drop-Cable-Support-Grip-6C095


Then I stick a grommet or a gland over the hole, get some slack into the system, and connect to the new radio. I will be careful to wrap the terminal carefully. I used PL-259 terminals; my Shakespeare antenna takes a 259 and I don’t see how an N terminal converter would add weather-resistance since the 259 section will still be a weak link.

I’ll attach old cable to new and trace it down the mast, and then exit the entire new cable and zip tie some pool noodle pieces to dampen the cable banging. Then I’ll bring it back up. I’ll have the cable exit a gland in the mast base, and connect it through another gland in the deck. Then, inside the cabin there will be a barrel connector, and then. run to the radio. The second piece of coax may be RG-8x to help it snake around things.

How’s this sound?

This seems fairly simple to install at the masthead.
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Old 14-01-2025, 12:31   #11
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

I have terminated one end and coiled the whole thing , then fed it into the conduct from the top end.


Due to how the mast was built, I was able to simply stop the cable at the top of the conduct with bitumen tape - as were stopped all the other cables entering the conduct. I had a cable tie round it first, cut off the tail. This stops the cable from migrating slowly thru the bitumic tape 'lock' over time.


The bottom end was fed into the boat all the way to the radio. And terminated there.


So that in my case the whole cable was continuous from the antenna to the radio. The antenna terminal was wrapped, again with that black bitumic tape. To stop any water ingress.


Ten years later, these connections look new on every check up I make. The signal swr is also excellent.


=


make it CONTINUOUS, avoid joints anywhere


b.
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Old 14-01-2025, 13:26   #12
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by zachduckworth View Post
I don’t see how an N terminal converter would add weather-resistance since the 259 section will still be a weak link.

If you are adding a disconnect at the base of the mast so that you can remove the mast when necessary for service, you would add a pair of N connectors at the base of the mast, one male, one female. Or two male N connectors and a barrel if you prefer. Or TNC, if it is important to keep the diameter small to go through holes in the mast, deck, etc.



You would still use a PL-259 for the connection to the radio itself.


Quote:

The second piece of coax may be RG-8x to help it snake around things.

Use RG-58. RG-8x isn't recommended for tight bends because it uses a foam dielectric which is easily deformed especially in hot weather or in the sun. Inexperienced people are drawn to RG-8x because it's lower loss but don't realize the tradeoff they're making. You won't notice the loss from a 15' length of RG-58, but you will definitely notice the loss if your RG-8x arcs over or starts developing reflections at a tight corner.


I use RG-8x for longer runs from my basement to the roof of my house, or for temporary setups. It's cheap and easy to handle. I don't use it in boats, cars, RVs, or for jumpers within cabinets.
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Old 14-01-2025, 22:46   #13
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Re: Running RG-213 through mast, best practice?

I’ve attached two pics of my current masthead antenna. You can see how bad it is.

Now that I’m playing around with some RG 213 I don’t think it will work. It’s very heavy, and it will be hanging free in the mast. Also it will need to make a sharp turn at the base of the mast to exit one gland, followed immediately by a second turn to go to the deck. And it needs to stay near the mast so that it snag on anything. Not sure this will work. I have some RG8x on the way. Is that as stiff as this stuff? What difference in effective range am I realistically going to see between all of these different cables? At most I’m looking at 30 miles or so line of sight, what is the difference with a 24 w radio realistically going to be?
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