Broken end on VHF antenna

[wincrasher]

My dealer noticed that about 5" is missing off the end of my VHF antenna. We really don't know how it happened, but here's a picture of the result. I noticed the wires hanging down, but it didn't register with me that it was broken.

He's offered to put a new cap on it and says it would have a "minimal" impact on the performance.
Does this sound right? Unsure how costly or involved replacing the whole antenna would be.

 

[scross]

I just replaced mine last fall after a similar, "How did that happened??", broken antenna discovery. The antenna itself is fairly inexpensive. I picked up an 8 ft Shakespeare Centennial 5101 for $52 at Amazon. This antenna gets good reviews and has a 6 db gain.
The old antenna base just unscrews from the ratchet mounting bracket (1" by 14 thread). The hard part of the replacement process is snaking all the new antenna coax down behind the spice cabinet in the galley (you take the spice cabinet off) then forward to the helm. I decided it was too tight to get the new antenna coax forward and had a professional install a BNC connection from the existing antenna coax from the helm to connect with the new antenna coax. The BNC connection is now behind the spice cabinet. Signal strength checked out fine with the extra BNC connection and the new antenna is a bit higher quality than the stock unit.
The BNC connection will make it very simple to change out the antenna if there is even another problem.
Hope that helps!

 

[wincrasher]

Thanks!

I'm kind of amazed that something like this can be broken so easily. If I did it, you'd think I would have realized it at the time. I was unsure if they disconnected at the base of the antenna or there was more to it - great idea on the BNC connector BTW.

Think I'll see how the "repair" goes first and then decide if I need a new anteanna.

 

[harry ames]

If your technical people are competent, you won't notice any change in performance. But, for 50 Bucks, I'd just replace it. The BNC is very practical and I can't believe any manufacturer/installer would not have put one in at the original installation.

 

[bill46]

I use my antenna to sense bridge height seems to flex well without wear. . We have four 17 foot bridges and R31CB mast is 15.5 ft. Antennas are cheaper than mast. BNC Excellent, I prefer crimped to soldered. We had thousands in our TV station, and I use then as quick disconnects from in my Ham station to 1500 watts.

 

[Scuffy]

Just replace the antenna would be my suggestion. No sense trying to save money now. The only way to really save money is to sell your boat right now. :mrgreen:

 

[wincrasher]

Just replace the antenna would be my suggestion. No sense trying to save money now. The only way to really save money is to sell your boat right now. :mrgreen:

My dealer repaired it by putting on a new tip. The internal wires were not compromised. Cost was $0.

 

[bill46]

I use my antenna to sense bridge height seems to flex well without wear. . We have four 17 foot bridges and R31CB mast is 17.5 feet. I lay the mast back with extended front guy wires to lower about a foot, and adjusted the antenna a couple of inches higher. Antenna clears, ok to proceeded! Antennas are cheaper than mast.

BNC Excellent, I prefer crimped to soldered. We had thousands in our TV station, and I use then as quick disconnects from in my Ham station to 1500 watts.