Cut Furuno GPS cable by mistake - Splice questions!!?

[Northeaster]

Hi folks,

I need to splice together my older Furuno (backup) GPS antenna cable. It looks like a coax cable where it is cut, but I am not sure what type of ends would fit it, as it is thinner than house coax!

Advice please!!

[thekeip]

Don't try an exotic termination unless you're good at it; instead, put standard ring crimps on each end...including the shield...and use a small Radio Shack barrier strip to put them together.

Regarding small guage crimps... Radio Shack also sells a very small gauge butt connector for 'telephone service' in packages of 20. They're worth their weight in gold.
Howard Keiper
Berkeley

[Northeaster]

Howard - thanks for the reply. Yes, just planning on terminating each end, and then connecting with a standard "splitter box."

Do you know what type of connecter would fit the cable? ie RG6, etc .. I realize it isn't R6G, but there were many choices at the hardward / electronic store, and I didn't know which one to buy.

re: the telephony connectors, I assume you mean the "scotchlock" type, silicon filled press - togthere connectors - Yes, theye are great for splicing copper cat3, 4, 5, etc wires!! I am ver familar with copper wiring, just not coax!!!

[Gary1]

DON'T USE BUTT CONNECTORS ON A COAX!

Head for Radio Shack (or a real electronics supply house, if you know of one near you) and get two female BNC connectors and a BNC barrel connector for RG-58 (Your house TV/cable wiring is either RG-6 or RG-59 and they are both bigger than RG-58).

I'm not a fan of the screw on type BNC's, but they're infinitely better than butt splices, solder splices, etc.

If you know how to solder, try and get solder-on BNC's.

Second choice: PL-259's, which you can also get at radio shack. They're also known as 'UHF' connectors, and are the same as the connector on your VHF radio. Get two females to put on the Coax (Specify: RG-58) and a barrel connector, which looks like a plumbing 'close nipple'.

After you get them on, wrap the whole thing in cold-shrink tape to keep moisture, etc. out, unless the wire run is in a dry spot.

PM me if you need help putting the connectors on.

[Northeaster]

Gary - Thanks very much. You did catch me in time!!! I will pick up the BNC connectors, and barrel connector!

Thanks again!!

[SEMIJim]

For our Garmin 498C, which also uses a thinner RG-58 cable (it's RG-58A/U, in fact), I used Paladin coax strippers and crimpers with crimped BNC connectors. I'm at work atm, so I can't provide the part numbers. This stuff wasn't cheap, but I don't believe in doing things half-way.

Quite honestly: If you are not familiar with working with coaxial cable, particularly the thinner coaxial cables, and BNC connectors: This might best be left to somebody who is. Otherwise you're likely to find yourself out in the middle of "nowhere," in the fog, and your GPS signal all-of-a-sudden gone.

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by thekeip

Don't try an exotic termination unless you're good at it; instead, put standard ring crimps on each end...including the shield...and use a small Radio Shack barrier strip to put them together.

Howard, no offense intended, but that is about the worst advice I've ever seen given as to the repair of coaxial cable.

The proper way is two male connectors (BNC, in this instance), coupled with a "barrel" connector. Then a good taping with good (read: "3M") vinyl electrical tape.

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Gary1

I'm not a fan of the screw on type BNC's, but they're infinitely better than butt splices, solder splices, etc.

True, dat.

Originally Posted by Gary1

If you know how to solder, try and get solder-on BNC's.

These are the most difficult of BNCs to work with. Believe me: I've done more than my share of BNCs, most of them soldered-on, over the years . These days the crimp-on BNCs are generally felt to be superior, and they're significantly easier to work with. Only problem is the tools are kinda spendy.

Originally Posted by Gary1

After you get them on, wrap the whole thing in cold-shrink tape to keep moisture, etc. out, unless the wire run is in a dry spot.

Didn't know there was such a thing as a "dry spot" on a boat (Hint: I'd tape it.)

Jim

[sailingdog]

Use adhesive lined heat shrink tubing if you can get it. Far better than self-fusing tape at keeping water out.

[Northeaster]

Thanks for all of the advice. Bought the BNC connectors (for RJ58), and have heat shrink on the boat. Will do the job in the next few days!!
It is the backup GPS to my new Raymarine C80, which is excellent - so I have been lazy to fix the backup. Also have handheld garmin as 2nd backup!