Broken Vhf Antenna

[Harry S]

Having managed to avoid breaking my arial on Poole bridge by lowering it well in advance , I have had the top taken off by a conker tree in Oxfordshire on the way home . Can I effect a repair by placing a suitably sized pen top on the end or would I be undoing some cunning design strategy where the white cap was in fact an integral part of the antenna? I am currently looking at a 1" long thick piece of copper/brass wire sticking out of the white composite tube where the tip used to be. I am sure that the length of the wire is the same as before. Looking down the tube from the top, the wire is zig-zag shaped. Or do I just need to bite the bullet and buy a new antenna at around

[Afishionado]

The problem you've got is that you can't test a repair untill the boat is in the water as I believe it is illegal to use marine VHF equipment on land (???).

I am not an expert but I think the areal length has to something to do with the wavelengths it transmit and recieves on, however if you are sure that the copper wire is the same length as before I would be tempted to make a repair by using a pen top like you said but pre-filling it with some Isopon P38 auto body filler which will set hard and encase the wire. IMO it's worth a try.

 

It is too early in the year to get conkers any way, you need to wait untill November.

 

Mad Mike

[Harry S]

Thanks Mike - that's what I think too. I'll have to test it when next on the water!

 

Regards, Harry

 

 

[plaicemat]

If it's any help, Harry, I lost the rubber tip to my aerial at a petrol station in Wiltshire (en route to Oxon)after forgetting to put it down at the end of hostilities. I imagine is what you have done. I did exactly what you have considered and have found no change in performance of the radio.

 

Terry.

 

p.s. I'll look for yours if you look for mine.

[Newboy]

Yes, it is illegal to use a vhf on land, but doubt they can trace you if you only switch it on for a few seconds, but you will need another unit to test it with. I used to do it with my handheld just to make sure the cables were connected correctly.

[Coddy]

Can I suggest that you seal the tube so that water can not enter and sit in it as this will kill the antenna as quick as anything.

Black sticky tape is a good start until you have time to make a perminant fix.

 

Coddy

[Fugazi]

Black sticky tape is a good start until you have time to make a perminant fix.

 

When my VHF aerial snapped off at the base a couple of years ago I repaired it with self amalgamating tape. It

[gaffa]

Ah the wonders of self amalgamating tape.

 

 

Is there nothing this tape can't fix

 

Personally I'm never without it and recommended its use on all external aerial and other connectors to add an extra element of waterproofing and thereby corrosion protection.

 

A super product and an absolute B$$$$R to get off .

 

Pete