What is at the top of my mast.

[rlongfield]

I have no idea what this is.
It looks like the cable coming out of the mast might attach to it but I’m not sure as there are no threads on the silver cylinder.

Please forgive any typos, the iOS app has black text on a black background for the message, white on white for the title

I’ve included some pictures. The tri mast list is connected to a separate wire.

 

[Joe]

Here you go, the image is linked to the product. You'll find your explanation there. It's a wind vane-vhf antenna combo.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Please forgive any typos, the iOS app has black text on a black background for the message, white on white for the title

I think Joe is right about the device. For the iOS issue- just go straight to the website. It works fine in Safari. Much better than the (unofficial/3rd party) app.

 

[Jacktar]

Yep cable goes to radio, that is a pl 259 connector for base of vhf antenna.

 

[dlochner]

The cable in the mast needs to be replaced. The bare shield wire should not be exposed.

If you decide to add a VHF, these instructions are about the best on how to make a new cable.

Easy VHF Terminations - Marine How To

If You Don't Know How to Solder..... If you really don't know how to solder a VHF PL259 connector there are other options as you'll see below. This one is laughable, except that when this owner needed his VHF it was no joke or laughing matter that it failed to transmit. The previous owner or...

marinehowto.com

 

[capta]

The shielding should be tinned copper, so being exposed is not a problem for the radio signal. I'd probably just use some heat shrink tape over the connection, rather than electric tape, and leave it at that unless the cable is bad. For a few bucks, if you have access to the back of the radio, a SWR (standing wave ratio) meter will tell you the condition of the cable to the antenna.

 

[rlongfield]

I think Joe is right about the device. For the iOS issue- just go straight to the website. It works fine in Safari. Much better than the (unofficial/3rd party) app.

Thanks, I assumed it was official, it's definitely unusable whether unofficial or not.

 

[rlongfield]

If you decide to add a VHF, these instructions are about the best on how to make a new cable.

Easy VHF Terminations - Marine How To

If You Don't Know How to Solder..... If you really don't know how to solder a VHF PL259 connector there are other options as you'll see below. This one is laughable, except that when this owner needed his VHF it was no joke or laughing matter that it failed to transmit. The previous owner or...

marinehowto.com

Thanks for the link

I'd probably just use some heat shrink tape over the connection, rather than electric tape, and leave it at that unless the cable is bad.

I'm going to assume the cable is bad. I tried to pull the cable out, I didn't get very far which I think is from the separation (the photo shows how far I got), what I was able to feel on the cable covering it felt brittle.

 

[rlongfield]

@Joe

Thank you, VHF antenna wasn't even a thought. wonder where the radio was located in the cabin....

 

[Jacktar]

Find the other end and tape new cable to it and use it to pull it through as replacement.