Who has a digital antenna?

[Mooch]

I'm about the install a VHF into my Seahawk. I'm liking the fact that the DA has the connector already soldered on. The fact that the 529 gets good reviews doesn't hurt.

Anyways,does anyone know how big the hole needs to be for the connector to fit through?

[StickFish]

They make excellent antennas - lots of them have been installed in boats over the last couple years - I have no idea why :whistle:

Size of the hole - you got me - PM Lurking Out Loud see if he has one and can take a look at how bid the connector is.

Once correction the connector is crimped on the coax - not soldered. It is still a great connector - if you need one soldered on in the metro area drop me a line

[Jason S]

Or do a search for Stickfishes how to on soldering one on. It made a ton of improvement doing it his way when I was having radio woes. It was in the Sticky Forum.

[Mooch]

They make excellent antennas - lots of them have been installed in boats over the last couple years - I have no idea why :whistle:

Size of the hole - you got me - PM Lurking Out Loud see if he has one and can take a look at how bid the connector is.

Once correction the connector is crimped on the coax - not soldered. It is still a great connector - if you need one soldered on in the metro area drop me a line

So when their site says "soldered connections" they aren't refering to the connector?

[Mooch]

Or do a search for Stickfishes how to on soldering one on. It made a ton of improvement doing it his way when I was having radio woes. It was in the Sticky Forum.

I looked at that earlier. If I bought a Galaxy at Boaters World it would be $100+ tax. Add a soldering iron and solder and I'm probably over $125


I could just order a DA with the connector already attached and have it shipped to the house for $115.

[Mooch]

I found what I needed.

The RG-8X cable is .242"

The mini connector on the DA is essentially the same diameter.

5/16" hole should be plenty.

[Mister G.]

I found what I needed.

The RG-8X cable is .242"

The mini connector on the DA is essentially the same diameter.

5/16" hole should be plenty.

I just did this yesterday, used a 3/8" hole for just a wee bit of wiggle room. Also bought a thru-hull fitting with a rubber compression washer. Put the cable through, attached the fitting to the hull, tightened the fitting down til it held the cable solid. "wa-la!"

db

[lurking_out_loud]

The Digital 529's already have a micro connector installed so there is no soldering or tools required to make the connection to your radio. Just attach the adapter to the connector and attach to your radio. No fuss, no muss.

Call me if you need one. I have a dozen here in my shop.

-lol

[StickFish]

So when their site says "soldered connections" they aren't refering to the connector?

This refers to the construction techniques used inside the antenna. Commercially swaged or crimped connectors are very high quality devices and unless you have the proper gear it is very hard to duplicate. One telltale on a crimped connection is the solid center connector - a soldered on one needs to start out hollow.

If you are having trouble finding the tip thread here ya go

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=103092

Same thread is on Hull Truth as well.

For the Ham radio operators out there Digital has a new one that covers 134mhz through 176. I'll be putting one of these on the boat soon along with a Icom 2m rig

http://www.digitalantenna.com/prods/vhfantenna_8wideband.html