At 10:07 PM 5/17/00 -0700, g w wrote: >I was able to get mine working by cutting off the old connector, cutting >another connector and wire off the end of the suction cup mount for the >rubber antenna, and using large amounts of electrical tape to stick the >center wire and the weave together.
Arghhh! Well, you've proved that the problem was in the termination (or in the deterioration of the end of the coax due to moisture absorption. But you've just replaced one problem with another two; a lousy connection and an impedance bump. At VHF, you can't splice coax without the right hardware. Though you might make a good DC connection, and even one that may half work for receiving, things break down pretty quickly as soon as you put power on it to transmit. > They still can't hear me too well but I >can hear them fine. Unfortunately, I also get the local oldies station when >pointing west (I am not kidding.) That's a SURE sign the shield is leaking signal, like a leaky pipe that allows the good stuff out and the bad stuff in. > Every once in a while I have to squeeze >the tape mess together to make contact but as long as I fly with the squelch >off so I can tell if it is working then it's no big deal. Even when it's squeezed, it's not working right. > I flew it 3 times >this evening with no troubles. I bought some no-solder screw-on connectors >at Radio Shack but they were made for cables with solid center wires. Again, not great for transmission at VHF. > I >think my splice will be okay until I get some kind of connector to go on >there. Replace the whole cable with one which has had the connectors put on by a professional. In the vibrating environment of an airplane and at VHF, it is doubtful that anything you can do in the field will be as satisfactory as one where the connectors are properly treated, soldered where they should be and swaged where they should be. Also, over time, coax deteriorates. Worst at the ends, it also absorbs moisture through the jacket and becomes just terrible. Replace the cable and both terminals with a new made-up item. Greg __________________________________________________________________________ ______ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
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