Cutting Coax cable?

[Shorty]

Did I read on here a while back that you can cut your VHF coax cable any lenght without harming your SWR? I remember from the CB days that they wanted you to cut only in three foot increments down to a certain lenght. I have way to much coax stored in my cabin overhead and want to shorten it and move the radio further from the depth finder. I will only need about 6 feet total if I can do this.

Thanks

[Mud Runner]

Yes, you can cut it but consult your antenna mfg for specific instructions first. Here's an excerpt from Shakespeare's website tips.The Coax: Make sure that the coax is as short and straight as possible. Make sure there are no 90-degree bends or kinks in the coax. Any additional coax that is left over can probably be cut. (Except for some models of Marine CB antennas.) If additional coax is needed, consider using a better grade of coax, depending on the run length. If adding a substantial amount of coax, consider cutting the antenna's cable, and adding an increased grade of cable for the entire run. NOTE: Consult the specifications for your antenna to see whether cutting its cable is okay.For attachment to another piece of coax, use an appropriate barrel connector (PL-258) and PL-259 connectors. Try to avoid splicing the coax bare wired. The site:



http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/antennas/tipinst.htm

[Shorty]

Thanks Mud Runner

[10%more]

VHF is close to 2 Meter Amateur radio. A "rule of thumb" is to have the coax as a base or multiple of the wavelength. 7ft.+- will work. Cut it.

[Eyeball]

My thought is to move the radio to where you want it and put what is left of the coil back up into the cabin overhead. If it's working, don't mess with it ... don't cut it unless you have to.

[jstout1]

A properly terminated transmission line will appear to be electrically infinite in length. I you cut it and do a good job on the connector and the antenna itself is good it should be no problem.

[Shorty]

Thanks all. Im cuttin it. Im tryin to get rid of interference from my fish finder so Im movin the Radio and shortening the coax as it is rolled up under a bulkhead close to the FF. I should have no problem making the solder connection as I have done many. Was just worried about the lenght / swr question.

[Shorty]

Well I didnt cut it yet. I moved the power source away from the FF and dedicated it on another stand alone Battery. I moved the coax away from the FF as far as possible and still I get the ticking from the transducer over the Radio. Anybody know about the filters they sell and where? This is a new Icom radio and I didnt have this problem with the old radio.

[Eyeball]

See here: http://www.newmarpower.com/noisefilt...isefilter.html

Also see their [Steals And Deals] web page for what I belive is a 5-watt filter for $5.

Newmar is really good stuff.

[Shorty]

Thanks eyeball. I'll check it out.

[Eyeball]

Oops! ... my typo. I believe the noise filters in the close-out section are 5-amps, not 5-watts.