Longstory's continuing VHF thread

Forrest15112 · Mar 17, 2013

Paul, I always recommend using LMR240 on VHF runs <100'. The loss is almost the same as RG213. At 150MHz, RG213 loss is 2.8dB, while LMR240 is 3dB for the same length. Without test gear making measurements, the difference is so slight, it's not noticeable listening to the same signal. The LMR240 is .24" in diameter and you are familiar with the 213 at .405". You can use standard RG58 reducers on PL259 connectors too.

Long Story · Mar 18, 2013

Paul, Thank you for the photos as always. Yes I also thought of switching out the VHF antenna cable, but that might be for another day. Another can of worms, but has anyone added connectors to the up-mast wiring outside the boat (at the mast base) so that you don't have to disconnect everything in the bilge when you pull or lift the mast? I hate added connectors that are out of sight, but it is a pain to pull and re-pull those cables. Drilling another hole seemed like a good idea, are the holes in the tube up top all ready or did you have to grind a new one in there also? I believe it is tradition why we keep mounting our radios below in this age of water tight and water proof electronics. So yes even thought the cost was there, mine will be below again at the panel, and the RAM MIC at the helm. (but I believe I am bringing it out the engine control panel) Being the creatures of habit, look at all the years that we sailboaters have kept our chart plotters and radar below at the chart table rather then have them at the helm where we need it. That is evolving, and your right maybe the VHF coming up top is the next step in evaluation.

roncynthiaboomer · Mar 18, 2013

Through Deck Coax Connector

Long Story said:
Paul, Thank you for the photos as always. Yes I also thought of switching out the VHF antenna cable, but that might be for another day. Another can of worms, but has anyone added connectors to the up-mast wiring outside the boat (at the mast base) so that you don't have to disconnect everything in the bilge when you pull or lift the mast? I hate added connectors that are out of sight, but it is a pain to pull and re-pull those cables. Drilling another hole seemed like a good idea, are the holes in the tube up top all ready or did you have to grind a new one in there also? I believe it is tradition why we keep mounting our radios below in this age of water tight and water proof electronics. So yes even thought the cost was there, mine will be below again at the panel, and the RAM MIC at the helm. (but I believe I am bringing it out the engine control panel) Being the creatures of habit, look at all the years that we sailboaters have kept our chart plotters and radar below at the chart table rather then have them at the helm where we need it. That is evolving, and your right maybe the VHF coming up top is the next step in evaluation.

I used a GLOMEX through deck connector to allow for separating the COAX cable from the mast to the component below deck.

Bob S · Mar 19, 2013

Paul, there is room up the conduit. I used LMR400 which is also quite large at least 7/16 or 1/2" and it wasn't too bad going up the mast sharing the conduit with the Radar cable.
I did the same thing you're planning last season only I got the GX1600 and connected it to my chartplotter via NMEA0183. It doesn't have the built in GPS like the 1700 does but it gets it's fix through my charplotter. I had no room up the pedestal guard so I had to come through my steering quadrant and up the center of the pedestal with a small Beldon cable. My pedestal guard (stanchion) has a Raymarine Radar cable that's about a Ø1/2" and takes up too much room. If I did it again I would go with the LMR240 that Forrest recommended.

Long Story · Mar 19, 2013

Anyone know how to pick up the NEMA OUT signal from the Flux-gate compass and into a chart plotter? (I have a Standard Horizon CP109i) and with the addition of the Si-Tex Radar they say I also need a heading sensor. Well we have the flux-gate from the Raytheon ST4000. I've tried contacting Ray Marine :cry: no response, and I tried Standard Horizon

so my only hope is that someone has seen this before and solved it.

gpd955 · Mar 19, 2013

You may need the converter box to get the Seatalk data from the autopilot to convert to NMEA. Been spending a lot of time wiring this week!

Ray-E85001 is the model number. I think this is it: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...tNumber=313785&langId=-1&searchKeyword=E85001

Don't know if that's what you're looking for.

Forrest15112 · Mar 19, 2013

paulj said:
Forrest15112

I will look into the LMR240 cable specs and right now I was just interested in cable OD for ease of installation.

Keven

I will look into the Bellden 9913F7 coax cable specs....not sure which I will use.

The best time to test the complete setup is on a hot cloudless day..............

paulj :troll:

LMR240 is exactly that, .240 inches in diameter and very flexible. LMR400, RG213, & Belden 9913 ( RG8) are all .405 inches in diameter. The 240 is a good trade-off for size/loss. The minimal difference in cable loss is imperceivable in real world operations at these lengths and frequencies.Whatever you decide to do regarding passing the cable through your deck, be sure to seal the connectors and provide a drip loop to help prevent water from seeping into the connector. Connectors aren't waterproof or even weather resistant. I like to shrink three concentric layers of heatshrink on the connector/cable to add strength. The adhesive filled type is especially strong and adds durability. After connecting, wrap in electrical tape. The tape will last a couple of months in the weather, but to make it really last, follow up that with a wrap of butyl tape, followed by a final wrap of electrical tape. There is also self-amalgamating butyl tape that is easier to remove and not quite as sticky. It's just as good for sealing connectors and lasts longest if sealed with electrical tape too. Exposed connectors will fail.

Long Story · Mar 20, 2013

paulj said:
Where is your GPS located for your CP 109i ?

paulj :troll:

The CP109i is at the wheel, and has it's own GPS. Has worked fine so far. I was going to pick up the GPS from here to the radio (same make) but through an interesting (Long Story) I now have the separate antenna for Free so hooking that to the new VHF GPS. Even with all the information talking back and forth, I can't do a radar overlay without the heading sensor (compass). I have been told that the flux-gate talks to the Ray unit through NEMA, as it is wired separate of the Sea Talk - (hence my hope is no extra box needed.) I will look to see if I have a photo to how, I know I have the mount bracket I made so it swings around to see at the wheel or when hiding under the dodger.

Long Story · Mar 20, 2013

gpd955 said:
You may need the converter box to get the Seatalk data from the autopilot to convert to NMEA. Been spending a lot of time wiring this week!

Ray-E85001 is the model number. I think this is it: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...tNumber=313785&langId=-1&searchKeyword=E85001

Don't know if that's what you're looking for.

Thanks for the feedback - I will have to look further into this also.
Russ

pk104 · Apr 21, 2013

Paul
Hope your mast project has worked out. I hired a crane and dropped mine last year. Sure feels good when it is safely back up and everything is working.

Long Story · Apr 29, 2013

ix:

I posted this on myself to avoid the wrath... I also got my new VHF installed this weekend, and my RAM mic run as well as cleaning up the AM/FM/CD/MP3 unit. I have all the wiring run to complete the radar. So I have all sort of cuts, scrapes, and fiberglass bits in my hands for reaching and pulling to odd places. (Plus sore from bending and fitting in places that I did not think I would fit.

) The jobs went well, lots of planning and lots of great advice from this site. Plus I remembered to take progress photos to post on here... If only I had not left the camera on the boat when I came home.. Oh well next week when I go back, I owe posts. Most interesting thing was removing tons of wire that were run here, there and everywhere by PO's and were not connected to anything. Some seemed to go places where I thought, coil up and keep this could work for another project, other out, and cleaned up the electrical nicely. I'll tell you, there in no more room in the support tubes at the wheel for even a violin string.

rpwillia · Apr 29, 2013

paulj said:
Ray When was the last time you did a reflected power test on your radio antenna system? :troll:

PaulJ, You have me confused with someone who really pays attention. I pick up the mic and as long as it works and I get a response I am happy. :2cool:

rpwillia · Apr 29, 2013

Extra Wire Story

Long Story said:
... Most interesting thing was removing tons of wire that were run here, there and everywhere by PO's and were not connected to anything. ...

When I was installing my new chartplotter I ran a new one up through the post in the pedestal and then notices there was an extra wire there not really connected to anything. Then looking on the back of the VHF (to get the GPS signal to the VHF for DSC) I noticed the other end right there where I was running the new wire. Seems the PO had the same idea, but could never get the VHF to see the GPS signal (It needed an extra ground).

Long Story · May 9, 2013

This is how I ended up mounting the plotter / radar screen -- little by little you will bet photos.

Longstory's continuing VHF thread

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