Coax connections at the mast

[Gene Neill]

What do my fellow trailer sailors use? We have PL-259 connectors joined by a double female. It seems like there should be a better way, one that involves only one connection rather than two. But I'm not really finding any SO-239 (female) connectors that look suitable. Am I missing something obvious?

 

[All U Get]

Make your own?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

There is no loss inherent in good quality coax connectors so just seal thoroughly to ensure no water can get in and it becomes irrelevant.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

no loss

There is a small degree of loss in every connection. However, if the contact is good it is generally acceptable (negligible) at about 0.1 db.
Whenever practical I prefer soldered connections over the piercing type. Especially at the masthead.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

There is a small degree of loss in every connection. However, if the contact is good it is generally acceptable (negligible) at about 0.1 db.
Whenever practical I prefer soldered connections over the piercing type. Especially at the masthead.

I've seen the results of testing done through a chain of 20+ good quality coax connectors plus done my own testing in my ham radio installations and the loss, if any exists, is negligible and therefore not a consideration as long as they are properly insulated from water intrusion.
The only problem with crimp connectors is there is no possible way to ensure they are properly crimped unless you destroy the connection to examine it. For anyone who knows how to properly solder them, that is the preferred method.

 

[chip veres]

The PL-259 / PL-258 / SO-239 series was designed long ago in the expectation that all cables end in plugs and all radios have sockets. And to use a PL-258 (double female) if that's not so. Cable-mount sockets are sometimes available, but they are like hen's teeth to find. The advice to completely waterproof each connection is well taken. That is more critical than the tiny loss in the PL-258.

Chip Veres
s/v Sand Dollar

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The double female thru deck is the ways to go. Send me a private message and I will send a picture of it to you as it worked well on all the boats I sold. A cap is also available too

 

[finding41]

I'm with the double female group. One tip. Tighten the heck out of the one side of that connector your not going to unscrew when you drop the mast. Never undo it again... I chose to leave the female permanently connected to the coax coming out of the deck. That means I only undo the mast connection.
Reasons... I've lost a female connection on the highway! I trailer my 26D all over Ontario and around Georgian Bay.
Another tip: Zip ties. I trailer so much that I tie rigging together with zip ties. That keeps the shrouds and cables from marking the cabin top when there flopping around at highway speed.
I reuse the zip ties as much as possible by cutting them as far away from the locking part when I step the mast. Just pull the cut part through and I've got a shorter zip tie. link a bunch together if you need longer.