So OK ... every 25 years or so I like to rewire the mast. I had forgotten that Don talked me into Slap Insurance in 1985 ... That is when you run the inside mast wires into a foam hose to keep them from slapping against the side of the mast in the waves at night, which allows to you sleep better ... DUH ...

This also means that when you decide to change your coax ... the only easy way is to do a complete rewire of the mast ... so no big deal just two wires.

Did not renew the foam hose this time. Coax was still "ok" but 25 years is pushing it a bit ... dealers installed radios then.

Vic,

The easier way is every 18" or so, put three tie-wraps 120 degrees apart and don't cut the tails. That keeps the cables from slapping against the mast, provides a space to run halyards without interference, and makes it so you can pull the cables out individually when you want.

In the last 25 years they invented cheap handheld VHF, cell and satellite phones. Is it really necessary to have an antenna at the top of the mast?

it's called physics - antenna gain based on a 1/4 wave whip and height over water. My handheld VHF doesn't hold a candle to the receive performance of the permanently installed VHF radio. Not to mention it also transmits at 5 or 25 Watts versus 1 or 5 W on the handheld.

Besides, I now have DSC capable radio that provides piece of mind for the family while cruising. Press one button for an automated distress call and the CG knows where you are and who you are instantaneously, as does other DSC equipped vessels. No lost time for localization.

Finally - I use an antenna splitter and get much better FM reception from the mast rather than the makeshift antenna on the radio.

DSC is a very strong positive ... when offshore my crew knows if anyone goes overboard ... first lift flap, press distress key the required 3 seconds. At night there is little else you can do that matches that first 3 second step.

Cell doesn't cover much off shore. Handheld barely gets 3 miles WITH FRESH BATTERIES. less than half mile low power and fresh batteries. handheld antenna is junk and since most people hold it like a cell phone the antenna can end up with directional strength in the wrong direction.

When other stations have squelch zonked up ... they will never hear low power.

Consider "off shore" 5 miles... and really not that hard to get past in an afternoon sail.

I run a marine scanner about 1/2 mile from newport harbor and there is a lot of traffic where i only hear half the conversation. I don't get much from the handhelds. That scanner antenna is 20' off the ground and I am on a hill. In Radio -- Power out the antenna is the key if you want to be heard.

WW4OK

so OK ... returning from Marco to Naples yesterday noticed on the vhf that we were getting coast guard chatter from St Pete and Lauderdale. These are ~150 miles away, but just barely readable ... this did not happen on the old coax. so 27 year old coax seems to be a problem on the receive end.

Of course the Coast Guard is not limited to 25 watts, have decently high towers, and really good antenna arrays.

Then too, there are days where VHF conditions extend way further than normal.

I'm thinking that changing Coax is probably half my previous maintenance period of 28 years ... I'm thinking every 14-15.
WW4OK