splicing VHF radio wire

[Zummie]

Can it be done ? My VHF antenna is broken. I have a new antenna BUT it is almost impossible to thread the wire through the pipes on the hard top. Will the radio work ok if I just cut the wire near the old antenna; cut the wire on the new antenna and splice them? What can I use to splice?

[mikehalseyjr]

VHF wire is a coaxial wire, meaning it has a center conductor and the shield of the wire is a conductor also. When you pull the old wire out, tape the new wire to the old and pull it thru. Splicing it is a bad idea in my opinion.

Mike

[Zummie]

I know that pulling the new wire through using the old wire is the proper way to do it BUT, I also know that the old wire is running through so much pipe at so many angles in a very cramped space that there is a good chance that I CAN'T pull it through and that it will get stuck halfway thus wrecking both options (cutting and splicing and pulling through).

I know it is co-axle wire like TV cable wire but they do splice and join TV cable wire so why not VHF radio wire. Does anyone know if this will interfere with the radios efficiency ? Will the radio NOT work properly if I cut and splice ?

[Scooper]

Cable TV wire and Antenna wire may look the same but they are not the same.... use RG8 if running a new line. RG6 is used for cable TV

Splicing isn't the best idea, but if done properly you should be OK. Every splice/connector results in signal loss, if you have too many or they are not done correctly, you will eventually have no signal to or from the antenna.

[Sea Sparks]

Yes and no... you can splice the cable, you would use a pair of pl259's, and a pl258. If you must do it, solder the connectors, and slide a few different sized heat shrink tubes. You need to COMPLETELY seal the connectors.

By splicing, you are dropping the effective power output 3db, (about 1/2 power).

Is there anyway you could possibly run the cable a different route??

[CaptD]

Yes and no... you can splice the cable, you would use a pair of pl259's, and a pl258. If you must do it, solder the connectors, and slide a few different sized heat shrink tubes. You need to COMPLETELY seal the connectors.

By splicing, you are dropping the effective power output 3db, (about 1/2 power).

Is there anyway you could possibly run the cable a different route??

it has to be done some times and the best way is to cut off the end and get a high dollar gold connecter end and make sure it is soldered properly and protected with liquid electrical tape.... it will be as good as new..

[Questsportfishing]

if they are that tight I would pull them back out take all need less wires out and re-route them after inspecting them for crimping or cuts.. then install a new vhf antenna.. you do have more than 1 wire run???

[Zummie]

if they are that tight I would pull them back out take all need less wires out and re-route them after inspecting them for crimping or cuts.. then install a new vhf antenna.. you do have more than 1 wire run???

Come on up and take it on....there's a great fishing trip in it for you. You have radar wires, 3 halogen spot lights, remote spot/flood light, anchor light, chart plotter antenna wires. They seem to make a lot of turns all over the place all through the hard tops frame and all come in to the center console through one pipe in one spot. I asked the guy who regularly does work on my boat abut replacing the VHF antenna and he answered AFTER LOOKING AT IT, "that job could take all day".

[Questsportfishing]

if you can move the existing cable some keep adding it and pull the new one

[Sea Sparks]

Tape it on to the Radar line. Chances are you are going to have a shit load of slack in the console. It won't break on you, and works good. I have done it hundreds of times.