Radome cabling in mast

[Vitesse473]

I am close to kicking off my project to add radar to my B473. I noticed that inside the mast there are two pipes for running cables for the mast head instruments and lights. What is puzzling is that about 10 feet above the deck, the pipes end and another set of pipes begin. The only problem is that these pipes are offset to the higher ones, making it appear impossible to simply run the radome cable down the mast and into the cabin. I assume this is done so water doesn't run down the pipes to the bottom of the mast. However, is it at all possible to install the radome without removing the mast?

[sailingdog]

Vitesse473-

They're cabling conduits, and I'd have to ask if the steaming light on the mast is located about where the gap between the upper conduits and lower conduits are located. I doubt they were offset to prevent water running down, since the water would probably follow the cables across the gap.

If the gap is about where the steaming light is located, and I am betting it is, you can probably remove the steaming light and fish a coat hanger or wire through the mounting point where the cables for it come out to guide the radome cable from the upper to the lower conduits.

[Vitesse473]

Sailingdog - The conduits are about 10 feet off the deck and 5 or so below the steaming light. I just happened to notice while peering into one of the halyard openings that the conduit stops, then starts again a couple of inches away. The problem lies in that I'd have to somehow make two 90 degree turns in the radar cable. Seems impossible whether the mast is up or down.

Thanks for your feedback!!

[sailingdog]

Hmm... that's going to make wiring the radome a bit more interesting. How far up the mast is the radome located??

[Vitesse473]

It will be atleast 20 feet higher than the spot where the conduits are separated. It's a full rig with a 55' mast.