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

help with vhf radio install
 

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:45:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

I think you are related to my wife.

Eisboch

I'll bet your wife would take you up on a trip to Paris.

help with vhf radio install
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:45:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

I think you are related to my wife.

Eisboch

I'll bet your wife would take you up on a trip to Paris.


Heh. We were there once. Isn't your wife also Italian?

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Strange One" wrote in message
...

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:45:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:



I think you are related to my wife.

Not to worry - it probably only a matter of Six Degrees of Separation.

Or something.

Yabut... Six Degrees of Separation doesn't make up for 37 years of
marriage.

It's in the genes ..

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"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

Sure they'll all "work". But for the most efficient system you should match
the coax impedance to radio input/output. It "does" make a difference.

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"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

Sure they'll all "work". But for the most efficient system you should
match the coax impedance to radio input/output. It "does" make a
difference.


I agree with you. But at the level you are talking about, you'd be better
off getting a SWR meter and trim your antenna to the best SWR average over
the marine VHF bandwidth. The difference, at 25 watts, will be minimal at
best, even after that.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:16:30 -0400, "ACP"
wrote:


"Eisboch" wrote in message
om...

"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.

Sure they'll all "work". But for the most efficient system you should
match
the coax impedance to radio input/output. It "does" make a difference.

That's not true at all. Impedances are meant to variable within a
range - it can't work any other way. It allows for variance in
cable/connector connectivity in addition to variances in cable
manufacture.

When your dealing with small bandwidth, it really doesn't matter.

Just trying to help. Maybe you should read up on transmission line theory.

help with vhf radio install
 

"Strange One" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:05:58 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:45:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

I think you are related to my wife.

I'll bet your wife would take you up on a trip to Paris.

Actually, no she didn't.

Mrs. Shortwave has a very good friend whose husband also hates to
travel so they go together.

Makes life easier that way.

Besides, after the Trip From Hell to Ireland a few years ago, Mrs.
Shortwave swore on a stack of bibles and anything else handy that she
would never take an overseas trip with me again. :)

Got that. Actually, I was responding to Wayne, who I know has a spouse of
similar ethnic background as mine.

Wayne ... you have my deepest .... well, Mrs.E. still lurks here .....

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"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

Sure they'll all "work". But for the most efficient system you should
match the coax impedance to radio input/output. It "does" make a
difference.


I agree with you. But at the level you are talking about, you'd be better
off getting a SWR meter and trim your antenna to the best SWR average over
the marine VHF bandwidth. The difference, at 25 watts, will be minimal
at best, even after that.

Eisboch


Power has nothing to do with SWR, it's a function of the transmission
line/antenna.

help with vhf radio install
 

Strange One wrote:
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:05:58 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:


On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:45:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


I think you are related to my wife.

I'll bet your wife would take you up on a trip to Paris.


Actually, no she didn't.

Mrs. Shortwave has a very good friend whose husband also hates to
travel so they go together.

Makes life easier that way.

Besides, after the Trip From Hell to Ireland a few years ago, Mrs.
Shortwave swore on a stack of bibles and anything else handy that she
would never take an overseas trip with me again. :)


So you really are grumpy...it's not an act?

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Just trying to help. Maybe you should read up on transmission line
theory.

Must be a new EE college grad. As Harry would say .... Y-A-W-N

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:30:36 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


Got that. Actually, I was responding to Wayne, who I know has a spouse of
similar ethnic background as mine.

Wayne ... you have my deepest .... well, Mrs.E. still lurks here .....

Whoops - sorry - got carried away.

My bad.



She's downstairs on her own computer. I am expecting a major "event" any
minute now.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Just trying to help. Maybe you should read up on transmission line
theory.

Must be a new EE college grad. As Harry would say .... Y-A-W-N

Eisboch

EE U of Illinois, 1962. And from what I've read of your posts here, I
thought you were and intelligent individual.... Y-A-W-N.

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Just trying to help. Maybe you should read up on transmission line
theory.

Must be a new EE college grad. As Harry would say .... Y-A-W-N

Eisboch

EE U of Illinois, 1962. And from what I've read of your posts here, I
thought you were and intelligent individual.... Y-A-W-N.

Well, see ... you went to the wrong school.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Just trying to help. Maybe you should read up on transmission line
theory.

Must be a new EE college grad. As Harry would say .... Y-A-W-N

Eisboch

EE U of Illinois, 1962. And from what I've read of your posts here, I
thought you were and intelligent individual.... Y-A-W-N.

Well, see ... you went to the wrong school.

Eisboch

Sorry you don't approve. In my next life I'll try to do better.

help with vhf radio install
 

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:11:29 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Heh. We were there once. Isn't your wife also Italian?

Yes indeed, and she loves Paris, spent her junior year of college near
there.

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Sorry you don't approve. In my next life I'll try to do better.


Look. I am not trying to deny the theory that is taught in school. I am
simply relating to many years of theory vs. practical experience that is not
taught in school. At marine VHF wavelengths at 25 watts the difference
between 50 ohms, 52 ohms or 72 ohms of characteristic impedance of the
transmission line is a none event in terms of transmission or reception
capacities. If you can prove otherwise, please do so.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"ACP" wrote in message
...


Sorry you don't approve. In my next life I'll try to do better.


Look. I am not trying to deny the theory that is taught in school. I am
simply relating to many years of theory vs. practical experience that is
not taught in school. At marine VHF wavelengths at 25 watts the
difference between 50 ohms, 52 ohms or 72 ohms of characteristic impedance
of the transmission line is a none event in terms of transmission or
reception capacities. If you can prove otherwise, please do so.

Eisboch

I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I have fooled around with ham radio since
1955 and actually that's where all of my "practical" experience with
antennas has been derived.

If you guys are happy with the results that you are getting, that's all that
counts.

Sorry to have interfered.

help with vhf radio install
 

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:30:36 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Wayne ... you have my deepest .... well, Mrs.E. still lurks here .....

Well, she is a little..... you know.... at times. Darn good cook
though, just wish she wasn't quite so.... you know....

Can't live with'm, can't live with out'm...

help with vhf radio install
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:30:36 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Wayne ... you have my deepest .... well, Mrs.E. still lurks here .....

Well, she is a little..... you know.... at times. Darn good cook
though, just wish she wasn't quite so.... you know....

Can't live with'm, can't live with out'm...


Obviously, she does not share your internet connection.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:17:21 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:

If you really want to avoid drilling a larger hole to accept a premade
connector, snake it around the bottom of the console using zip ties to
secure it to the deck in the corners. Your going to have to do it at
some point anyway, why not keep it out of the way, made it tidy and
neat and you will never know the difference.

Out of curiosity, what kind of antenna and mount is it?

Thanks for all the good advice. The antenna is a used Comrod AV-51.
I don't have the mount yet. Going shopping tomorrow. I will probably
get a nylon mount with a lever that I can attach to the railing. I
need something that I can fold down so that the boat fits in the
garage.

Also a question on your E-TEC. Is that oil leaking out of the air
breather at the top of the cowling? That's unusual.

I don't know what that was. If it was 2 stroke oil, it may have been
some spilled by the riggers??? There is no leakage anywhere under the
cowling. I thought maybe it was some kind of oil from when it was
shipped. Been running her just about every weekend since late March.
Good motor.

help with vhf radio install
 

"ACP" wrote in message
...


I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I have fooled around with ham radio
since 1955 and actually that's where all of my "practical" experience with
antennas has been derived.

If you guys are happy with the results that you are getting, that's all
that counts.

Sorry to have interfered.


You didn't interfer at all. You offered your technical opinion that was
appreciated.

Eisboch

help with vhf radio install
 

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:39:10 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Obviously, she does not share your internet connection.

Same connection, different computers. Fortunately she wouldn't know a
news group if she tripped over it.

help with vhf radio install
 

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 10:57:28 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:


Interesting. Did you have a tech look at it?

I'm curious because I have three E-TECS - love 'em.

It was like that when I picked it up after having it rigged at the the
shop. The owner of said shop said he didn't know what it was from.
He was the one who sold me the motor. Obviously, they should have
wiped it down after the install. The photos you see are from the same
week the motor was rigged and I hadn't wiped it down either at that
point. After wiping it off, nothing has reappeared.