Update on Radar Problem

[Ed Haley]

A few posts ago, I mentioned I had a problem with my radar unit that wasn't scanning. No line appeared on the screen which was apparently functioning properly. The marina who stepped my mast had contact with the radome when they lifted the mast with a line.

A friend went up the mast and removed the radome cover and everything appeared physically functional. The scanner was turning but no scan line appeared on the screen. I figured it might be the cable inside the mast at the deck level. Here, a pin is inserted through the mast to hold the mast in position. I remember the crew pounding on the pin and wondered if the wire was damaged by the incredibly incompetent marina crew. I feel incompetent for allowing them to continue.

Anyway, I removed the staysail exit plate about 7 feet above the deck and fished out the cable after disconnecting the wires belowdecks. Sure enough, the cable was almost split in two by physical abuse of pounding on the pin impinging on the radar cable. The wire Mike Thorpe talked about was really smashed. I tried resplicing the cable, soldering, and improvising on the shielding. I put everything back in place and felt confident I had remedied the problem. But no luck. No scan line. At one time, though, I saw a very brief short scanning line for just an instant. Nothing after.

Now, I wonder if the magnetron is inoperative. I tried resetting software triggers but no difference. I guess i now will have the scanner removed, brought to a shop and tested. Maybe even replace the cable since the installation manual frowns on splices (not sure why).

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ONT

What do you think, Larry, Mike T., John R., anyone else?



eghaleyNOSPAM@twcny.rr.com

[Ken Coit]

Ed,

If the yard will promise to fix whatever needs to be repaired, you could promise not to post their name to this and other relevant boards. If that fails, I would spend the rest of my energy on convincing them that their attorney's fees are going to be much greater than their cost to repair the radar. If that fails, have your attorney convince them.

Good luck,

Ken

A few posts ago, I mentioned I had a problem with my radar unit that wasn't scanning. No line appeared on the screen which was apparently functioning properly. The marina who stepped my mast had contact with the radome when they lifted the mast with a line.

A friend went up the mast and removed the radome cover and everything appeared physically functional. The scanner was turning but no scan line appeared on the screen. I figured it might be the cable inside the mast at the deck level. Here, a pin is inserted through the mast to hold the mast in position. I remember the crew pounding on the pin and wondered if the wire was damaged by the incredibly incompetent marina crew. I feel incompetent for allowing them to continue.

Anyway, I removed the staysail exit plate about 7 feet above the deck and fished out the cable after disconnecting the wires belowdecks. Sure enough, the cable was almost split in two by physical abuse of pounding on the pin impinging on the radar cable. The wire Mike Thorpe talked about was really smashed. I tried resplicing the cable, soldering, and improvising on the shielding. I put everything back in place and felt confident I had remedied the problem. But no luck. No scan line. At one time, though, I saw a very brief short scanning line for just an instant. Nothing after.

Now, I wonder if the magnetron is inoperative. I tried resetting software triggers but no difference. I guess i now will have the scanner removed, brought to a shop and tested. Maybe even replace the cable since the installation manual frowns on splices (not sure why).

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ONT

What do you think, Larry, Mike T., John R., anyone else?

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Mike Thorpe]

Ed,

I would have a new cable put in and insist that the yard that stepped the mast pay for it. If they don't want to pay for it go with Ken's suggestion.

Good luck,
Mike

A few posts ago, I mentioned I had a problem with my radar unit that wasn't scanning. No line appeared on the screen which was apparently functioning properly. The marina who stepped my mast had contact with the radome when they lifted the mast with a line.

A friend went up the mast and removed the radome cover and everything appeared physically functional. The scanner was turning but no scan line appeared on the screen. I figured it might be the cable inside the mast at the deck level. Here, a pin is inserted through the mast to hold the mast in position. I remember the crew pounding on the pin and wondered if the wire was damaged by the incredibly incompetent marina crew. I feel incompetent for allowing them to continue.

Anyway, I removed the staysail exit plate about 7 feet above the deck and fished out the cable after disconnecting the wires belowdecks. Sure enough, the cable was almost split in two by physical abuse of pounding on the pin impinging on the radar cable. The wire Mike Thorpe talked about was really smashed. I tried resplicing the cable, soldering, and improvising on the shielding. I put everything back in place and felt confident I had remedied the problem. But no luck. No scan line. At one time, though, I saw a very brief short scanning line for just an instant. Nothing after.

Now, I wonder if the magnetron is inoperative. I tried resetting software triggers but no difference. I guess i now will have the scanner removed, brought to a shop and tested. Maybe even replace the cable since the installation manual frowns on splices (not sure why).

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ONT

What do you think, Larry, Mike T., John R., anyone else?

mthorpe@capecod.net

[Larry DeMers]

Ed,
Sorry, just caught this msg. Well, you could splice the cable, using a good RF splice on the coax which would minimize the loss due to reflections at that splice...or you could put in a new cable and be done with the problem. I vote for the second option myself.

If you decide to try the RF splice again..let me know, and I will write up a procedure for you. Been a ham radio op since I was 14.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer

A few posts ago, I mentioned I had a problem with my radar unit that wasn't scanning. No line appeared on the screen which was apparently functioning properly. The marina who stepped my mast had contact with the radome when they lifted the mast with a line.

A friend went up the mast and removed the radome cover and everything appeared physically functional. The scanner was turning but no scan line appeared on the screen. I figured it might be the cable inside the mast at the deck level. Here, a pin is inserted through the mast to hold the mast in position. I remember the crew pounding on the pin and wondered if the wire was damaged by the incredibly incompetent marina crew. I feel incompetent for allowing them to continue.

Anyway, I removed the staysail exit plate about 7 feet above the deck and fished out the cable after disconnecting the wires belowdecks. Sure enough, the cable was almost split in two by physical abuse of pounding on the pin impinging on the radar cable. The wire Mike Thorpe talked about was really smashed. I tried resplicing the cable, soldering, and improvising on the shielding. I put everything back in place and felt confident I had remedied the problem. But no luck. No scan line. At one time, though, I saw a very brief short scanning line for just an instant. Nothing after.

Now, I wonder if the magnetron is inoperative. I tried resetting software triggers but no difference. I guess i now will have the scanner removed, brought to a shop and tested. Maybe even replace the cable since the installation manual frowns on splices (not sure why).

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ONT

What do you think, Larry, Mike T., John R., anyone else?

demers@sgi.com