Extending the cable on vhf antenna

[deb]

Does anyone know if this causes a loss in signal or strength? The antennae has a long lead, about 2m but to hide it through the hull and mount the unit nearer the console I need another 2m, or faced with a complete swap of the 27mg unit and its antenna to the vhf side of the boat which is a major job trying to avoid

[ShaneJ]

You will loose a bit of the receive sensitivity and some TX power, but nothing you will notice in the real world.
Depending on the antenna and base you have, you are best replacing the complete cable! If this is not possible, just make up and extension coax cable using good quality coax and connectors.
What type of connector is on the end of the current antenna cable? If its a PL259 connector your best cutting that off and crimping on a BNC or N-Type.
Where abouts are you located? If you need help let me know and i'll make up a cable for you.

[deb]

That would be great, will send pm

[ribbit]

check with manufacture 1st. I sell Gme and if you cut the cable on 27mhz you lose heaps.

[ShaneJ]

check with manufacture 1st. I sell Gme and if you cut the cable on 27mhz you lose heaps.

Just so happens I sell GME and repair them too

[steveg1100]

THe less connections the better I think you should change the coax cable with another of 4 metre length. Will also work out cheaper.

[deb]

Just an update
used a pl259 cable joiner and on Friday without it, logged 5 + 5 to Bne Coastguard from Cape Moreton (low)
On Saturday connected the extension and returned 3 + 4 back. (low)
A bit of a loss, but not too bad really, probably the max of the (low) range, flicked over to high and could listen much more clearly Moolooba and Seaway and all vmr's & cg's in between.
Cheers

[Mr__Bean]

..... flicked over to high and could listen much more clearly Moolooba and Seaway and all vmr's & cg's in between.
Cheers

Hmmmm, I thought the high / low settings only affected transmission power, how do they affect reception???

- Darren.

[deb]

Thought that too, that it would simply power a stronger signal out, but the simple line of sight rule comes into play somehow. But it definately makes a difference with this set.
Cheers