PITA Glomex antenna

[Bridog]

OK, Is it just me or does anyone else here think attaching the freaking Glomex antenna is a real Pain In The A$$! Every year I try and get pissed off. I even bought that crappy tool and no luck. There has to be a better way they could have built this thing. Well... looks like another year without TV.

 

[tdschafer]

One word........Satellite!

 

[Bridog]

Todd, Thanks, but I don't watch enough TV to be worth the cost.

 

[MT Pockets]

I made a short, 12-14", connector cable. Run the connector up the tube, set it in place in the antenna. Attach the other end to the cable in the arch. Screw don the base to the arch. Not perfect, but it worked fo me.

 

[jason78]

I made a short, 12-14", connector cable. Run the connector up the tube, set it in place in the antenna. Attach the other end to the cable in the arch. Screw don the base to the arch. Not perfect, but it worked fo me.

This is what I did as well and it works great. Basically you end up with a short slack loop in the top of the arch but it makes installation of the antenna a cinch and prevents the tight bend that has been known to pull the connector loose from the end of the cable. Why Sea Ray did not just leave an extra foot in there I will never understand.

 

[HUMPH]

What problem are you having? The PO took off the Glomex so I installed a new one...no real installation issues other than returning the coax cables to the correct positions at the gain adjust.

 

[jason78]

What problem are you having? The PO took off the Glomex so I installed a new one...no real installation issues other than returning the coax cables to the correct positions at the gain adjust.

Ken, it seems on many, at least Soprt Cruisers, that were equipped at the factory with a Glomex, share a common problem. The coax is extremely tight (no slack at all) which causes the dish to be very hard to connect and get back in place without pulling the coax out of the connector. Also a number of owners have reported (including me) that when they removed the dish, it was discovered the coax had already came unseated from the connector, presumably at the factory when installed and was never really even connected to begin with. Imangine having no more than 1 or 2 inches coming out the top of the stainless mount to work with. That is the problem. Connecting another foot of cable solves the problem.

 

[tdschafer]

Ken, it seems on many, at least Soprt Cruisers, that were equipped at the factory with a Glomex, share a common problem. The coax is extremely tight (no slack at all) which causes the dish to be very hard to connect and get back in place without pulling the coax out of the connector. Also a number of owners have reported (including me) that when they removed the dish, it was discovered the coax had already came unseated from the connector, presumably at the factory when installed and was never really even connected to begin with. Imangine having no more than 1 or 2 inches coming out the top of the stainless mount to work with. That is the problem. Connecting another foot of cable solves the problem.

I discovered the same problem on mine last year when I took it off to clean it. Even though I don't use it I didn't care for the dirty look. I am removing mine this year and mounting my backup GPS/plotter antenna there.

 

[Bridog]

Thanks everyone. I was pretty upset yesterday when I wrote that. I removed the shrink wrap yesterday and saw the usual...Filthy boat, carpets thrown on top of my dash helm, Glomex removed and unable to attach, broken canvas zippers, stripped screws from the bimini pulled out of the fiberglass arch, my isenglass was put on top of each other wet, with nothing in between so they are cloudy now, etc, etc. Well... at least I got the shrink wrap off. Anyway, thanks for the ideas.

 

[skolbe]

Anytime you add another connector you weaken the signal. Sounds like your boat was not handled very well. Good luck getting it back in shape. I don't watch much TV on the boat. The Glomex works fine, but have never removed it.

 

[Alex F]

Thanks everyone. I was pretty upset yesterday when I wrote that. I removed the shrink wrap yesterday and saw the usual...Filthy boat, carpets thrown on top of my dash helm, Glomex removed and unable to attach, broken canvas zippers, stripped screws from the bimini pulled out of the fiberglass arch, my isenglass was put on top of each other wet, with nothing in between so they are cloudy now, etc, etc. Well... at least I got the shrink wrap off. Anyway, thanks for the ideas.

Brian, is this the "TOP CLASS" service you're got from MM in Brick?