Hey all,
I need to replace my VHF cable which has significant UV damage to the exposed portion atop the mast. Unfortunately the original installer coiled the excess coax on top of the mast rather than at the base, so I don't have any "fresh" cable to pull up.
I've been looking through the forum and it seems there is a wire/cable conduit.
1) is there one single conduit (I know from one post there is at least one 2" tube in the anterior portion of the mast)?
2) is the existing coax tethered in any way inside the mast (ie have spacers or some form of mast-slap prevention) or is it free hanging in the mast?
2) I'd like to upsize from the existing RG-8X to RG-213... has anyone done this, and if so, was is possible to pull the larger diameter 213 down through the mast conduit?
I do not plan on taking the mast off at any point soon so I think I'm stuck trying to do this with the stick up.
Thanks,
Brad
S/V Escapade
2003 C36 MK2
Hull 2148
Standard rig/wing keel
Universal 35 BC
I replaced my coax earlier this season with the mast up, the job was much more simple that I expected. My boat has in mast furling. A friend helped, we had a lift truck available at the yacht club.
At the top of the mast he stripped both new and old cable ends, hooked the center conductors together and taped over the joint. As he fed cable from the top I pulled the old cable out from the bottom of the mast. We used phones on speaker to coordinate pulling and pushing. No snags, no problems.
I used Ancor RG8X, 100 feet from Amazon and had enough wire to run from the mast top antenna to the base radio mounted above the electric panel.
Denis
Brazen Article #1925
2001 Catalina 36 MKII
Thanks Denis
so- you were able to pass the connectors down the mast and out the opening? If so that gives me hope that I can pass the thicker rg-213..
S/V Escapade
2003 C36 MK2
Hull 2148
Standard rig/wing keel
Universal 35 BC
I ran bare wire down the mast and added the connector once the wire was behind the electric panel and radio.
Denis
Brazen Article #1925
2001 Catalina 36 MKII
Oh ok that makes more sense. I misunderstood your original reply. Yeah I'm not sure I'll be able to run the 213 but I'll try. Thanks
Brad
S/V Escapade
2003 C36 MK2
Hull 2148
Standard rig/wing keel
Universal 35 BC