Pete — I did this last spring; and I’m one of the ones you’re “hearing” about LMR-400 cable. LMR-400 has tight specs, so you’re likely seeing different variations in connectors or manufacturers; but all the LMR-400 cable should be identical in performance, with the exception of the highly-flexible variant (UF) and direct-burial (DB — which you shouldn’t need for the boat — if you do, you have bigger issues to deal with…).
You can purchase the cable raw and get the field-installable non-solder Times Microwave EZ-400-UM connectors. These are easy to install; not quite as simple as the Shakespeare Center-pin connectors that Dennis mentioned, but Shakespeare doesn’t make connectors for LMR-400. The other thing you can do (what I did in my case) is to make the hole in the mast large enough for the PL-259 connectors; then use a Cable Clam as strain relief and to provide weather protection to the large hole. This worked great; and I ordered the LMR-400 cable pre-terminated on Amazon by these guys, who build to MIL-SPEC: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Antenna-Genuine-Transmission-Connector/dp/B005DUXWMU/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1484518381&sr=8-25&keywords=lmr-400 <https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Antenna-Genuine-Transmission-Connector/dp/B005DUXWMU/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1484518381&sr=8-25&keywords=lmr-400>. They can make whatever length you need. For VHF antennas, the Metz and GAM are popular; I went with a Digital Antenna 222-VW antenna: http://www.digitalantenna.com/prods/vhfantenna_3.html <http://www.digitalantenna.com/prods/vhfantenna_3.html> — Fred Fred Street -- Minneapolis S/V Oceanis (1979 C&C Landfall 38) -- on the hard in Bayfield, WI :^( > On Jan 15, 2017, at 12:19 PM, kelly petew via CnC-List > <[email protected]> wrote: > > Belated HNY, Listers, > I am having the standing rigging [rod] on my '91 30-2 re-done [hopefully, > re-headed]. > > Now that the mast is down, I am looking to replacement of all the wiring and > running rigging. > Regarding the VHF cabling, I am "hearing" that "LMR-400" is superior to other > alternatives. > So, I checked Amazon and, of course, found "LMR-400", but there appear to be > several varieties to choose from. > Or, perhaps, it's simply different terminal fittings on the same cable. I > can't tell. > In any event, I would appreciate any feedback on which cabling to use. I > need about 44 ft. > > And also, any thoughts on installation "best practices". It would seem I'll > need to cut one end in order to get it up the mast. Does this make sense? > I would prefer NOT to have to cut and re-solder, but that seems to be > unavoidable. > Also, should I replace the interior cabling -- from the mast to the radio -- > as well? > > And finally, any thoughts on the best antenna to use? > > Thanks!!!! > > Pete W. > Siren Song > C&C 30-2 > Deltaville, Va. > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish > to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
