Hello All,
I'm hoping that the collective insight out there might be able to help me figure out a solution to a problem.
I have a
Raymarine Axiom plotter, and a
Raymarine AIS transceiver which were installed by me prior to the 2018 sailing season. (the
AIS and
VHF share the masthead
antenna via a Raymarine splitter) Both performed very normally last season, and then this past
winter we had the
mast taken down to replace the standing
rigging.
This season, both the
VHF and AIS seem to only be working within a limited range of about 2 nms. I have confirmed with other vessels within that range that they can see me on AIS, and I can only raise others on the VHF within a distance somewhat longer than that range, but less than before. My handheld VHF activates the automatic
radio check located about 4 miles away, but the main unit does not.
Reception on the VHF seems to be normal.
I have checked all the components several times, all seem to be in normal operation, I have also checked all connections (except at the masthead) and they all are tight. (the rigger assures me it is not the masthead connection)
The only variable that I can come up with is that prior to the
mast going back up, I noticed a slit in the outer cover of the coax in the exposed section at the top of the mast. The wrapping under the slit did not appear damaged, but was slightly discolored. Not having enough time to replace the coax prior to the mast re-installation, I sealed the slit with liquid
electrical tape.
Is it likely that the slit is the cause of the problem? If so, do I need to replace the entire run of coax within the mast, or can a new section be spliced in at the masthead? (my understanding is that would degrade the signal)
Thanks!