SSB antenna cable runs thru SS arch

[discovery]

My SSB got 15 antenna cable runs inside my custom ss arch on the stern of my 2002 passage 456. My icom 802 seems to work ok but we're heading to the carribean this year and I want to make sure we get out from down there. I could run it outside and put stand offs on the arch if I have to ...but from an aesthetic point of view I would not really want to, any suggestions out there?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Is it the feed line to which you refer and is it coax or GTO 15 cable used as a feed line?

 

[discovery]

Is it the feed line to which you refer and is it coax or GTO 15 cable used as a feed line?

It's the cable between the tuner and the back stay antenna, GTO-15 cable

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It's the cable between the tuner and the back stay antenna, GTO-15 cable

The distinction being that coax is a true feed line rather than part of the antenna. GTO cable is actually part of the antenna. Consequently, you will have interaction between the GTO and arch. It will still work but the loss will be greater.

Ideally, the GTO should be in 'free space' as is the rest of the antenna. As a practical matter, that's impracticable on a boat with lots of metal. Your best bet would be to remove the antenna from within the arch and find some other way to route it.