Cutting cb antenna coax, any effects?

Chris,

Each joint has the potential to cause a loss of signal however it if far easier to put a join in the co-axial under the bonnet and join it and cover it with tape. I have done this in all my vehicles for years and never had any problems with the operations of the radio.

I think there is a better chance of stuffing up the cable or connections if you pull the whole thing out again. So for my money join it under the bonnet. If you need any help with the join see the diagram in the UHF Radio article.

David

Hi Chris,
Your coax cable will not last forever, after a while it gets moisture down between the sheath and the braid and rots the braid wnere it is exposed to the air near the aerial. If the cable is older then say 5 years I would replace it, will not cost much.

.

Why not just cut the plug off at the radio end & pull it through?

Usually on UHF antennas The outer sheath is captured by a threaded sleeve and the inner wire is held by a dob of solder at the top of the antenna base.

If you melt the solder and unscrew the sleeve it all will come apart, and give you the opportunity to shorten it a bit to give a fresh bit of inner and sheath for good connections.
You just cut a new bit to correct length and resolder.

Regards Philip A

Replacing the cable assumes that you can easily get to the cable termination at the bottom of the antenna. There is an increasing number of antennas that you can't get to replace the cable. I too would recommend replacing the cable if possible.

If you can not replace the cable then do not cut and rejoin the cable (by simple means.) You can not maintain the RF continuity of the cable. Get yourself a cable plug and cable jack (male and female connectors.) BNC or TNC connectors will be a lot less lossy than the PL 259 style. Crimp these onto the cut ends (or get someone else to do it for you) and use these to connect the two bits of cable together. This will allow you to remove the antenna and bull bar easily in the event that you get caught for major repairs on your vehicle.

PeterD

When your antenna was built, the coax had to be installed - though a little more complicated than the PL259 plug on the radio end, and despite the very neat fit of some antenna parts, it should all unscrew and come apart, revealing the soldered end of the coax...... I have done mine that way, more than once.

I cut a slot through the bracket the ariel mounts on - no worries