What a C*CK UP! My Failed Antenna Repair Saga (4k)

How many times do I have to fix this before I realise I need to replace the whole thing?

Spoiler: PL259 failure

[svdkd]

Congrats to Loki for passing the test and getting his callsign!! Well done!! 👍

[REKlaus]

Thanks for another great video.
40+ years of electronics technician work here. I learned early on to "divided and concur" when troubleshooting. Check the input then check half way through the circuit. Then divide which half has the problem in half until you locate where the problem is. That method will save a lot of time. Also using a resistance rather than a short at the end of a cable will tell you if you have an open, short, or ok condition.
the little cheap nanoVNAs can do a reasonable job of locating the distance to a fault. I have also used a MFJ-259 to measure the distance to a fault or the length of a piece of coax. The nanoVNA can be calibrated to other impedances so is a little more useful at times.

[JeffMilton-jyes]

What I like about your channel is that you show your whole process to solve the problem. Some channels bypass the entire finding the problem phase and go right to the fix.

[AndewBarton]

hi calam nice to see your video s but it was fun to see you chase the ball like jangle all the best andy m6aia

[DonDegidio]

Hi Cal,
Congrats to Loki for passing the exam. You can put a piece of heat shrink over the coax connector until you get some self amalgamating tape for a proper waterproofing job. 73 WJ3U

[galileo_rs]

TDR (distance to fault) is really easy on the NanoVNA, just play with it using a piece of coax, you will figure it out in 5 minutes and get that plumbers silicone tape, it wont bite I promise ;) BTW it might be a good idea to put some corrugated hose in the ground and pull the coax trough it. Saves some trouble when you have to replace the coax.

[mewrongwayKOCXF]

For the price of coax, One tends to want to repair rather than replace! Awesome Callum!
👍👍👍

[daveghtfadlibaudio]

Hi Cal, the best thing I find for outdoor coax cables and connectors is self- vulcanizing tape and the red boots that are used over fire alarm solid cable over the top of the tape, I have used this method for years and never had a problem, well done anyway.

[izmgn]

Hi Callum, I suggest you use self-vulcanizing tape on the pl, vy simple also to pull out when you must disconnect the cable. Vy water proof.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos.
73, mauri

[garryhammond]

Great troubleshooting Callum! - You know where the solution lies. - Cheers!

[vkhau]

Been a subscriber from your old channel days, great work Cal.

[KOVNX]

Your turf is very healthy, eating cables like that! Speaking of eating... those sheep... "they taste bloomin' nice, as well".... I was just thinking the same thing! Great job with your process of working through one step at a time. Of course, I usually change five things at once, then when the problem is fixed I have no idea what actually fixed it, then I don't trust the five things I replaced!

[kenwoodjeff]

For connections that are exposed or have an exposed connector like on this antenna, I use 3meters of flooded coax to keep water out of the main feedline. ex. LMR-400-DB

[gtretroworld]

Oh you can’t beat a bit of white Rust. The VNA has a learning curve but what a superb tool once you get used to it.

[GoodLuckBP]

Shorts are better to troubleshoot than Noisy going open! A TDR finds those well and the shorts. Good Work. THanks for the video.

[robertmeyer]

Great video. LokI and Wendy and the 2 dogs are super ! Glaid you got it fixed for now. Yes the VNA can be used to find fault. Has a TDR feature that gives a distance to fault. Lots of tricks VNA does. Mike can help your threw that . will make a great video. Great Loki got his call ! The test is quite easy even hear in the US . Cheers from NY !

[Dallas-Rife-UDX--Tennessee]

I’ve never had anything but bad experiences with those type of connectors . As soon as I saw the thumbnail pic, I had a PTSD flashback 🤣🤣

[saxmusicmail]

Toldja already, Callum... lots of dielectric grease. If there's is no space for water, it can't get in there. 😁

[arnasundraitisLYK]

CALLUM: Let's fix this patch cable issue once and for all!
ALSO CALLUM: Why would the sheep be so yellow?
:D

[jippel]

Good video 👍very honest 👌I always blame my self 🤣just past my foundation license 🎉 cheers from down under 🇦🇺