vhf ant. and speedo thingy

[heatzoneexpress]

two questions. First, can i shorten the wire to my vhf antennae? ( it is damaged where it comes out of hull and goes to ant.)<br />question two is related to something i did yesterday that almost qualifies as a stupid human trick! In my haste to get her ready for the water i am installing a new depth finder. To remove the old one and related wiring I thought i would speed things up by hacking off the old transducer so i could pull the wire through the hole in the hull. Problem is, like an idiot I cut the tube for the speedo thinking(or not) that this was the transducer. I cut it about six inches up from the sender? unit. What i want to know is can i slide a slightly larger tube over both cut ends and silicone it? will my speedo work?

 

[DJ]

Re: vhf ant. and speedo thingy

heat,<br /><br />On the speedo. Go to the auto parts store, look in the "Help" section and get a double ended vacuum nipple. The ID of the nipple doesn't have to be the same ID as the tubing.<br /><br />VHF. I've heard both sides of this debate-not sure.

 

[22WRF]

Re: vhf ant. and speedo thingy

VHF you can shorten the wire if you only need to cut a couple of inches off prob won't effect it much.<br />Too much will change your SWR that won't hurt receive but my cut down your transmit range a bit a.<br /><br />The pitot tube for the speedo. Your idea will work if you seal it real good, Since it works off vacum it has to be leak free

 

[DJ]

Re: vhf ant. and speedo thingy

heat,<br /><br />Actually the speedo (pitot tube) works off of pressure. Thus sealing it using two tubes would be difficult.

 

[Boatist]

Re: vhf ant. and speedo thingy

Heat<br />Yes you can shorten the wire and put on a new connector and it will have no affect. Real question is will it still reach the radio. Since all VHF marine antennas are half wave with a 50 ohm impedence cable length has no effect but will need to install a new coax connector. If it will not reach the radio then must put a connector on the other side as well and use a pl258 adapter to connect together. If these connectors are out in salt spray then this is a place for water to get in side coax and the connectors to corrode.