Charlie, better to terminate both ends with a pl259 connector and use a pl258 female to female connector to join them. Coax doesn’t splice well.
Shakespeare have a gold plated solderless connector that I’ve had good success with, that provides a minimal loss. Paul ________________________________ From: Charlie Nelson via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2022 3:21:34 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: cenel...@aol.com <cenel...@aol.com> Subject: Stus-List Mast head antenna cable Ahoy all; I had my 27 yr old rod rigging replaced this past summer. In the process, the yard cut the antenna cable (and a few others) at the base of the mast. ( The antenna wire looks to be shielded coaxial cable of a relatively small diameter--much closer to RG-51 size than RG-8 (I used to use those cables long, long ago!). Unless I replace all the cable to the masthead, which would be a big job, I prefer to just solder/crimp/ the current two ends of the cable. They are a PITA to reach under the cockpit sole but perhaps less of a PITA than having a new one installed from the antenna down to the radio. My question to the list: A recommendation of what to do (replace or splice) and if replace with what cable. This would probably take a trip up the mast to determine what that connection is, plus another to get the cable up to the antenna. If splice, with what fittings. Way back when, with a proper tool, I made up many RG-51 cables with BNC fittings (male and female) but that requires the 'crimping tool" for the male end at least. What I am hoping is a simple method or fitting that can be soldered such that both the shield and the signal wire are properly connected again with a minimum of cost and trouble while still maintaining a good continuous shield wire and a good continuous signal wire. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks, Charlie Nelson Water Phantom 1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb
