On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:25:55 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

At least
it means I won't have to haul it off/repair the radio, though I'm not
thrilled at the thought that I might have a cable problem

After suffering through a few cable problems with my old sailboats I
finally ended up buying some expensive military grade low loss co-ax.
It was about a buck a foot back in the '80s but it was great stuff
with teflon insulation and silver plated conductors. That was the
end of my cable problems and we had the best VHF reception I'd ever
seen.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:25:55 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

At least
it means I won't have to haul it off/repair the radio, though I'm not
thrilled at the thought that I might have a cable problem

After suffering through a few cable problems with my old sailboats I
finally ended up buying some expensive military grade low loss co-ax.
It was about a buck a foot back in the '80s but it was great stuff
with teflon insulation and silver plated conductors. That was the
end of my cable problems and we had the best VHF reception I'd ever
seen.

Got a source/grade suggestion for something like that?

Sounds good to me...

L8R

Skip

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog
and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to
make it come true. You may have to work for it however."
(and)
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in
its hand
(Richard Bach)

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:28:12 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:25:55 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

At least
it means I won't have to haul it off/repair the radio, though I'm not
thrilled at the thought that I might have a cable problem

After suffering through a few cable problems with my old sailboats I
finally ended up buying some expensive military grade low loss co-ax.
It was about a buck a foot back in the '80s but it was great stuff
with teflon insulation and silver plated conductors. That was the
end of my cable problems and we had the best VHF reception I'd ever
seen.

Got a source/grade suggestion for something like that?

Sounds good to me...


I've seen it at West Marine. The key phrase is "Low Loss" cable.

Here's one source online with several choices -

http://www.radioworks.com/ccoax.html

Ham radio nut specializing in antennas. You might want to call him for
specific recommendations.

Telephone Orders
800-280-8327
Orders and information
757-484-0140
FAX
757-483-1873
Email
Jim will get back to you as quickly as possible, but sometimes it
takes a few days.

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:01 -0500, wrote:

Here's one source online with several choices -

http://www.radioworks.com/ccoax.html

You have to be careful with those cables in a marine application.
They will soak up salt air like a sponge if given any opportunity at
all and will end up worthless. The RG142/U has a solid teflon
insulator which is quite moisture resistant and the double silver
plated shield keeps the signal inside the cable where it belongs. It
is MIL Spec rated for a reason.

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:55:57 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:01 -0500, wrote:

Here's one source online with several choices -

http://www.radioworks.com/ccoax.html

You have to be careful with those cables in a marine application.
They will soak up salt air like a sponge if given any opportunity at
all and will end up worthless. The RG142/U has a solid teflon
insulator which is quite moisture resistant and the double silver
plated shield keeps the signal inside the cable where it belongs. It
is MIL Spec rated for a reason.

As I also mentioned, it would be a good idea to call the guy, because
he specializes in this field. You might even say he's a bit obsessed
with it! I think he'll know what to use.

On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:14 -0500, wrote:

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:55:57 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:01 -0500, wrote:

Here's one source online with several choices -

http://www.radioworks.com/ccoax.html

You have to be careful with those cables in a marine application.
They will soak up salt air like a sponge if given any opportunity at
all and will end up worthless. The RG142/U has a solid teflon
insulator which is quite moisture resistant and the double silver
plated shield keeps the signal inside the cable where it belongs. It
is MIL Spec rated for a reason.

As I also mentioned, it would be a good idea to call the guy, because
he specializes in this field. You might even say he's a bit obsessed
with it! I think he'll know what to use.

I became a bit obsessed with it myself at one time, and also a "ham"
radio operator with an engineering background. All of the garden
variety low loss coax cables either have a foam core dielectric or a
spiral dielectric wrapped around the center conductor. Either way
you get a very efficient conduit for moisture, and if the moisture
contains salt, the "low loss" properties disappear in a heartbeat.

As a bonus with the teflon MIL spec cable you get silver plated
conductors and a double shield, both very desirable for low loss and
long term reliability. As an additional bonus it is relatively thin
and lightweight compared to other ultra low loss cables like LMR400.

On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:26:54 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:14 -0500, wrote:

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:55:57 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:01 -0500, wrote:

Here's one source online with several choices -

http://www.radioworks.com/ccoax.html

You have to be careful with those cables in a marine application.
They will soak up salt air like a sponge if given any opportunity at
all and will end up worthless. The RG142/U has a solid teflon
insulator which is quite moisture resistant and the double silver
plated shield keeps the signal inside the cable where it belongs. It
is MIL Spec rated for a reason.

As I also mentioned, it would be a good idea to call the guy, because
he specializes in this field. You might even say he's a bit obsessed
with it! I think he'll know what to use.

I became a bit obsessed with it myself at one time, and also a "ham"
radio operator with an engineering background. All of the garden
variety low loss coax cables either have a foam core dielectric or a
spiral dielectric wrapped around the center conductor. Either way
you get a very efficient conduit for moisture, and if the moisture
contains salt, the "low loss" properties disappear in a heartbeat.

As a bonus with the teflon MIL spec cable you get silver plated
conductors and a double shield, both very desirable for low loss and
long term reliability. As an additional bonus it is relatively thin
and lightweight compared to other ultra low loss cables like LMR400.

Okay, I'm sold!

Well, I'm triangulating in on the problem. I made up a short jumper of 400
cable, and connected it to my kludge of a powered up setup for the nav radio
dangling at the helm (instead of the arch antenna feed, with which we've
already proven the radio good) and the antenna I took off the top of the
mast.

Loud and clear, just sitting in the cockpit holding the antenna outside the
bimini - tip of the whip not higher than the boom - from a slightly distant
point and a local as well, 5x5, even on low power.

So, given the lousy positioning of the antenna (no height, no grounding), I
conclude that the antenna is ok, of which I'm very gladdened, as dealing
with one on the plane when I come back would be a nuisance.

That leaves the cable, which I'm going to replace, rather than try to
troubleshoot the several pieces of it (mast and at least two jumpers,
perhaps as many as 4, I forget). Various discussions in various places have
alternated between "it's so short, and the power is so small, that anything
will do" to "nothing other than MilSpec, and, a bonus, it's lighter and
thinner" and places in between.

I'm all for lighter and thinner, and the best tx I can get, if the two are
compatible, and forever-grade corrosion/sal****er/whatever protection I can
get.

So, what part number cable should I be looking for for best longevity,
easiest handling and best throughput (is there a single item to do that?)?
I know I may have to pay a couple (maybe more) bux a foot for it, but it's
small potatoes in the boatbux equation, and I really don't want to do this
again...

Thanks, all.

L8R

Skip, glad I'm not having to deal with an antenna on the plane

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog
and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to
make it come true. You may have to work for it however."
(and)
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in
its hand
(Richard Bach)

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:28:12 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:25:55 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

At least
it means I won't have to haul it off/repair the radio, though I'm not
thrilled at the thought that I might have a cable problem

After suffering through a few cable problems with my old sailboats I
finally ended up buying some expensive military grade low loss co-ax.
It was about a buck a foot back in the '80s but it was great stuff
with teflon insulation and silver plated conductors. That was the
end of my cable problems and we had the best VHF reception I'd ever
seen.

Got a source/grade suggestion for something like that?

Sounds good to me...


I believe it was Belden RG142/U. Unfortunately it is now about
$2.25/ft from RF Parts:

http://www.rfparts.com/coax.html#teflon

The good news is that they sell it by the foot. I had to buy a 100 ft
spool when I got mine.

Maybe you can find some on EBAY.