Antenea

[Lt.Mike]

last year I posted about this antenna wondering what would be a good replacement but it was determined that this was actually good high end model so I decided to stay with it.
Now I was going to give it a fresh coat of white epoxy and found a 4” crack running vertically. It’s small but I wonder if it says there’s corrosion underneath in the copper windings?
Not looking for a reason to swap it out but this doesn’t seem good.

 

[seasick]

You can't tell by looking at it right now. The crack may or may not cause moisture to get in. Depending on where you keep your boat, the crack may be stable or may end up with more damage due to freeze thaw cycles. Unless you use a SWR meter, you can't tell is the signal has degraded either. Assuming it works, the signal could still be reduced.

I would keep my eye out for sales on antennas and if a deal pops up, replace it.
On a different note, that is one long antenna. Do you know if the entire length is an active element or just the top section. In that case, the crack may be much less of an issue if it is in the lower section.

 

[Lt.Mike]

You can't tell by looking at it right now. The crack may or may not cause moisture to get in. Depending on where you keep your boat, the crack may be stable or may end up with more damage due to freeze thaw cycles. Unless you use a SWR meter, you can't tell is the signal has degraded either. Assuming it works, the signal could still be reduced.

I would keep my eye out for sales on antennas and if a deal pops up, replace it.
On a different note, that is one long antenna. Do you know if the entire length is an active element or just the top section. In that case, the crack may be much less of an issue if it is in the lower section.

It’s a 9’ antenna and no I don’t know if it’s entire length is active.
I’ll have to check into that.

 

[Lt.Mike]

This is the antenna # 5399 galaxy

Search Results for “5399” – Shakespeare Marine Antennas

shakespeare-ce.com

I may reach out to them to see if they can provide an answer.

 

[Fishtales]

I like the Digital antennas.

 

[Doc Stressor]

I'm almost certain that the lower part is just an extension rather than an active antenna. I cracked one open many years ago that looked a lot like yours. It was hollow and contained only an insulated coax cable that ran up to the junction where the tip is connected. The junction looked like a coaxial choke, which would suggest that the cable running through the lower part of the antenna is not designed to transmit or receive. Check with Galaxy for sure, but I'd bet that crack can just be sealed without affecting performance.

 

[glacierbaze]

Agree with Doc. Put some white, adhesive lined, heat shrink tubing over it, maybe one just longer than the crack, and then a longer overlap.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Cool thank you.
White heat shrink ?
Where can I find white and this is at least 1” diameter ?

 

[glacierbaze]

Google is your friend. Here is the first one to pop up, a 4 foot length.

3:1 Adhesive Lined Heatshrink Tubing

Dual wall adhesive lined heat shrink tubing is ideal for producing strong, permanent, weathertight seals on any heat shrink installation.

www.wirecare.com

 

[Lt.Mike]

Google is your friend. Here is the first one to pop up, a 4 foot length.

3:1 Adhesive Lined Heatshrink Tubing

Dual wall adhesive lined heat shrink tubing is ideal for producing strong, permanent, weathertight seals on any heat shrink installation.

www.wirecare.com

Found some on eBay too. Guessing it’s got a dull finish though. Guess that doesn’t matter.