Replacing antenna on a C28

[Georgevb]

On our last group trip, one of the other boaters mentioned that the signal from my my new Garmin radio was becoming weaker and weaker as the boats separated apart between destinations. Up close the broadcast and receive signals were loud and clear.

Upon arrival and anchoring, I called Garmin and talked with their tech rep. It was concluded that my antenna was bad.

Now the fun part. Does anybody know if the new antenna cable can be connected to the old cable and pulled through the innards back to the radio? Otherwise I will need to make an outdoor splice at the antenna base with a waterproof BNC connection.

Thanks

 

[C Folly]

I had to replace my C28 antenna due to low hanging tree branch while trailering through town. I routed new antenna cable to radio by removing starboad wood trim. If you remove the curtain hardware, the screws holding the trim are exposed. The cable is zip-tied to the cabin wall which would make pulling new cable impossible. Good luck, a few hours labor should get the job done.

 

[Georgevb]

Thank you very much!!

 

[Automaticman865]

Hi don’t know if l’m too late , before you start if you know of a ham radio person in your area there is an antenna meter called an SWR meter. With a short jumper you can check the antenna and diagnose it before removing any cable. A friend of mine was (no pun intended) in the same boat as you and found out it was a connector and not his antenna or cable. A good radio place should know about it and hopefully have one.

Stuart

 

[Martin610]

It's very common for the connector (PL-259) to develop corrosion, loosen up etc. A crimp fit is often used in factory installations. Although I don't solder electrical connections on a boat, I make an exception for the vhf antenna. You might want to check that connection first.

 

[Georgevb]

Thanks everyone, I will look into those possibilities.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

whats everybody source for the connector ?

I think mine has corroded.

 

[chicagosam]

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Shakespeare-PL259-CP-G-Centerpin-Connector-P2406.aspx

 

[LakeErieC28]

Does anyone know the type of antenna on the 2014 C-28. Or a replacement that will work properly? I can read that it is a Glomex, but don’t know which of their offerings it is. The fiberglass at the base where it meets the stainless has started to crack. I was hoping not to have to pull a new cable but from the sounds of it, may need to.

Thanks for any help


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[Georgevb]

Howdy!!

I replaced my antenna early this spring on our 2011 C28. Its a bit of work, but it can be done. You end up snipping the old wire and leaving it lay, and route the new one through.

1. Remove the curtain and its rail from the ceiling on the starboard side.
2, Remove the screws holding up the long wood strip that the curtain rail was attached to and remove that strip. You now should be able to see where the antenna wire enters the cabin.
3. Unscrew and remove the large flat wood panel along the wall below that wood strip to expose more wire location.
4. Now the fun part. I went below the dining table and removed the long upper panel above the courtesy light, Then removed the side panel just below it. Careful there are lost of hoses and wire behind there.
5. Next open the mirror door in the head where there are fuses, and dash wiring. You can see where the current white antenna wire goes to the starboard side and towards the back of the boat where you just removed the panels underneath.
6. The next phase is to snip the old wire and leave it lay, and run the new wire.
7. install the antenna new antenna post and run the new wire through the same hole the old wire ran through. Once back inside you can see the new wire and how to route it to down below along the wall.
8. I needed some to help be get the new wire routed from below to the head area behind the mirror. So, to get that last section routed, get a long dowel or something like it and gently use masking tape to just get the wire to stay gently attached to the tip of the dowel. The plan is for you to push the dowel with the wire attached forward towards the head so your helper in the head can gently reach back through the menagerie of wires, behind the mirror and grab the antenna wire attached to the dowel tip and pull it off the dowel and back to the radio.

Good luck