P42 VHF Masthead Cable Routing

[Jim_H42]

At the headliner below the mast base, I can see where the mast head VHF cable enters a conduit but I can't tell where it goes. Eventually it makes it to the binnacle feeding the radio.

I suspect it routes over toward the nav station, down and then across thru the step down chase to the engine compartment. But there's so many wires I can't really tell. Or perhaps it goes directly via the headliner to the engine room? Runnng a snake hasn't shed any light

Have any P42 owners with a binnicle mounted VHF figured out the routing of the masthead antenna canle? My radio isn't working well and I'm suspecting the cable needs to be replaced. Thanks

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Jim. Do you have the original Vigil radio like we do? Please define, "isn't working well". No idea on the route. Perhaps some other P42 owner has checked it out. I've never traced the route between the engine room and where the cable enters through the coach roof. I know that some wires run through that area beneath the port side port lights. Perhaps there.

 

[marcham]

Most failures are due to corrosion at the coax terminal. If this is the case and your antenna is still in good shape, the PL259 connector can be cut off and a new one soldered on to the coax. I wouldn't tackle this up the mast.... best to drop the mast or pull a new coax. Ideally you only have a single run from the antenna to the radio without any mid point connections.

 

[Jim_H42]

Thanks for the replys.

Terry - my VHF is a Standard Horizon - not the original unit. It is a relatively new and doesn't transmit or receive well with the masthead antenna. I've temporarily connected the radio up to the separate AIS antenna and it worked well. So the unit is fine.

Marcham - I agree the problem is in the mast cable. The existing cable is black and half inch diameter. At the base of the mast it connects to a smaller - perhaps 3/8 inch white cable that goes into the conduit/chase. When I decoupled that connection, water was inside the black cable. The mast needs to come down to replace the cable. Something I don't have time to do before heading to the Bahamas.

In the short term I'm considering mounting an antenna on the davit arch (opposite the AIS antenna).

I was trying to figure out the routing of that internal coax to see if there were any other options.

 

[Sailgunner]

You don't have any cable at your nav station? On my 410 that's where it goes. From my Nav station I have a conduit to the stern and from there cables run under the wheel. You're a center cockpit but Hunter probably used the same logic on your boat.
Sounds like you need a new fitting on the cable at the antenna.
Dennis

 

[Jim_H42]

Sailgunner - I've been thru the nav station and no sign of the coax. It does make sense that it would be routed to the nav for a radio there. I've pushed a snake down the mast base conduit and can't figure or where it goes. I'm sure in hindsight it will make sense.

 

[jssailem]

It makes total sense. I looked and could not find a routing in any of the manuals for the 42. We all know that boats need radios. Could it be that the radio was a dealer add on?

 

[Jim_H42]

Jssailem - I bought my boat from the original owner who told my he got it at the Miami boat. So it is a possibility the radio was installed by the dealer for the show. (I still have the mauve/ embroidered Passage 42 sheets used at the show).

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll come up with a plan.

 

[artboas]

The cable you have in the mast is RG8.
I suggest you look at options that have a tinned shield rather than copper only.
If you’ve never attached an RF connector onto coax, I suggest you get a pro.
It’s challenging to solder the braid shield properly to the connector

The correct name for these connectors is 831SP, although they are generally called PL259

There is a high quality coax RG8x, which is excellent for mast cables

You should also put on a new antenna. They are not expensive, and it gives you certainty of operation

 

[Rick]

I will just throw this in because it is not that difficult as being said here. I just recently had my standing and running re-done. I VHF, Radar, lighting, all had connections at the coach roof under the removable panel. Just unscrew and behold. Big sigh of relief the radar had a junction box, cuz cutting that would have sucked. Now if you have an issue on the coax (cable) that goes to the binnacle, that will complicate things. You cant fish anything through the headliner. Yeah and correct on if your going up to do that, replace the antenna. Another conundrum is a rigger will have trouble getting to the top because of the fractional rig. He or she may tell you to get bent. So when was the last time you did your rigging? Hehe

 

[Dan Kelly]

I have a '92 p42. Wondering what the wiring looks like in the mast? Is it bundled with wire ties? Is there a drip loop of some kind? I want to replace the wire for the wind instrument and wondering if it could be done with the rig up?

 

[Jim_H42]

Dan my 1992 P42 had the mast replaced with a Selden mast so it won't compare to yours. Maybe someone else can answer your question.

 

[Terry Cox]

I have a '92 p42. Wondering what the wiring looks like in the mast? Is it bundled with wire ties? Is there a drip loop of some kind? I want to replace the wire for the wind instrument and wondering if it could be done with the rig up?

Hi Dan. Hunter placed our 1991 mast wiring in a plastic conduit. Not aware of them using zip/wire ties to bundle them. There is a drip loop for all wires located at the mast base in order to prevent rain water from entering through the coach roof. Any rain water should drain through the weep hole located on the forward part of the mast step plate.

 

[Dan Kelly]

Thanks Terry. I wondering is the loop like a p-trap or is it just a loop of wire?

 

[jssailem]

Dan. Here is what I did on my mast rebuild to stop water from damaging the deck under the mast base. The wires come down the mast in conduit as explained by @Terry Cox. Metal conduit 6-8 inches is sealed into the base and aligned with holes through the deck. The hoses were added to the bottom of the wires aid in maintaining a curl to the wire, reduce the possibility of water seeping through the deck. The stub of wire you see were old. Cut short and sealed with 4000 caulking.

Work was accomplished in 2016. No leaks or soggy deck around the mast step.

 

[Terry Cox]

Thanks Terry. I wondering is the loop like a p-trap or is it just a loop of wire?

Shaped like a 'P' trap, Dan. You might be able to replace the wind wire without unstepping the mast, but likely will compromise the drip loop in the process. Somewhat related, our mast step was leaking through the coach roof when we purchased her in 2002. The PO tried to plug the repair from the inside using Silicone II sealant, but instead made a mess of things. Wrote an article about the repair I made several years ago, which is here: Hunter 42 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

Why do you need to replace the wire?

 

[Dan Kelly]

yes I wanted to go with a different manufacturer. Thanks for the info and the link