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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Antenna Kit

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Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/06/2005 : 10:22:42

I need to replace the antenna and coax cable in the mast as well as the through-deck connector for my VHF. I've been looking at the antenna kit and antenna mounted Windex from Catalina Direct for this.

Is there any reason I should not buy this kit frim CD? Any reason I should buy pieces individually from a marine store?

Rich

Cerberus
Hull #4695
1984 SR/FK No Pop-Top

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 10:34:36

Coincidently, I'm headed to West Marine today with a printout for a [url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295760|69543&id=70642"]VHF antenna with 60' of coax from Defender[/url].

West Marine price $90.00

Defender price $53.00

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 11:15:12

I got an antenna kit from CD a few years ago for my C22. No instructions, and solder on coax connections from Ancor. VHF cable is very difficult to solder, and the Ancor rep agreed with me. For my C25 I bought individual pieces and parts. I used the Shakespeare gold centerpin connectors. Some of the antennas which come with cable have small gague antenna wire. I used RG8x, instead of the RG58, which is smaller gague (I think I got those numbers right) Check your Casey book, or the Ancor website for wire sizing.

Edited by - on

ngrinich
1st Mate

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28 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 15:50:05

I just recently bought a 87 Catalina fin keel standard rig, but there is no antenna or VHF on board. I've looked at the CD kit that has the coax going from the masthead down to and through the deck via a water-tight gland (gasket) and then ending in a PL 259 connector. For derigging and trailering, one loosens the deck gasket and pulls the cable with connector out through the 0.75" hole in the deck and ring.Is this a good way to go or should I look for a deck connector for the PL 259 that would screw on and off (similar to how one removes the mast wiring harness)? As I move towards getting the boat in the water, I really appreciate all the helpful tips from everyone on the forum. Thanks, Nick

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 21:46:10

ngrinich,

Get a connector that screw off. I instlled a simple stainless one when I bought my 88 TR new and it hasn't given me any problems. I keep it serviced of course. Just be sure to remove it when you drop the mast. It should be a checklist item.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2005 : 11:19:32

Al,
Do you have a link to which connector you use? I have three thru-deck connectors that have two pins with slots through the middle that plug into their female counterparts and are sealed with a rubber boot. The connectivity for this plug is maintained by the slot through the pins which is supposed to allow compression pressure on the pin when plugged in. The problem with that setup is the pins are brass and do not retain the outward spring pressure for any length of time. This has led to some interesting situations with my auto-pilot. I need to get rid of those puppies. Picture below of my curent connector.
Joe

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2005 : 11:51:46

Has anyone used a cable clam for the VHF coax?

If so, any problems?

I thought having the connector below decks would prevent corrosion from occuring like that on my current above deck connector.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2005 : 19:18:26

I have been looking for a deck-mount 259 plug to avoid putting the cable through the deck (the one there has been trashed and I have no reason to believe the new one will not either). Here is what I have found so far is bulkhead all-thread connectors (would need to be sealed in place somehow) [http://www.buxcommco.com/RFconnectors.htm] check the middle of the page, one to 12 inches. Once you 5200 that baby in place, it should be pretty secure.

All other panel-mount connectors seem to be very shallow and require soldering the back.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 Al,
Do you have a link to which connector you use? I have three thru-deck connectors that have two pins with slots through the middle that plug into their female counterparts and are sealed with a rubber boot. The connectivity for this plug is maintained by the slot through the pins which is supposed to allow compression pressure on the pin when plugged in. The problem with that setup is the pins are brass and do not retain the outward spring pressure for any length of time. This has led to some interesting situations with my auto-pilot. I need to get rid of those puppies. Picture below of my curent connector.
Joe

Edited by - on

Bay Tripper
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2005 : 19:30:54

Don, I used the cable clam for putting coax cable on my boat. I also used silicome sealant in the hold just in case as added protection. After one year it is still working fine and no leaks.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2005 : 19:41:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">(the one there has been trashed and I have no reason to believe the new one will not either)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Nadi, how is it getting trashed? Does it get smashed by something, or is it corrosion?

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2005 : 20:14:50

Sorry, I meant the cable is trashed from movement (the jacket and the ground weave are almost gone). The female barrel plus the two male connectors weigh quite a bit and that should move the cable around underway. The connectors have minimal corrosion on the outside but otherwise look good.

I wanted to put a deck/panel FR connector instead of the compression fitting (which is fine, BTW. No leaks, no complaints there) so the cable only carries its own weight.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Happy D
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">(the one there has been trashed and I have no reason to believe the new one will not either)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Nadi, how is it getting trashed? Does it get smashed by something, or is it corrosion?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2005 : 23:06:18

dlucier,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Has anyone used a cable clam for the VHF coax?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, that's what I use. I'm located in a very corrosive environment. So far, I haven't had any problems with the Cable Clam. I recommend it.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2005 : 10:22:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmosteller
 Don, I used the cable clam for putting coax cable on my boat. I also used silicome sealant in the hold just in case as added protection. After one year it is still working fine and no leaks.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson
 dlucier,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Has anyone used a cable clam for the VHF coax?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, that's what I use. I'm located in a very corrosive environment. So far, I haven't had any problems with the Cable Clam. I recommend it.

-- Leon Sisson
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Then cable clam it is!

Thanks Dick and Leon for the info!

Oh, one more thing...Do you remember what size clam you used? .680" or .834"?

Thanks.

Edited by - dlucier on 03/09/2005 11:04:51

Bay Tripper
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2005 : 08:08:01

Don, I used the small .68 for the coaxial cable and the large one to bring several cables up through the fuel locker.

I put electric for my GPS, cable for external mic, and the wire for my solar panel.

Both have worked great to solve a wiring problems.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2005 : 09:13:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmosteller
 Don, I used the small .68 for the coaxial cable and the large one to bring several cables up through the fuel locker...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Cool...Thanks!

Edited by - on

Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2005 : 17:57:40

Is there something special about the coax cable sold by marine suppliers such as Westmarine and BoatUS? Radio Shack sells 50' of RG8X coax for about $35.00. Westmarine has it on their website for $62.99. Isn't it the same stuff, or do the marine chandleries actually do something to their coax cable to make it "marine grade?"

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2005 : 20:22:27

Marine grade cable (like Ancor)has tinned wire to help prevent corrosion. Maybe the radio shack cable is too. Of course things always seem to double in price if it says "marine" or boating.

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seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2005 : 21:22:14

I was going to get the CDirect kit as well but will go with the Defender $53 antenna that Don mentions. It's essentially the same, without their ty wraps and mount that takes the Windex into account. I can always make a longer L bracket to keep the antenna whip out of the Windex. Dunno why I have a Windex anyway...if I'm sailing too close to the wind, the main lets me know by luffing. Don, unless WM is conveniently located to you, I wouldn't waste my time arguing with them...simply buy from the lowest bidder. Bob

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