Busted ariel

Dan Gurney · 16 May 2016, 18:59

Evening all.

Last season I bust my antenna by leaving it up and towing it through a tree.

At the time I 'fixed' it with superglue and it lasted all season. First trip out his season it fell over again.

Click image for larger version

Name: IMAG0445.jpg
Views: 233
Size: 70.4 KB
ID: 112848

Click image for larger version

Name: IMAG0446.jpg
Views: 252
Size: 93.9 KB
ID: 112849

I'm thinking repair rather than replace because it's all nicely and neatly wired in and I can't see any way of detaching the antenna from the end of the cable and attaching a new one, so I'm assuming the cable comes attached to the antenna?

Pikey Dave · 16 May 2016, 19:28

Looks familiar😉 you could always cut the cable by the aerial & fit a new one & joint the cable (properly!)

Sh1t happens

office888 · 16 May 2016, 19:36

Why not change to a Metz stainless aerial?

mick · 16 May 2016, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by office888

Why not change to a Metz stainless aerial?

+1 for Metz

Dan Gurney · 16 May 2016, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

you could always cut the cable by the aerial & fit a new one & joint the cable (properly!)

I'd need some lessons on what constitutes 'properly'. I was hoping to get away without having to compromise the integrity of the whole thing by introducing cable joins etc. If that's the route I go down then I may think about a different, less breakable type of aerial.

mick · 16 May 2016, 19:53

willk · 16 May 2016, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

If that's the route I go down then I may think about a different, less breakable type of aerial.

The type that you can drag through a hedge backwards?

Dan Gurney · 16 May 2016, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

The type that you can drag through a hedge backwards?

Thats the puppy.

Poly · 16 May 2016, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Looks familiar😉 you could always cut the cable by the aerial & fit a new one & joint the cable (properly!)

Still get a 3dB loss with even a good join don't you? Best to replace.

I reckon you could repair that by slipping a couple of inches of plumbing pipe over that (whatever size the ID matches the OD best), sealing bottom and then filling the inside with epoxy resin and chopped up fibreglass. Perhaps wrapping some fibreglass tissue first depending how much space there is.

But if you need to buy stuff to do that - you'll probably be as well replacing it!

willk · 16 May 2016, 20:23

More seriously, pulling a cable on a 6.1m Redbay Stormforce should be a piece of p1ss. Detach old cable at antenna, tape on new cable end and pull through with some detergent. If you're paranoid, pull a wee nylon cable first and use that as a fish.

Redbay use those antenna for a reason - the comms are good and they look the part. Few antennae will survive a close encounter with a tree!

paintman · 16 May 2016, 20:32

Depending on what plastic it is, JB Plastic weld.
Or Poly's tube idea!

mick · 16 May 2016, 22:09

Procom have brought out a similar antenna to the Metz now. http://www.procomuk.co.uk/News-Item....&categoryID=10

Trevor G · 16 May 2016, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by office888

Why not change to a Metz stainless aerial?

+ 1 more for a Metz. Salty John does them, and one advantage is they are modular - ie proper standard connector going into the base, and a stainless whip that's easy to remove (but which is probably tree-proof anyway).

It's what I had on Blue Ray and have on Baby Blue.

Trev

Pikey Dave · 17 May 2016, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Still get a 3dB loss with even a good join don't you? Best to replace.

I reckon you could repair that by slipping a couple of inches of plumbing pipe over that (whatever size the ID matches the OD best), sealing bottom and then filling the inside with epoxy resin and chopped up fibreglass. Perhaps wrapping some fibreglass tissue first depending how much space there is.

But if you need to buy stuff to do that - you'll probably be as well replacing it!

It wouldn't have to be a join per se, the Metz, procomm & many other "quality" antennas have a pl259 male connection on the base. All Dan would have to do is cut the existing cable close to the antenna & solder on a pl 259 plug, this would connect to various makes out there. I've never been a fan of moulded in cables, they make it awkward for testing & fault finding.

Sh1t happens

Chris Caton · 23 May 2016, 10:29

we use a lot of antennas in work for radio comms for telecontrolled switchgear, any kind of joint always introduces a possible future failure, but like PD says, at least if there's a connection you can get at it to test it in future finding. we've also recently noticed that with fibreglass/resin encased antennas the outer surface is starting to break down and allow moisture into the antenna and coax. but on the bright side Dan, it's only money and if you weren't buying a new aerial you'd only be wasting it on beer n caravans 😂

Dan Gurney · 23 May 2016, 20:59

I've ordered a Metz from Salty John. Unfortunately he's on his hols so I dunno if I'll get it in time for this weekend

Dan Gurney · 25 May 2016, 12:58

Arrived yesterday so I'll be fitting that this weekend.

Pikey Dave · 25 May 2016, 13:03

That needs a nice 6" extension piece & a stainless ratchet mount.👍

Sh1t happens

Dan Gurney · 25 May 2016, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Attachment 112850

Huh?

I get that an extra 6" would be nice (story of my life) but what's a ratchet mount?

Pikey Dave · 26 May 2016, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

Huh?

I get that an extra 6" would be nice (story of my life) but what's a ratchet mount?

http://procom.dk/products/284-marifi...ix-2--adt--mbs

Allows you to drop the antenna easily for going under low headroom, eg trees😜

Sh1t happens