VHF antenna anomaly
 

Hi, y'all,

We have a very curious (well, curious to me; there may well be better
informed folks out there than I on this) situation with our mast-top mounted
antenna, connected to our Uniden ES series UM525 unit at the nav station.
On channel 68 in particular, but in some others as well, it doesn't "hear"
well at all. Only stations very close by come through.

Yet, we're heard very clearly at the expected distances on 68. To me, that
sounds backward, as, if there's a problem, it's usually that you can't be
heard, due to some cable issue not allowing full power to get out.

Unfortunately, I have no ready means to remove this unit/plug up another to
the cable to see if that's really the issue, or, possibly (doesn't seem
likely, as some channels are fine) that it's the radio at fault.

Any experience with this sort of problem? Our helm radio gave up the ghost
a couple of days ago (something in the electronics makes it think it's
always getting a signal ["busy" icon], but there's no noise regardless of
volume or squelch levels), so we're a bit nervous, until we can get a
replacement, given our deafness in the hailing channel here in Abaco.

Any help appreciated...

L8R

Skip and Lydia, in Marsh Harbour where it's only 80 during the day, a nice
break

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...
Hi, y'all,

We have a very curious (well, curious to me; there may well be better
informed folks out there than I on this) situation with our mast-top
mounted antenna, connected to our Uniden ES series UM525 unit at the nav
station. On channel 68 in particular, but in some others as well, it
doesn't "hear" well at all. Only stations very close by come through.

Yet, we're heard very clearly at the expected distances on 68. To me,
that sounds backward, as, if there's a problem, it's usually that you
can't be heard, due to some cable issue not allowing full power to get
out.

Unfortunately, I have no ready means to remove this unit/plug up another
to the cable to see if that's really the issue, or, possibly (doesn't seem
likely, as some channels are fine) that it's the radio at fault.

Any experience with this sort of problem? Our helm radio gave up the
ghost a couple of days ago (something in the electronics makes it think
it's always getting a signal ["busy" icon], but there's no noise
regardless of volume or squelch levels), so we're a bit nervous, until we
can get a replacement, given our deafness in the hailing channel here in
Abaco.

Any help appreciated...

L8R

Skip and Lydia, in Marsh Harbour where it's only 80 during the day, a nice
break

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)




Yes, Skippy, I have one of those units. It kept getting worse. The receiver
kept getting weaker and weaker until even the weather channels weren't
there.

I thought maybe it was an antenna problem but it wasn't. I tried a different
antenna. It broadcast just fine but no sign of reception. It was the
receiver. Those things have a three-year warranty so if yours is under
warranty then send it in post haste. I sent mine in and had to pay for the
repair since it was out of warranty. Another cruiser had the same problem
with his um525. Therefore, I think it is valid to assume Uniden has a
problem with this radio. They put a new receiver in mine and sent it back
and it works good as new again.

The good news is it only cost me about 67 bucks for the repair. Go to their
website for instructions on repair procedure.

Good luck


Wilbur Hubbard

VHF antenna anomaly
 

"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message
anews.com...
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...

Yes, Skippy, I have one of those units. It kept getting worse. The
receiver kept getting weaker and weaker until even the weather channels
weren't there.

I thought maybe it was an antenna problem but it wasn't. I tried a
different antenna. It broadcast just fine but no sign of reception. It was
the receiver. Those things have a three-year warranty so if yours is under
warranty then send it in post haste. I sent mine in and had to pay for the
repair since it was out of warranty. Another cruiser had the same problem
with his um525. Therefore, I think it is valid to assume Uniden has a
problem with this radio. They put a new receiver in mine and sent it back
and it works good as new again.

The good news is it only cost me about 67 bucks for the repair. Go to
their website for instructions on repair procedure.

Good luck


Wilbur Hubbard




Thanks, Wilbur,

I've got threads going in lots of places, including SSCA, where a couple of
EEs have chimed in; they're of the opinion that it's the rxr as well. I'm
going to remove it, power it to the helm antenna, and confirm before sending
it off, it being about 4 years old (recall the wreck was 2y/9mo ago),
installed during the general electronics upgrade. New ones are a couple
hundred, so a third of that beats buying a new one, which I'll have to do
for the helm, anyway as it's toast, completely.

Having a ball in your favorite stomping grounds, as you've seen in my recent
posts. Chasing new gear for upgrade in GPS and chartplotter, Alternator and
a couple other items at the moment and volunteering at BuckABook, of which
I'm sure you're aware...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

--
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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message
anews.com...
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...

Yes, Skippy, I have one of those units. It kept getting worse. The
receiver kept getting weaker and weaker until even the weather channels
weren't there.

I thought maybe it was an antenna problem but it wasn't. I tried a
different antenna. It broadcast just fine but no sign of reception. It
was the receiver. Those things have a three-year warranty so if yours is
under warranty then send it in post haste. I sent mine in and had to pay
for the repair since it was out of warranty. Another cruiser had the same
problem with his um525. Therefore, I think it is valid to assume Uniden
has a problem with this radio. They put a new receiver in mine and sent
it back and it works good as new again.

The good news is it only cost me about 67 bucks for the repair. Go to
their website for instructions on repair procedure.

Good luck


Wilbur Hubbard




Thanks, Wilbur,

I've got threads going in lots of places, including SSCA, where a couple
of EEs have chimed in; they're of the opinion that it's the rxr as well.
I'm going to remove it, power it to the helm antenna, and confirm before
sending it off, it being about 4 years old (recall the wreck was 2y/9mo
ago), installed during the general electronics upgrade. New ones are a
couple hundred, so a third of that beats buying a new one, which I'll have
to do for the helm, anyway as it's toast, completely.

Having a ball in your favorite stomping grounds, as you've seen in my
recent posts. Chasing new gear for upgrade in GPS and chartplotter,
Alternator and a couple other items at the moment and volunteering at
BuckABook, of which I'm sure you're aware...



Is the horse lady (can't recall her name anymore) still run Buckabook? Those
wild horses are way cool. It's worth a trip to the wild to try to catch a
glimpse of them.

The Hub of the Abacos is one fine cruising grounds and base of operations to
the Out Islands. Real grocery stores for one thing. The frozen meat is not
much more costly than here in the States. Staples aren't too bad. It's just
mostly the junk food that's out of sight. I guess they put more of a tariff
on that crap. It must work because most Bahamians aren't fat.

Hope to get back there for six-months to a year one of these days. Been
looking the place over closely on Google Earth and it looks like lots of
secluded cruising over on the western side of Great Abaco. With 3.5 feet I
can take my blue water yacht into some very shallow areas. I can get lost
for weeks walking secluded beaches with a bottle of rum and a gallon jug of
water.


Wilbur Hubbard

Abacos (was) VHF antenna anomaly
 

"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message
anews.com...

Is the horse lady (can't recall her name anymore) still run Buckabook?
Those wild horses are way cool. It's worth a trip to the wild to try to
catch a glimpse of them.

Well, in fact, yes, and we're going out there on Tuesday with Mimi, still
doing it after 17 years, thence to dive the blue hole.


The Hub of the Abacos is one fine cruising grounds and base of operations
to the Out Islands. Real grocery stores for one thing. The frozen meat is
not much more costly than here in the States. Staples aren't too bad. It's
just mostly the junk food that's out of sight. I guess they put more of a
tariff on that crap. It must work because most Bahamians aren't fat.

Some meats are horrendously high, but we find the frozen end cut porkchops a
reasonable value. Most of the rest of the meats there are double to triple
what I'd find in the US.

Did you ever have Wholesale deliver to the dock? We're wondering about their
policies on that, and have heard from several that they represent a real
savings. Not a great deal we need, actually, currently, other than Coke,
which supply was totally decimated after all of our guests at multiples a
day - Lydia's still got much more than half the beer which came with us, but
I'm down to a few 12 packs.


Hope to get back there for six-months to a year one of these days. Been
looking the place over closely on Google Earth and it looks like lots of
secluded cruising over on the western side of Great Abaco. With 3.5 feet I
can take my blue water yacht into some very shallow areas. I can get lost
for weeks walking secluded beaches with a bottle of rum and a gallon jug
of water.

Heh. With 7', we're a bit restricted - but, folks ground with every known
draft, so it's a matter of picking your way in expected OK waters. We were
surprised to be able to get into (and out of!) Hopetown with no issues,
albeit at close to high tide, last weekend.

Lotsa secluded beaches, and, right now would be a good time to go, but a bit
cool for reefs. We have wetsuits, though, so if Lydia gets tired of sitting
in the container which masquerades as the book shop with nobody coming (a
little early in the season still), perhaps we'll pull up the hook and go.

Currently exploring all the local restaurants for TxG events so we can put
them out on the net. Several of them very reasonable, and Nippers and
Anglers (here) very expensive. Have had some nibbles about joining folks
for Thursday, so haven't made up our minds what we'll do, yet.

Going to go help the Rotary Club (collections outside PriceRight by the
special needs school, which teachers we've befriended here) distribute
pallets of food post TxG, too.



Wilbur Hubbard

Looking forward to seeing you out here. We'll be in the Bahamas for a
year...

L8R

Skip, suggesting to get back on track with my next post

v

VHF antenna anomaly
 

Update: Just removed the radio and powered it up to the antenna at the helm.
Asked for a radio check and got some distant replies.

Evidently a PBRAM (problem between radio and mast, taken from the IT
shorthand for stupidos: PBKAC), so I'll have to track that down. 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, the mast being a
real stinker for doing another cable, should it be required! With any luck,
a new antenna will cure that problem.

Stand by for more results!

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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

Update: Just removed the radio and powered it up to the antenna at the helm.
Asked for a radio check and got some distant replies.

Evidently a PBRAM (problem between radio and mast, taken from the IT
shorthand for stupidos: PBKAC), so I'll have to track that down. 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, the mast being a
real stinker for doing another cable, should it be required! With any luck,
a new antenna will cure that problem.

Stand by for more results!

L8R

Skip

Water in a connector?

VHF antenna anomaly
 

wrote in message
...

Water in a connector?


Ya, maybe, or some other connection problem. I'm going to start with the
antenna, as I have a spare. If that's not the problem, likely I'll put an
entirely new cable up there, as what's in it has at least 2, perhaps as many
as 4 intersections...

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

VHF antenna anomaly
 

"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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

Abacos (was) VHF antenna anomaly
 

Flying Pig wrote:

Lotsa secluded beaches, and, right now would be a good time to go, but a bit
cool for reefs. We have wetsuits, though, so if Lydia gets tired of sitting
in the container which masquerades as the book shop with nobody coming (a
little early in the season still), perhaps we'll pull up the hook and go.

Skip, suggesting to get back on track with my next post

v



I have often wondered how often you move - and how long you stay in
any one place.

Probably one of those things where ya gotta be there to understand it.


R

VHF antenna anomaly
 

Flying Pig wrote:
wrote in message
...
Water in a connector?


Ya, maybe, or some other connection problem. I'm going to start with the
antenna, as I have a spare. If that's not the problem, likely I'll put an
entirely new cable up there, as what's in it has at least 2, perhaps as many
as 4 intersections...

L8R

Skip


Tight bends in the coax?

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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.

Moving around (WAS) Abacos
 

"cavelamb" wrote in message
m...


I have often wondered how often you move - and how long you stay in
any one place.

Probably one of those things where ya gotta be there to understand it.


R

Hi, Richard, and list,

We move as often as we're moved (pardon the expression) to do so. Being
full-timers, unlike those on their boats for a month, like our new friends
on Conchessa, or a season, like many in Georgetown we met last winter, we
have no particular urgency. By contrast, Conchessa was on the move, back to
a base (Hopetown or Marsh Harbour) very frequently. They fly home today
after their month here, and do that routine three times a year, basing (cuz
they have a permanent mooring) in Hopetown.

In Lydia's case, in particular, she's always wanted to immerse herself in
the local culture, and, here in Marsh Harbour, she's found a touchstone in
(see arkwild.org for more info) the local VERY endangered horses, so is
volunteering on a daily basis for the next while. In the meantime, I do the
usual "cruising is..." puttering, and try to catch up on some of my
subscriptions I let slide entirely for the entire time of our refit this
summer.

So, in this case, since we're committed to a flight on Dec. 17, not to
return until Jan. 17, and when we do, will have some fairly fiddly
electronics installation to attend to, we'll be here, likely, until the end
of January or so.

Generally speaking, though, we move around at a couple-of-days pace if we're
only going to see something in particular, as seen in our last couple of
logs, and, if there's someplace appropriate, we might use that as a "base" -
such as here, and, later this winter, Georgetown.

It's all what winds your anchor chain, I presume, as each cruiser's style is
going to be somewhat different than the next...

HTH

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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!

VHF antenna anomaly
 

"cavelamb" wrote in message
m...


Tight bends in the coax?

Very possibly. The original installation was very tight bends, both coming
out of the mast and into the antenna. OTOH, the antenna to the helm is also
very tightly bent (I didn't like it after the installation by my electrical
guy during our original installation, as well as the splash shield being
mounted UP - but it was done, and there's not enough length to make it
right), and it works fine.

All that said, I've concluded that, regardless of my shortly-to-be-tried
checking with a different antenna up top, I'm going to spring for a new
antenna and cable. This thread and others in different venues have me homing
in on the best cable I can buy (no sense in doing it wrong, for the sake of
a few bux, in what should be the last time it's fiddled with!), which, with
a new whip (don't know that we'll ever have to deal with a bridge again in
our ownership, but I'd rather not have to replace a lovely stick if we do,
not to mention that I expect most sticks would be a different mount than the
259 UHF connector I went to the trouble to install on my bracket), should
put the matter to rest.

When I DO replace it, I'll make sure of the proper length/radius of turns so
that it's not an issue for the future. I rather like another's comment
about some expensive stuff which is both thinner and lighter, but notably
better for the application. Once I have a proper reference number, I'll
hunt it down and lay it in when I'm back ashore.

In the meantime, I'll also do the check suggested by someone else in the
thread about checking out the antenna which was up there, it being out,
now...

Stay tuned (pardon the expression) :{))

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:46 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

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...

What I used with great success on my old Cal-34 was RG-142/U. Looking
around on Google I just found a place that has it for $1.94/ft
(non-MIL spec):

http://www.wifi-parts.com/rg142u.html

That is a good price in my opinion since some places are charging as
much as $5/ft.

Here's another source for the MIL spec version
at $2.25/ft (over 50 ft):

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

Looks like they have the non-MIL spec version at $1.80, don't know
what the difference is but my experience is with the MIL spec.

It is easy to handle although no coax likes really sharp bends.

VHF antenna anomaly
 

Solid dielectric, double shield, preferably not pvc sheath which gives
off acid decay products. Choose the correct characteristic impedance.
Coax is offered in 50 to 70 ohm impedance. Above all: minimize I said
MINIMIZE the number of BNC coax connections. They are lossy. You could
consider low loss type connectors but it adds to the general confusion
and cost I know. I hope you don't mean what I THINK you mean when you
talk about jumpers. NO WIRE JUMPERS!

Brian W

Flying Pig wrote:
...
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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

Wayne.B wrote:

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

Looks like they have the non-MIL spec version at $1.80, don't know
what the difference is but my experience is with the MIL spec.

It is easy to handle although no coax likes really sharp bends.


At a sharp left hand corner, a right hand loop beats a tight left bend,
any day of the week.

Brian W

VHF antenna anomaly
 

----- Original Message -----
From: "brian whatcott"
Newsgroups: rec.boats.cruising
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 7:24 AM
Subject: VHF antenna anomaly


Solid dielectric, double shield, preferably not pvc sheath which gives off
acid decay products. Choose the correct characteristic impedance. Coax is
offered in 50 to 70 ohm impedance. Above all: minimize I said MINIMIZE the
number of BNC coax connections. They are lossy. You could consider low
loss type connectors but it adds to the general confusion and cost I know.
I hope you don't mean what I THINK you mean when you talk about jumpers.
NO WIRE JUMPERS!

Brian W


Hi, Brian,

Yes, when I said jumper I was referring to a short length to extend, or, in
the particular post, just use as a very short feed line, to test the antenna
(having previously proven the radio good).

I have (in the end result) either 3 or 4 connectors, depending on how you
look at it. First is at the radio. Second is at the connector which had to
be bolted, so to speak, to the bracket, as the metz antenna threads don't go
all the way through it. However, having said that, in my test which proved
the antenna and the radio, I note that the metz has a very long male inside
of it, a nylon bushing keeping the antenna feed short enough, against it,
and then the connector piece which doesn't have threads all the way through
it.

If you look at my gallery, under SSI refit, then upgrades/electronics,
you'll see the bulkhead connector I had to use to get the Metz stem long
enough to connect, and the end result on the bracket at the top of the mast.

Numbers 3 and/or 4 would be the double male adapter I had to mount to the
top of that bulkhead connector to make the metz mount on it.

HOWEVER, you've stimulated a thought which I presume would work: If I take
that nylon bushing, stick it back in the Metz, and screw the body of the
coil onto my bulkhead connector, that connector should replace the Metz stem
reducing the connectors by either one or two.

Thanks for stimulation; let me know, any of you, who find fault with that
conclusion (replace the Metz stem with the bulkhead connector).

So, if you conclude that the antenna itself should not be counted in
connectors, I'd have two - one at the radio, and the other at the antenna.

Am I correct?

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)

VHF antenna anomaly
 

I followed the URL after "See our galleries..."
I looked for SSI refit, and didn't find it.
I looked for upgrades/electronics and failed.

So I admired the generally nice quality of the pix, and gave up.

I can only suppose you were extending the center coax conductor at some
connector with a wire, in order to stretch through a bulkhead.
This is not good practice.

Brian W

Flying Pig wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "brian whatcott"
Newsgroups: rec.boats.cruising
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 7:24 AM
Subject: VHF antenna anomaly


Solid dielectric, double shield, preferably not pvc sheath which gives off
acid decay products. Choose the correct characteristic impedance. Coax is
offered in 50 to 70 ohm impedance. Above all: minimize I said MINIMIZE the
number of BNC coax connections. They are lossy. You could consider low
loss type connectors but it adds to the general confusion and cost I know.
I hope you don't mean what I THINK you mean when you talk about jumpers.
NO WIRE JUMPERS!

Brian W


Hi, Brian,

Yes, when I said jumper I was referring to a short length to extend, or, in
the particular post, just use as a very short feed line, to test the antenna
(having previously proven the radio good).

I have (in the end result) either 3 or 4 connectors, depending on how you
look at it. First is at the radio. Second is at the connector which had to
be bolted, so to speak, to the bracket, as the metz antenna threads don't go
all the way through it. However, having said that, in my test which proved
the antenna and the radio, I note that the metz has a very long male inside
of it, a nylon bushing keeping the antenna feed short enough, against it,
and then the connector piece which doesn't have threads all the way through
it.

If you look at my gallery, under SSI refit, then upgrades/electronics,
you'll see the bulkhead connector I had to use to get the Metz stem long
enough to connect, and the end result on the bracket at the top of the mast.

Numbers 3 and/or 4 would be the double male adapter I had to mount to the
top of that bulkhead connector to make the metz mount on it.

HOWEVER, you've stimulated a thought which I presume would work: If I take
that nylon bushing, stick it back in the Metz, and screw the body of the
coil onto my bulkhead connector, that connector should replace the Metz stem
reducing the connectors by either one or two.

Thanks for stimulation; let me know, any of you, who find fault with that
conclusion (replace the Metz stem with the bulkhead connector).

So, if you conclude that the antenna itself should not be counted in
connectors, I'd have two - one at the radio, and the other at the antenna.

Am I correct?

L8R

Skip

Pix Question (WAS) VHF antenna anomaly
 

"brian whatcott" wrote in message
...
I followed the URL after "See our galleries..."
I looked for SSI refit, and didn't find it.
I looked for upgrades/electronics and failed.

So I admired the generally nice quality of the pix, and gave up.

I can only suppose you were extending the center coax conductor at some
connector with a wire, in order to stretch through a bulkhead.
This is not good practice.

Brian W


Negative. Bulkhead mount, nuts on both sides of a longish connector.


Try this...

http://www.justpickone.org/skip/gall...es/Electronics

Sorry about the confusion - I'd spoken so volubly here about all that
happened in Saint Simons Island that I should have also specified 2009 refit
vs early refit...

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)
Flying Pig wrote: