Hi Spencer
I like LMR400 – good rigid sheath, lots of shielding and a nice fat center conductor. However, I would always make antenna runs a home run. LMR400 usually is best when using an “N” connector, which is a larger diameter connector. A PL259 and an “N” connector I always disconnect at the radio and pull the antenna coax back to the mast. I don’t have ANY splices in my antenna cable. Getting LMR400 snaked back out is a pain…I also have a separate SSB… and a 1000 watt kicker on it. So LMR 400 is pretty much a given in higher power situations. Or situations where the run is longer than 100’. Most marine applications use RG8/RG8x/RG58 etc… which is ok, but I am far less likely to recommend a union or splice or break in those smaller diameter cables… But then again, I am a radio freak. If you are putting around less than 10 miles from shore, just about any radio configuration will be workable. Offshore, I build like a tank. Here is a good article on Connector types and what is good/vs/”OK” https://www.cosjwt.com/connectors-n-vs-pl259/ Also kind of a primer on antenna types (most boats use a vertical mono-pole) https://antennaly.com/types-of-antenna/ And an article on “terminating” PL259 and COAX – not my opinion, but someone elses… I just kind of agree… https://marinehowto.com/easy-vhf-terminations/ JP S/V Alethea From: Spencer Johnson via CnC-List <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2022 1:24 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Stus-List Re: Mast head antenna cable JP: Don't you need at least one disconnect between the masthead and the VHF? Something has to give when you pull the mast.... I used LMR400 coax cable when I replaced mine and there is a connection under the saloon sole.... Spencer Johnson 84 LF38 "Alegria" # 165 Racine, WI -----Original Message----- From: J.P. via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > To: 'Stus-List' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Mon, Apr 25, 2022 2:51 pm Subject: Stus-List Re: Mast head antenna cable Charlie As someone that works with RF ALL DAY every day, my suggestion is to replace the cable. Signal loss from splices and connectors, especially in the potentially highly oxidizing / corrosive marine environments will or could eventually- and most likely – render the radio useless. Always try to make antenna to transmitter a single continuous run. Also, if you are not a “pro” at crimping cables putting your own ends on without proper tools and technique is not a good idea either. Factory cables the appropriate length are better than most handmade ones… splicing in the middle is a bad idea. As to cable - As a rule of thumb, the greater diameter the cable, the less the signal loss. And yes signal loss matters even in low power VHF applications. I prefer “quad” cables… that’s quad shielded. JP S/V Alethea C&C 43-1
