Antenna coax...how to fix?

[USMCRET]

As you can see in this picture, the coax on my OTA antenna has rusted through. How does one go about fishing a new coax through the roof and into the coach?

[Bill Adams]

That is likely not going to happen. Try pulling on the coax a bit to see if you can get any more. If not, see how much you need to cut back to get a clean connection, it should not be much. I have made a new connection with just about that much coax in that same hole. If you can't get that cable to work you will need to run new line elsewhere (unless you want to pull your ceiling down). The wiring for the antenna is wired into the chassis harness so it cannot be used as a pull wire. In almost all cases where a new cable was necessary we have drilled upward from where the current power supply is through the roof and run the cable across the roof with one continuous run to the Sensar head. It's good as new and ready for another 20 years of service.

[USMCRET]

Thanks Bill. Nothing is ever as easy as I hope it will be.

[Bill Adams]

You are welcome. Good luck.

[wa8yxm]

SO were you able to pull a few inches and crimp/compress on a new end?

BTW, I have used both the standard crimp on and the new compression fittings.. And I'm sold on compression.

[Bill Adams]

I should have mentioned that I did fix a similar connection where no extra cable was available by stripping just a bit and then using a screw-on coax connection. It's the worst possible choice but compared to the other options available it really did an excellent job.

[USMCRET]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm SO were you able to pull a few inches and crimp/compress on a new end? BTW, I have used both the standard crimp on and the new compression fittings.. And I'm sold on compression.

I'll try to get to it this weekend. I put new tires on it yesterday and I'm getting ready to arm wrestle the Cummins to put new belts on. There's so much to learn and so much to do.

[YC1]

You might want to take the inside crank off and look up inside. You might be able to pull some slack once you have access there. If not then perhaps you can pull the cable back inside, clean it up and install a male connector on it. Then use a barrel connector inside that area. Run a new coax cable all the way through the hole and up the mast. Put a connector on each end and attach then seal. You will be removing the old coax that runs up the mast.

[wa8yxm]

Note you need to cut that cable back far enough for the copper to be nice and shiny. No corrosion or the results won't be pleasing. I have several hundred feed of Coax in this rig I've run in addition to what the factory put in (oh the joy)

[Batman_777]

Take it to a local cable company. They are experts with COAX connections and have everything to work with.
Might wanna call first. I've crimped a splice connection with not much to work with.