Antennas... - Page 3

Bygracealone · #21 08-22-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjtronics

BGAlone,
The SP 5101 or 02 are both great, and not expensive. There are other brands also good but SP I have installed many and they are simply a standard on quality and price. The 6db gain SP are all good. The more expensive ones have better looking finish and looks, but are electrically similar. S.P. normally come with the connector NOT installed, to allow you to easily route the thin coax via a small hole. Installing the COAX connector ( CB type PL-259 ) is NOT easy, you will need a GOOD and powerfull solder iron or gun, so the HAM radio guy idea is what you want, besides, they are ALL great and very friendly guys/gals.
An 8' AM/FM is OK if you want more range, and that way you will match both sides and the boat will look even, that is what I have, but if you have strong local stations for FM, you won`t need a big AM/FM antenna. With my 8' FM antenna I can receive St. Thomas stations which play AWESOME Reggae music, from 40+ miles away, with a shorty one, that will not be possible for me.

JJ, have you ever seen these? I think they're new and were probably made because of the many complaints people have made about the difficulty of installing the connector:

http://shakespeare-marine.com/connec...ck=pl-259-cp-g

Do you think this will do the trick?

Blu_Lunch · #22 08-22-2009, 02:20 PM

That's the first time I seen those, they will do, put some coax sealant around where the coax enters the connector, so water/moisture will not get wicked in to the connector and cable and really screw up your SWR. Putting PL-259's on is not hard, a little practice and a OHM meter to make sure the braid is not shorted against the center conductor when your done soldering and your good to go.

Bygracealone · #23 08-22-2009, 02:31 PM

SWEET!

Will do Blu. Thanks for all your help.

jjjtronics · #24 08-23-2009, 10:16 AM

BGAlone,
Sorry for not answering sooner, was not at home.
I have tried a few different kinds and brands on almost any type of R.F. connector, because for the last 20 years or so, all I have done is Electronics, Communications, Avionics, and now NAV/COMM for the FAA.
This quick and easy connector DO work, well, for a while. Remember this, anytime you put two different metals in contact with each other, there will be galvanic corrosion. That is a Law in Quemistry. Nothing will stop that. So, the problem will be later, with time, the contact area between the coax inner conductor and the connector center pin, and the coax outer braid with the connector outer, will loose good conductivity, thus, signal loss. On top of that, the marine enviroment, with all the humidity and salt, will make it even worst.
That connector will work fine, I have seen they work fine, but the solder type, when properly installed will last longer than the antenna will.
A few years ago, it was required to have the Marine VHF certified by an FCC Tech, and I did a few 100`s of those checks, and one rule I had was to have a soldered connector in the coax.
If you use the quick type connector, fill it with Corrossion -X or the like before you stick the coax into it, then cover the connector with 3M rubber splicing tape #23 AFTER you install the connector in the radio.
If you can not find a HAM guy who can do that for you, go to a local radio shop and have a COMM technitian install the connector for you. Just take the antenna to him/her. Tell him to check it @ 156.800 Mhz frecuency.