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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/09/2009 :  16:20:04  Show Profile
Can some of you electronic guru's explain how a coax cable functions and any simple QA/QC checks. I dropped my mast to attend to a couple of projects only to discover my old coax cable at the deck connector was in really sad shape. I replaced the cable (RG8x)and argued with the PL259 connectors for a couple of hours. I've cruised the web for info but little on QC. Isn't there some quick continuity check I can perform before connecting the VHF? Any faux pas's to avoid in making a connection? What about use of dielctric grease at the deck connector? tia
Gerry Livingston, Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 06/09/2009 :  16:40:40  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
There should be no continuity between the inner & outer connections. How you would test the system itself is something I'd like to know.

I know exactly what you mean with the PL259 connectors, they can be a bear to deal with.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 06/09/2009 :  16:56:29  Show Profile
All you can do with your VOM is check continuity of the inner conductor (short one end of the conductor to the shield and check continuity at the other end) and verify that the conductor isn't shorted to the shield. Unless you have a radio/electronics background, you aren't likely to have the equipment or understand the results of more comprehensive testing. As long as the circuit is intact on those two parameters, plug it in and see if it works.
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johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts
Response Posted - 06/09/2009 :  19:14:40  Show Profile
<font color="blue"><font size="5"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Ask around maybe you have a friend with a BIRD WATT METER so they can check your forward and reverse power.
Otherwise check continuity with volt meter after working on fittings is mandatory at least.

The tech editor Nautiduck will supply you with a sketch.



paulj</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="size5"></font id="blue">
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5379 Posts
Response Posted - 06/10/2009 :  20:56:15  Show Profile
One thing to look out for on coax cable is a bad kink in the cable. The kink can affect the RF characteristics (botch up your VSWR) and cause reflections that can cut your transmitted power.

A kink can also cause the inner conductor to snap and disconnect. If possible, before raising the mast again, temporarily short the inner and outer conductor together at the antenna end, and check connectivity from the far end. You should have about zero ohms.

Before reconnecting the coax to the antenna, unshort the end, and hook it up to the antenna. Then, once you have everything hooked up again, do a radio check on Channel 9 and channel 68. With a 25 Watt unit, you should be able to transmit better than 10 miles (if the antenna is tall enough).

If you cannot get a response, the Bird Watt Meter is a really good idea.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.