Stupid stupid stupid....me

[Bigtalljv]

We'll add to the list of bone head maneuvers forgetting to put down you VHF antenna and parking under a big tree, snap.

It's a fiberglass antenna and it cracked just above the metal mounting ferrule. Just enough so it won't stay in or stand up. There are no antenna components down there just the wire passing by. Do I bust out the epoxy and fiberglass and try to fix it or drop another $160 on a new one?

Jason

[ShinyShoe]

Epoxy it...

[MustRib]

new one

[Peter_C]

Can you cut it off and glue it back in?

Otherwise enjoy your new antenna?
Shakespeare 5225 XP 8' VHF Antenna | eBay

FWIW One of the girls was driving my boat and the bridge was about 4 inches too low. Every girder went WHACK! She didn't bother letting off the throttle or stopping the boat either. Fortunately no damage other than a few scrapes. Point being don't feel bad as you are not the only one to hit something with your antenna.

[ShinyShoe]

When you say wire passing by is this a shielded wire (coax)? I assumed that's what you mean but it could be on if the elements.

If its only coax shortening or patching will make no difference to function provided its well sealed.

If its the element you can't shorten the element.. So patch becomes the only option. Beware of patching with anything metal though...

Only ever been inside one of these once and it had about 10cm dead space at the ends...

[Firefly]

Don't mess with essential life saving equipment. Buy a new one.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Firefly

Don't mess with essential life saving equipment. Buy a new one.

I would normally agree but the fibreglass bit serves no purpose other than to keep the metal bit in position and maybe keep it dry. Its not radiating the radio waves. If you remove the inside and stick it up using a piece of plastic pipe it would work just as well.

So this feels to me like replacing the buckle on a lifejacket crotch strap, rather than patching a bleeding lifejacket bladder...

[ShinyShoe]

Would be worth having a spare aerial though as you've identified that hit hard enough they break. Clobber a yacht at speed at an angle you will do the same...

[Bigtalljv]

It's just the coax in this area. I think I will call Shakespeare in the morning and see what they say. I agree it's an important piece of equipment hence the dilemma. It's not a huge cost and I'm not the first person to do it but it's always a bit annoying and embarrassing to do things like that. Especially when it's so preventable.

The larger issue is I hate my trailer and again yesterday it took 5 tries and 30 minutes to get it on and lined up. I was busy cursing my trailer and forgot to put the antenna down. Dumb

Jason

[jyasaki]

I would try regluing it (after getting your seating area clear.) I had a couple of antennas where the glue failed; I ended up drilling and screwing it to keep it from falling out.

FWIW, I drove through the Monterey tunnel with my antenna up; nobody hanked or yelled or anything; when I got back to the hotel, the antenna was an inch or two shorter. Didn't go far enough to hit the radiating element. Almost immediately, found a vinyl CapLug that fit perfectly; like it never happened.

Eventually, you'll get a routine down where you take care of trailering steps as you walk around the boat. Might draw up a list that you keep in the truck so you can mentally verify each step before getting on the road.


jky

[Bigtalljv]

Yes I has thought about a laminated checklist. I have some friends that do that.

You can see the rod cracked. It was pushed over not smacked hard. I was going about 3mph while parking. The rest if the antenna looks fine.

[Peter_C]

You could try sticking a screw driver or metal of some kind into the center hole above the cable to protect it, and cut it off with a hand hacksaw, then see if it can be refitted. Almost appears it is threaded and smaller where it mounts.

[jyasaki]

Pretty sure Shakespeares are simply glued in. They do use a pretty damn good glue though; I've never been able to replicate their bond.

As stated before, I'd have no issue with cutting the damaged part off and regluing it in the ferrule. Use a hacksaw and cut just through the glass, and you shouldn't endanger the cable. A small tubing cutter might do it as well. A small screw threaded through the ferrule and through the glass will keep it from rising back out.

jky

Pete: I do see what you're saying about the threads; I think they may be some grooves to give the epoxy some bite.

[MikeCC]

If you fix it, get hold of an SWR meter and test the rig before you go out.

[Bigtalljv]

The most amazing thing happened today, Shakespeare warrantied it!!!?

The new one will ship by the end of the week I fessed up right away that I was the dummy of the day but when they heard it was the first trip out with it the very nice lady on the phone said she could help me out.

So if anybody is looking for an antenna I highly recommend Shakespeare. I didn't think service like that existed anymore.

Jason

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

The most amazing thing happened today, Shakespeare warrantied it!!!?

The new one will ship by the end of the week I fessed up right away that I was the dummy of the day but when they heard it was the first trip out with it the very nice lady on the phone said she could help me out.

So if anybody is looking for an antenna I highly recommend Shakespeare. I didn't think service like that existed anymore.

Jason

Nice one

[jyasaki]

Pretty good customer relations. Glad it worked out for you.

jky