VHF barrel connectors really all that bad??

[rktktpaul]

Now that my sister and her family bought a place on the shore of Lake Michigan, it looks like we'll be spending a lot more time on that big body of water. So I've decided to invest in a hard wired VHF radio with DSC hooked up to my Garmin gps unit for safety purposes. My question is regarding the antenna.

To minimize appearance, I plan on using a Shakespear 5241-R 3', 3 dB antenna mounted high on the the bimini strut using a ratchet action, rail mount. I'll fasten the coax to the strut down towards the bimini strut hinge fastened on the deck.

At times I take the bimini top completely off the boat; so a connection that is detachable is desirable. Secondly, I want a clean install; I really don't want to expose the cable inside the boat and then running it through the storage compartment. I also don't want to detach the cable from the antenna and just have it hang inside the boat when I do take the bimini off.

So what I was thinking was to drill a hole on the deck right next to the bimini strut hinge and install a mountable barrel connector and run the cable through the storage compartment to dash. That way when I take the bimini top off, I can just unscrew the coax at the connector without having to undo any connections at the antenna, and still have a clean look inside without any cable flopping around.

Anyone see any downsides? I know that any time you add a connector, you downgrade the signal - is it really that much of a concern??

Thanks for your thoughts guys!!

 

[ANYTIME]

A good quality barrel connector shouldn't create much loss at all at VHF. Just keep it out of the rain and spraying water and it will last a long time.

Sam...
Amateur Radio Station K4KAI
Amateur Extra "Classic"
Continuously licensed and active for 52 years

 

[rktktpaul]

Sam, thank you very much!!

 

[tawcat]

Re: Re3123

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Think admin needs to delete!!!!

 

[fwebster]

Where is Gary when we need him?

 

[SearayPaul]

I will take Gary's place.

You must keep that barrel dry. I am not sure how you plan on doing that. Over time water will enter the barrel and then wick down your coax causing corrison. If you do salt water boating salt also is a great oxidizer when you add a copper conductor.

If you choose to drill the fiberglass make sure you seal the glass before attach the barrel.

Murphy's law states you will never have a problem until you absoultely need that radio now.

I use a similar set up as you. I just ran the coax down the side and looped it out onto the bimini frame. Couple of tie wraps to hold the cable down. No water gets in.