Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:52:15 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Needless to say, this will prompt a long discussion on the correct way
to splice or how stupid it is to splice an ant. wire

You never splice coax without using proper connectors and a barrel
splice, all of which introduce some additional losses.

The *right* way is to cut off the original connector, shorten the
cable as needed, and install a new connector.

Wayne,

What I have learned from all of this is when I said "splice" I really
meant "cut and install a new connector", and if I can't use the proper
words, I probably am completely incapable of installing a new connector,
without dropping so much signal that it will barely reach from my helm
to the bow of my boat.

It probably won't matter, I very rarely use my VHF, so I would only know
it was not working correctly if I had an emergency and really needed a
good quality connection. Since the odds of this happening is low, I
will not worry about it.

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:45:29 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:52:15 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Needless to say, this will prompt a long discussion on the correct way
to splice or how stupid it is to splice an ant. wire
You never splice coax without using proper connectors and a barrel
splice, all of which introduce some additional losses.

The *right* way is to cut off the original connector, shorten the
cable as needed, and install a new connector.
Wayne,

What I have learned from all of this is when I said "splice" I really
meant "cut and install a new connector", and if I can't use the proper
words, I probably am completely incapable of installing a new connector,
without dropping so much signal that it will barely reach from my helm
to the bow of my boat.

It probably won't matter, I very rarely use my VHF, so I would only know
it was not working correctly if I had an emergency and really needed a
good quality connection. Since the odds of this happening is low, I
will not worry about it.


When you're on the water, and your engine dies, and call TowBoatUS on your
cell phone, and you drop your cell phone in the bilge while trying to
unscrew the fuel filter, and the tow boat guy manages to get to where you
were when you (luckily) gave your position to the operator immediately, but
the wind has blown you a few miles away, and your radio will receive but
not transmit, and you hear the towboat guy calling but he can't hear your
response, and you stand on the engine compartment waving your orange throw
cushions back and forth for a half hour, and finally the towboat guy spots
you, *THEN* you'll begin to worry about your damn radio!!


I don't worry about that, as I don't have a boat powered by either an
I/O or an eTec. :}

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:07:42 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:52:15 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Needless to say, this will prompt a long discussion on the correct way
to splice or how stupid it is to splice an ant. wire
You never splice coax without using proper connectors and a barrel
splice, all of which introduce some additional losses.

The *right* way is to cut off the original connector, shorten the
cable as needed, and install a new connector.

Is there a 'proper' manner of installing a new connector? Is there a
'proper' type of new connector to install?


Most antenna kits come with an instruction sheet. The instructions
describe in words and drawings how to attach the connector. Only minor
soldering skills are required.

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:36:20 -0500, John H.
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:27:10 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:19:25 -0500, John H.
wrote:


Oh - did I mention they are junk?

So Shakespeare is the way to go? I had to replace two of those on the
Proline. They just quit working! I could transmit maybe a quarter mile
away.

Oh oh.

Oh, oh, what???

I've actually followed this thread about antennas.
There have been two brand recommendations.
Metz and Shakespeare.
Harry and Tom both trashed the Metz.
You just trashed the Shakespeare.
Oh, oh, what brand antenna should John get?
I'm just learning. You're buying.

--Vic

"HK" wrote in message
. ..




I don't worry about that, as I don't have a boat powered by either an I/O
or an eTec. :}


In the interest of your boating safety, may I suggest this as a backup to
your cell phone?

http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/phone.html

Eisboch

Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:36:20 -0500, John H.
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:27:10 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:19:25 -0500, John H.
wrote:


Oh - did I mention they are junk?
So Shakespeare is the way to go? I had to replace two of those on the
Proline. They just quit working! I could transmit maybe a quarter mile
away.
Oh oh.
Oh, oh, what???

I've actually followed this thread about antennas.
There have been two brand recommendations.
Metz and Shakespeare.
Harry and Tom both trashed the Metz.
You just trashed the Shakespeare.
Oh, oh, what brand antenna should John get?
I'm just learning. You're buying.

--Vic


I didn't "trash" Metz. I said the one I had fell apart. It is my feeling
that VHF antennae on small boats, even on small boats as large as my
original Parker, take a hell of a beating.

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:45:49 -0400, HK wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:15:24 -0400, HK wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
"Frogwatch" wrote in message
oups.com...
Proof that this NG does some good for boaters and is not all
politics. I face the same issue in that I have an 8' antenna on my
Tolman but recently installed a bimini and have not been sure of what
to do about the antenna. Harry says his 3' antenna works fine and
clears the bimini............

I installed a 3' antenna and Icom radio on the console of a Dauntless Whaler
I had. No bimini, but I didn't want a long antenna in the way while fishing
and the short, stainless whip could be bent over under the console grab
rail, out of the way.

It worked, but didn't have nearly the range of an 8 footer mounted higher up
on a boat. As for 10 mile range? No way on mine. Maybe two at best.

Eisboch


Mine is mounted on a vertical rail on the side of my center console.
When up, it just clears the underneath of the bimini, and the bimini
clears the top of my head by at least six to eight inches, so I am
guessing the tip of the antenna is somewhere close to 7' off the deck of
the boat. It seems to work well for me, although I rarely use VHF, since
almost everyone is on cell, even the guys I chat with who are fishing on
their boats out on the bay.
Do you have this radio: IC-M604 ?

I think I like the Metz Manta 6 stainless whip antenna. It can easily be
mounted to the console.

No, I thought the IC-M504 was expensive enough. Bought all my
electronics but the fishfinder from BOE in Annapolis. Good local prices.

Harry, What's BOE? Were they cheaper than $299 for that unit?


I paid about $275.

http://www.boemarine.com/


First class operation up in annapolis. Call and ask for jim...good
prices, fast service and if you spend more than a few hundred bucks,
they usually have free shipping. Since you are in VA, no sales tax, either.

The store is worth a visit. I went up there to buy since I could not
avoid the sales tax.

Eisboch wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..



I don't worry about that, as I don't have a boat powered by either an I/O
or an eTec. :}


In the interest of your boating safety, may I suggest this as a backup to
your cell phone?

http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/phone.html

Eisboch



I like the one with the virtual wire.

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:16:55 -0400, HK wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:05:18 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:36:58 -0500, John H.
wrote:


Tom, according to the Metz website, they are used by the Coast Guard. This
is also said on other sites I've visited. See: http://tinyurl.com/22m7sy


Lowest bidder.

Oh. The guv is back to actual bids?

--Vic


Only if there isn't a close friend or relative or former employer of
Dicque Cheney available.

alt.politics? WalMart...Balls...???

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:27:10 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:19:25 -0500, John H.
wrote:


Oh - did I mention they are junk?

So Shakespeare is the way to go? I had to replace two of those on the
Proline. They just quit working! I could transmit maybe a quarter mile
away.

Oh oh.

Oh, oh, what???