VHF Antenna Cable

[Ribtecer]

Hi Guys

Fitting a VHF to my rib and after some advice on making the cable long enough to reach from the console to the A bar.

I bought a Shakespeare 4400 antenna that only has 5 mtr of cable and I need about six mtr.

Could some knowledgeable soul point me in the right direction on where to buy more cable and what connectors I need so I can minimise the reduction of signal strength.

Thanks

Toby

[SPR]

take it back to place you bought it and get longer cable version! every connection causes loss in signal...

S.

[martini]

Originally Posted by SPR

take it back to place you bought it and get longer cable version! every connection causes loss in signal...

+1

Or even better buy one that doesn't have a cable factory fitted, makes removal/replacement much easier, eg Metz, Pacific, Comrod etc

[Alzi]

Its VHF , Use PL259 plugs and a back to back connector , However these are bulky , but any power loss will be neglagable.

You can use BNC plugs , these are smaller but more fiddly if you havent fitted them before.

The Ideal way is to strip the cables and solder the joint , But thats how the pro's do it

Either way Use RG58 , 50 ohm coax for the extension piece , Its multi-strand and flexable., and available in Black or White.

Hope this helps a little.

[Salty John]

Yes, the cable is probably RG58 which is a 5mm cable, very lossy but tolerable for short runs. So, a piece of RG58, two PL259's and a barrel connector (PL258) are required. Put a PL259 on each end of the new cable, one end goes into the radio and the other into the barrel connector. The existing PL259 goes into the other end of the barrel connector. Keep the new cable as short as possible.
RG58 has losses of 5dB per 30m. A 3dB losses halves the output power. So keep the extension as short as you can.