help with vhf radio install
 

I have a used VHF radio and a used Comrod 4' antenna.

What type of coax cable do I need to buy?

What type connector do I need for the end going into the antenna and
into the radio? The antenna connector attaches straight into the
bottom of the antenna. (Just clarifying that because I don't know if
they are all like that)

Do I need special tools to attach the connectors?

help with vhf radio install
 

"Charlie Brown" wrote in message
...
I have a used VHF radio and a used Comrod 4' antenna.

What type of coax cable do I need to buy?

What type connector do I need for the end going into the antenna and
into the radio? The antenna connector attaches straight into the
bottom of the antenna. (Just clarifying that because I don't know if
they are all like that)

Do I need special tools to attach the connectors?

Either RG-59 or RG-6 will work fine.
The connector at the radio end is called an "HN" type. For the cable you
need a male HN.
There are crimp type and solder types. I'd recommend the solder type.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:49:40 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:


If you don't have experience with attaching or soldering antenna
connectors, what you need is to obtain a length of pre-manufactured
cable RG-58U with PL-259 connectors on either end.

You can find premade, soldered cables at AES or HRO - they are about
$30 or there abouts for 24 feet.

If you really, really want to roll your own, for about the same cost,
West Marine sells RG-58U and the connector kit - trust me, if you have
never done it before, get the premade cable.

I've been soldering RF connectors for 50 years or so and I still screw
one or two up a year.

I was planning on trying to do the connector myself in order to keep
the hole coming out of the side of my console as small as possible. I
don't have experience in attaching connectors...what about the
solderless ones?

I will likely be installing the antenna on the bow rail. Pics
available at:

http://home.sc.rr.com/linusb212/main/boat/

help with vhf radio install
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:38:23 GMT, Charlie Brown
wrote:

I have a used VHF radio and a used Comrod 4' antenna.

What type of coax cable do I need to buy?

What type connector do I need for the end going into the antenna and
into the radio? The antenna connector attaches straight into the
bottom of the antenna. (Just clarifying that because I don't know if
they are all like that)

Do I need special tools to attach the connectors?

If you don't have experience with attaching or soldering antenna
connectors, what you need is to obtain a length of pre-manufactured
cable RG-58U with PL-259 connectors on either end.

You can find premade, soldered cables at AES or HRO - they are about
$30 or there abouts for 24 feet.

If you really, really want to roll your own, for about the same cost,
West Marine sells RG-58U and the connector kit - trust me, if you have
never done it before, get the premade cable.

I've been soldering RF connectors for 50 years or so and I still screw
one or two up a year.

The Strange one is correct. RG-58U will work also. (If you can find it)
All you really need is a coaxial type lead that is in the 50-70 ohm
characteristic impedance range.

Then, you need to get a SWR meter and fine tune your antenna length. But, I
would not bother.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:38:23 GMT, Charlie Brown
wrote:

I have a used VHF radio and a used Comrod 4' antenna.

What type of coax cable do I need to buy?

What type connector do I need for the end going into the antenna and
into the radio? The antenna connector attaches straight into the
bottom of the antenna. (Just clarifying that because I don't know if
they are all like that)

Do I need special tools to attach the connectors?

If you don't have experience with attaching or soldering antenna
connectors, what you need is to obtain a length of pre-manufactured
cable RG-58U with PL-259 connectors on either end.

You can find premade, soldered cables at AES or HRO - they are about
$30 or there abouts for 24 feet.

If you really, really want to roll your own, for about the same cost,
West Marine sells RG-58U and the connector kit - trust me, if you have
never done it before, get the premade cable.

I've been soldering RF connectors for 50 years or so and I still screw
one or two up a year.

The Strange one is correct. RG-58U will work also. (If you can find it)
All you really need is a coaxial type lead that is in the 50-70 ohm
characteristic impedance range.

You really want the corrent impedance coax. Check your radio specs, it
probably calls for 50 ohm cable.


Then, you need to get a SWR meter and fine tune your antenna length. But,
I would not bother.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:38:23 GMT, Charlie Brown
wrote:

I have a used VHF radio and a used Comrod 4' antenna.

What type of coax cable do I need to buy?

What type connector do I need for the end going into the antenna and
into the radio? The antenna connector attaches straight into the
bottom of the antenna. (Just clarifying that because I don't know if
they are all like that)

Do I need special tools to attach the connectors?

If you don't have experience with attaching or soldering antenna
connectors, what you need is to obtain a length of pre-manufactured
cable RG-58U with PL-259 connectors on either end.

You can find premade, soldered cables at AES or HRO - they are about
$30 or there abouts for 24 feet.

If you really, really want to roll your own, for about the same cost,
West Marine sells RG-58U and the connector kit - trust me, if you have
never done it before, get the premade cable.

I've been soldering RF connectors for 50 years or so and I still screw
one or two up a year.

The Strange one is correct. RG-58U will work also. (If you can find it)
All you really need is a coaxial type lead that is in the 50-70 ohm
characteristic impedance range.

Then, you need to get a SWR meter and fine tune your antenna length. But,
I would not bother.

Eisboch





I installed a Horizon Eclipse VHF marine radio with a Horizon 5102 antenna
this year on my boat. I did not cut off any excess antenna cable and
soldered the cable/RG58 connection.

A friend of mine later tested the setup with his vintage Radio Shack SWR
meter and found it to be spot on!

help with vhf radio install
 

"Charlie Brown" wrote in message
...

I was planning on trying to do the connector myself in order to keep
the hole coming out of the side of my console as small as possible. I
don't have experience in attaching connectors...what about the
solderless ones?

I will likely be installing the antenna on the bow rail. Pics
available at:

http://home.sc.rr.com/linusb212/main/boat/



Like Shortwave, I've been making up transceiver connections for many years.
Every solderless (crimped) one I've done .... I butcher and end up soldering
it. Maybe it's just my technique ... or lack of.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...


You really want the corrent impedance coax. Check your radio specs, it
probably calls for 50 ohm cable.

RG-6, 58, or 59 means diddily at VHF frequencies. All will work



Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:00:49 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

The Strange one is correct.

Strange One?

Well...

You ain't exactly ordinary.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Strange One" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:37:55 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:27:48 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:00:49 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

The Strange one is correct.

Strange One?

Well...

You ain't exactly ordinary.

Ah...er...um...

Time to accept my fate I suppose.

Excuse me while I change into my Super Hero costume.

There - Much better.



I think you are related to my wife.

Eisboch