Masthead Antenna Cable Replacement

[Charlie]

In trouble shooting why the VHF radio didn't function I found that the antenna cable had corrodud through where it exits the mast. Possibly the cable has dropped down the mast. Maybe If I am lucky the cable is still some how still with in reach from the top of the mast.If I can get hold of the cable is it possible to pull a new cable through the liner and past all the bends? Has it ever been done that way. Is there a better way? All answeres and suggestions will be appreciated.Thank you in advance.

 

[Milton]

Antenna Problems

Charlie,It is doubtfull that you will be able to reach or retrieve the coax from the hole in the mast and It will be impossible to pull in a new length of coax through the the entire boat to the radio as there are too many bends and sharp turns. Additionally if the wiring was properly installed in the mast, then all of the wires ie. mast light, anchor light, wind instrument and deck lights is tied together with the coax. This makes for a nice bundle to go up the mast and it can be isolated so that the cable does not slap in the mast when the boat rocks. The easiest way to replace the cabeling, and maintain some simalance of sanity, is to unstep the mast. At this point I would reccommend replacing all cables, they may be about to fail from fatigue just as the coax did.Good luck

 

[Allan Hadad]

Wires up the Mast

When I rewired my H34, I had the mast pulled. The wires (lights, VHF Coax) do not go up through the mast, but rather, are behind the sail track.You access that by sliding the track out of the mast extrusion either from the bottom, or the top after removing the sheaves and cap. All of the wires are cable tied together so you can't individually pull them out. If you check the Foto Forum posting for repairing the mast step compression problem, you will see how the coax is routed inside the boat. It makes a 90 degree turn under the support beam on its way to the instrument panel. In a pinch, you might be able to fish the new wire up to the base of the mast by going under the port settee and through the lower support beam. Take off the door jamb to the head to expose the wire passage in the compression post and push it up through the overhead support beam and into the base of the mast. You might be able to grab it under the mast by taking off the sheaves and reaching inside. From there, you can connect it to a fresh piece that you drop straight down the mast. It may rattle around, but at least until you pull the mast, you will be back on the air.Good Luck,Allan"Alchemie" H34SF Bay

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the info. Based on what you wrote, I may be able to reach the cable and splice it if there isn't enough slack to pull up. This will probably not do anything to improve the SWR but I think it will do untill I pull the mast.Thanks again for the time to respond.Charlie

 

[eric linklater]

A late response

THis may be to late to help you and you may not be going this far yet any way. I recently replaced the VHF cable on my 83 h34 and upgraded the rg58 cable to an rg213 cable (an rg 8 would do too). THe reason for this is to reduce transmit attenuation. The 213 has less resistance for the length of cable needed for our boats. Its a about 3/8" diameter though but where I live distances are great between repeaters and the extra power will come in handy.Eric Linklater"Worlds Away"