Greetings from the PacNorWest!

My question is: what problem(s) would I have if I cut the antenna wire to my
GPS/chart plotter (Standard Horizon CP-170) and splice with a BNC connector or
equivalent? Not sure what the impact would be (loss issues) at the freq used
by GPS.

I want to relocate the antenna and don't want to pull the antenna wire. If I
could cut, relocate and splice the wire the job is soooooo much easier.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks for your time//

Charlie KB7PYF

KB7PYF wrote:
Greetings from the PacNorWest!

My question is: what problem(s) would I have if I cut the antenna
wire to my GPS/chart plotter (Standard Horizon CP-170) and splice
with a BNC connector or equivalent? Not sure what the impact would
be (loss issues) at the freq used by GPS.

I want to relocate the antenna and don't want to pull the antenna
wire. If I could cut, relocate and splice the wire the job is soooooo
much easier.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks for your time//

Charlie KB7PYF

I have a 10 meter lead spliced with a BNC connector to my GPS, and the
signals are perfectly OK.
Remove "nospam" from return address.

Cutting and splicing the cable is done all the time. Very common practice.
Just as long as you don't short the center conductor to the shield you will be
ok. Make sure if the connection is going to be exposed to weather you wrap it
in heat shrink or better yet get some 3M rubber splicing tape to seal it back
up.

P.S. Make sure the unit is turned off prior to cutting the cable (Ya never
know who you are talking too)

Regards,
Brian
Stateside Commercial Marine, Inc.
(954) 926-3665


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On 05 Aug 2004 05:09:21 GMT, (KB7PYF) wrote:

Greetings from the PacNorWest!

My question is: what problem(s) would I have if I cut the antenna wire to my
GPS/chart plotter (Standard Horizon CP-170) and splice with a BNC connector or
equivalent? Not sure what the impact would be (loss issues) at the freq used
by GPS.

I want to relocate the antenna and don't want to pull the antenna wire. If I
could cut, relocate and splice the wire the job is soooooo much easier.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks for your time//

Charlie KB7PYF

Before you do that, if you can open up your antenna easily, do that
and take a look and you'll probably find a BNC connector inside.
Possibly you can disconnect there, relocate, and reconnect with a much
simpler wire-pulling exercise. There will be losses in each connector,
so if you can avoid exta connectors you should.

You can cut it and add connectors to make a splice but you probably cannot
shorten it.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

SAIL LOCO ) wrote:
: You can cut it and add connectors to make a splice but you probably cannot
: shorten it.
: S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
: "Trains are a winter sport"

Also GPS runs on an incredibly low signal and there will be an
insertion loss for the connector which could cause loss of signal or at
least a less reliable hookup to satelites.

Philip E. (PHIL.) Sutton Edmonton, AB.

wrote in message
...
SAIL LOCO ) wrote:
: You can cut it and add connectors to make a splice but you probably
cannot
: shorten it.
: S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
: "Trains are a winter sport"

Also GPS runs on an incredibly low signal and there will be an
insertion loss for the connector which could cause loss of signal or at
least a less reliable hookup to satelites.

The slight loss from the extra connector will be compensated by the shorter
cable. Come on guys, don't be so dramatic about a properly installed
connector. The satellite signals vary more due to the radiation pattern of
the antenna.

Meindert

Shortening is not a problem at those high frequencies. I wanted to shorten
the cable on the antenna to my Garmin 162 to eliminate a bunch of extra
cable. I called Garmin. They said no problem, but it would void the warrantee
on the antenna (but not the GPS) because they had no control over the quality
of the connector and its installation. Since the unit was already off warrantee,
I went ahead and did it. Works fine, signal strength is a touch stronger.

--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message ...
You can cut it and add connectors to make a splice but you probably cannot
shorten it.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

On a simple BNC type GPS antenna, you can cut and shorten or lengthen. Be
aware that there is usually 5 VDC or in some old equipment 12 VDC run up the
coax from the GPS display to power up the electronics in the antenna sensor
unit. The GPS frequency is usually downconverted before going to the coax,
so loss is not a real big concern.
There are other GPS sensors than the coax type, such as NEMA and Raymarine
SeaTalk. Once again, be sure power has been turned off to the cable before
making cuts, splices, etc.
Opening the Antenna and looking for a BNC, SMA, or SLB connector is a good
idea, but it is a toss up on what to expect, a connector or solder to PCB.
Be sure to water proof your connection if you are in the Pacific NW to keep
the moss out. LOL
Doug K7ABX

"Chuck Tribolet" wrote in message
...
Shortening is not a problem at those high frequencies. I wanted to
shorten
the cable on the antenna to my Garmin 162 to eliminate a bunch of extra
cable. I called Garmin. They said no problem, but it would void the
warrantee
on the antenna (but not the GPS) because they had no control over the
quality
of the connector and its installation. Since the unit was already off
warrantee,
I went ahead and did it. Works fine, signal strength is a touch stronger.

--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.

Boy we have beat this one into the ground, huh NG. Just cut the cable and put
a connector on it. Don't worry about all this other stuff. If it doesn't work
then you most likely shorted it. Just ohm it out prior to tunring it on. NBFD
- Its done ALL THE TIME. If it worked before cutting it, it will work after
you put a connector on it (taking in consideration no shorts)

Brian
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