VHF Deck fitting

[FourPoints]

I need to replace my VHF cable, it was originally fittted through a small hole in the deck and siliconed (it has never leaked), with a male fitting on the end and a F-F adapter which is connected to the cable coming down the mast.

I would like to clean things up a little and am considering adding this fitting on the deck for a more maintenance friendly setup where I can replace the cable without resealing anything on the deck (and it wouldn't add any additional connections that I don't already have).

http://www.go2marine.com/product/93233F/coaxial-fitting.html

Does anyone have experience with this fitting? It seems this is the only manufacturer of these out there, and there are only a couple options for where to purchase...

It's cheaper (shipping) from pleasureboatmarine.com, anyone have experience with them?

 

[Sumner]

I like that. I think you loose a little signal at each connection, but to me that would be ok considering how easy it would be to make-up new interior and exterior cables if needed down the road and just screw them on.

I'm setup a little different....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-42.html

....but while trailering and storing the boat I put, in our case, a male fitting in the connector, left arrow above, and another in the one....

....that is at the base of the mast, middle bottom arrow, to keep water out of them. In your case since the boat is probably in the water so you could skip that but if someone used the fitting on a trailered boat I'd use female fittings if the boat lives on a trailer. The fittings aren't cheap, but I did not like having to install the permanent ones on the cable itself,

Sum

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[FourPoints]

The only difference I have now from your setup is that my cable is just through a hole and silicone sealed. It doesn't have the proper deck fitting, which is what I'm trying to avoid doing. Plus I hate having that extra F-F connector between the two cables just because nobody makes a female connector for one end of the cable. If I'm going to have an extra connector there, I want it to be for something useful.

 

[DougM]

I have used a deck connecter without a problem. Bear in mind that i sail in fresh water so corrosion is not a particular issue. No leakage through the deck if properly sealed.

 

[Forrest15112]

I'm not familiar with that particular connector, but have had experience with similar barrel connectors. I like the mounting flange. It looks like you could get a good seal with it. However, it doesn't show how the barrel is sealed to the flange. You'd probably have to seal that if it's just threaded. Nuts and washers are easy to find and you could seal that part if necessary. The only other thing is it looks a little short. Is it long enough to penetrate and make a clean connetion. I don't think it would make it through the deck & headliner on my boat and still have enough to attach the male connector. May not be an issue in your case though. Those barrels can be found, without that fancy flange, in lengths up to 6 inches or longer, if you wanted to rig your own. I'd seal that rubber boot too. I wouldn't be concerned about loss in a few connectors at VHf freq's either - it's insignificant.

 

[mitiempo]

Of get one of these and keep the connection below deck where it will not have any corrosion or moisture issues.

 

[FourPoints]

I'm not familiar with that particular connector, but have had experience with similar barrel connectors. I like the mounting flange. It looks like you could get a good seal with it. However, it doesn't show how the barrel is sealed to the flange. You'd probably have to seal that if it's just threaded. Nuts and washers are easy to find and you could seal that part if necessary. The only other thing is it looks a little short. Is it long enough to penetrate and make a clean connetion. I don't think it would make it through the deck & headliner on my boat and still have enough to attach the male connector. May not be an issue in your case though. Those barrels can be found, without that fancy flange, in lengths up to 6 inches or longer, if you wanted to rig your own. I'd seal that rubber boot too. I wouldn't be concerned about loss in a few connectors at VHf freq's either - it's insignificant.

I did find a slightly cheaper straight barell connector that you can screw in place (http://www.amazon.com/Ancor-200250-Electrical-Coaxial-Bulkhead/dp/B000NI5C34, WM has it in their catalog as well), but that clearly won't be easy to seal on the deck.

The specs I found on a european site list it as waterproof / sealed at the threads so it should not leak.

As for the headliner, I need to do some measureing but I think it will be fine.

I was really hoping to hear from someone who has this connector and see how it's weatherd over time. I've never heard of Glomex before (seems they are an Italian company) so I'm not sure how high quality their products are. For what it's worth, they do claim to make "The best in marine antennas"...

 

[FourPoints]

Of get one of these and keep the connection below deck where it will not have any corrosion or moisture issues.

That would require replacing the coax in the mast also as it would not reach that far. That's a project that I do not have time for this season (plus I stored her mast up this year).