removehtml]Greetings all, I have a VHF I am adding to my 23.5 this year. The previous owner stated that her previous owner had a VHF installed. I have an antenna wire from the base of the mast going inside (just by the stairs). I even have the antenna safely stored in a locker also. However, what I don't have is a cable in the mast, or from what I can tell, a place the previous owners secured the antenna to the top of the mast. At the top of the mast I have the anchor/steaming light attached to the platform at the top of the mast, and the windex attached to the side of the mast, sticking up higher than anchor light. There is also a bolt that goes through each side of the mast (holding the pully????) At the top of the mast. So, questions for the group...... 1. Where have others mounted the antenna on the mast? If I use the bolt at the top, the antenna is only held by one bolt, and is actually in the way of the windex. 2. Can I drill my own three holes in the mast with causing damage or strength of the mast to secure the antenna? 3. I have a roller furler Jib, so I am not using the top pulley, can I use that as an exit for the antenna cable? 4. Near the base of the mast I have an exit hole (for the missing previous antenna cable I presume). I will not be able to access that hole to run the cable through unless I take off the plate at the bottom of the mast with the two very large nuts and four screws along the base of the mast. Is it safe to take this base off to get into the inside of the mast to run the cable? She is on the hard right now waiting for the snow and ice to go away at the lake, so now is the time to run and mount the antenna. Any insight you all can give me would be great. Thanks, Steve E. S/V Pegasus '93 Hunter 23.5Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
- Status
My antenna mounts on the front of the mast
on a bracket with 3 pop rivets to the mast. With the antenna on the front and the windex off the rear of the mast there is clearance. I unscrew the 36" whip from the base of the antenna for trailering. To run the coax inside the mast I took the top and bottom plates off the mast. My mast has conduit inside for wire runs, but many don't. If your mast has a "T" shaped extrusion on the inside you can install conduit on that T. I have used 1/2 inch 80 pound poly tubing for this. You can purchase it at lowes or home depot. The trick is to straighten it out with a heat gun and cut it into 6-8 ft lengths. Split it on one side and slide it onto the "T" in the mast. Run a string or small wire thru the mast first and run it thru the conduit as you install the conduit and use it to pull your wires. While you have the mast ends removed, inspect all your sheaves for wear.
on a bracket with 3 pop rivets to the mast. With the antenna on the front and the windex off the rear of the mast there is clearance. I unscrew the 36" whip from the base of the antenna for trailering. To run the coax inside the mast I took the top and bottom plates off the mast. My mast has conduit inside for wire runs, but many don't. If your mast has a "T" shaped extrusion on the inside you can install conduit on that T. I have used 1/2 inch 80 pound poly tubing for this. You can purchase it at lowes or home depot. The trick is to straighten it out with a heat gun and cut it into 6-8 ft lengths. Split it on one side and slide it onto the "T" in the mast. Run a string or small wire thru the mast first and run it thru the conduit as you install the conduit and use it to pull your wires. While you have the mast ends removed, inspect all your sheaves for wear.
I Had the Same Questions
Somwhere in the archives is my solution which also worked for others I'll look for it later and post it up here if you can't find it before I do. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/pix.tpl?folder=73176443966&sku=10572596438450682&fno=17
Somwhere in the archives is my solution which also worked for others I'll look for it later and post it up here if you can't find it before I do. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/pix.tpl?folder=73176443966&sku=10572596438450682&fno=17
Windex/antenna
You could upgrade your present Windex with the one that incorporates and antenna with it. It, also, keeps the birds from using the Windex for a perch.
You could upgrade your present Windex with the one that incorporates and antenna with it. It, also, keeps the birds from using the Windex for a perch.
My H23.5 came with an antenna..
up top on the mast, but the VHF didn't work. One night at anchor with the antenna wire banging around in the mast was enough for me to rip it out. I use hand helds now, but thought about adding another antenna. If I do, I will mount it on the aft mast crutch.
up top on the mast, but the VHF didn't work. One night at anchor with the antenna wire banging around in the mast was enough for me to rip it out. I use hand helds now, but thought about adding another antenna. If I do, I will mount it on the aft mast crutch.
Excellent advice from Soling. I'd add 2 small things.
As you pull the antenna coax through the mast, pull a thin but strong line along with it. Leave this line in the mast, attached top and bottom, to serve as a messenger line for the next time you need to run something inside the mast. Also, when you're all done, wrap the antenna-coax connector with a tape called COAX-SEAL. It's a standard product used by amateur (ham, shortwave) radio operators that completely seals the connection. It will prevent corrosion around the connector for years, and works much better than electrical tape. It's available through all of the amateur radio supply companies on the web.
As you pull the antenna coax through the mast, pull a thin but strong line along with it. Leave this line in the mast, attached top and bottom, to serve as a messenger line for the next time you need to run something inside the mast. Also, when you're all done, wrap the antenna-coax connector with a tape called COAX-SEAL. It's a standard product used by amateur (ham, shortwave) radio operators that completely seals the connection. It will prevent corrosion around the connector for years, and works much better than electrical tape. It's available through all of the amateur radio supply companies on the web.
Cable Tie Trick
Yes, that cable tie trick work very well. My PO mounted about a 10' antenna on the coaming on the aft-starboard side. The bracket allows it to angle forward for trailering. I'd actually like to install the stern rail seats one of these seasons, which would entail moving that installation. However, there are several other projects on the list ahead of that for which I already have the parts. I recently made a rule for boat improvements which prevents me from buying pieces for a new project until I'm done with the one I'm working on...
To be candid, I've never been real fond of this location to begin plus, plus the antenna itself has a crack mended with shrink-wrap. I'd like to have a masthead installation bith to make it more compact as well as better line-of-sight. Thanks for posting this question.
Yes, that cable tie trick work very well. My PO mounted about a 10' antenna on the coaming on the aft-starboard side. The bracket allows it to angle forward for trailering. I'd actually like to install the stern rail seats one of these seasons, which would entail moving that installation. However, there are several other projects on the list ahead of that for which I already have the parts. I recently made a rule for boat improvements which prevents me from buying pieces for a new project until I'm done with the one I'm working on...
To be candid, I've never been real fond of this location to begin plus, plus the antenna itself has a crack mended with shrink-wrap. I'd like to have a masthead installation bith to make it more compact as well as better line-of-sight. Thanks for posting this question.
An alternative mast silencer
Here's an alternative to the cable tie trick. I found my old post from 2004 by searching for "foam pipe insulation". Another common solution is to use 3/4" pipe insulation. I've seen it in 3 and 6 foot lengths, and is split along the sides. I drilled out the rivets of the mast foot and head and simply pushed the foam pieces up the mast over the electric wires. I had to go from both ends because the spreaders have a bar inside the mast that creates a narrow spot. You don't have to pull the elctric wires out. I had to buy a rivet gun - a whole $8.00. I got some stainless steel rivets for free, but they would cost another $5 to $10. The foam was another $10 or so.
Here's an alternative to the cable tie trick. I found my old post from 2004 by searching for "foam pipe insulation". Another common solution is to use 3/4" pipe insulation. I've seen it in 3 and 6 foot lengths, and is split along the sides. I drilled out the rivets of the mast foot and head and simply pushed the foam pieces up the mast over the electric wires. I had to go from both ends because the spreaders have a bar inside the mast that creates a narrow spot. You don't have to pull the elctric wires out. I had to buy a rivet gun - a whole $8.00. I got some stainless steel rivets for free, but they would cost another $5 to $10. The foam was another $10 or so.
Could not Find It
What I did for the masthead was to take a piece of flat aluminum stock cut it long enough for the antenna to be mounted on the front and the windex on the rear bolted flat to the top of the mast using the bolts through the masthead light to hold it on. I'll continue to look for the picture.
What I did for the masthead was to take a piece of flat aluminum stock cut it long enough for the antenna to be mounted on the front and the windex on the rear bolted flat to the top of the mast using the bolts through the masthead light to hold it on. I'll continue to look for the picture.
- Status