Repairing a snapped marine antenna?

[jeffinsackets]

Anyone have tips on repairing a marine antenna? Mine snapped about 2 ft from the end but wires are intact. Was going to glue, heatshrink, and duct tape.

Thanks, Jeff

[EYE SPY]

Tape the cracked sheath with electrical tape, slide a length of pvc a little longer than break. Wrap that with electrical tape, should hold up at least as a temporary fix

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[ERABBIT]

Yep what he said , did mine like that in two spots !!!

[ohyeah]

It was suggested to me to coat a piece of fiberglass mesh with 2 part epoxy glue and wrap the break. Might need a couple wraps, then paint. I'll be trying that soon.

[stinger]

New antenna cost about $50.00. How much time & money are you going to spend scabbing the broken one back together?

Here is one for $37.00 bucks > http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-5206- ... ne+antenna

[Don Supon]

IMO the radio's purpose is for communication in a safety situation. Why would you chance it with a repaired antenna? Isn't your life (or your boat) worth the $100 it costs to replace the broken one?

[180ccf]

Don't forget if it is a good antenna, the wire is wrapped inside the glass. It is wrapped with a specific length and number of twist. A good antenna is between 80 and 100 dollars. It's better to just replace it. You can always tell the good antenna from the bad, just shake it. If it makes noise put it back and get the better one. The cheap ones have a single run of coax slipped up the center, so they make noise and are crappy. If your antenna is broken you also risk the chance of blowing the output stage on your radio if the "txmit load" has been compromised.

[FISHSTALKER]

Intersting reading...... I have an 8' Shakespear that cost me $130. I chose to repair it. And yes it has a single cable running through the center. Some phylosophies get a little strange when talking about safety. If your motor broke and it needed repair, would you throw it away? Maybe that's not a fair comparison but the point is that a repair is close to new. Just because the fiberglass sheath is repaired doesn't mean the antenna is bad or will be a safety problem.

I cut a swath of glass cloth and fitted it down and around inside. Put the two part mix to it and joined the two pieces together. Good as new. But then that's just me.