what size nut

[bhstech]

I have a sailboat with an antenna at the top of the mast. I believe it is a Shakspeare 4200 or 5214. The type with a round can with the cable attaching at the bottom, through an L bracket and then a 3' SS whip. We are in the North and have to haul our boats every winter and take the masts down. I always just removed the whip part and leave the rest on the mast. A friend decided to help me and took off the cabling and removed the can from the L bracket and promptly drop the nut from the bottom of the L bracket in the drink. Thanks for all your help.

Spring may come someday and I need to get a new jam nut. I looked at Shakespeare and other places for replacement parts,bur of course, they want to sell me the whole assembly for between $70 to $90. All I need is the nut. One place seemed to indicate this is a 1-14 thread but I am not sure. Yes, I could go to the boat and measure the OD and guess on the thread but I was hoping someone here knows the size and maybe a source for such a thin nut. It would have to be SS or at least brass.

[Bycrick]

The thin nut that holds the antenna to the L-bracket is the same fine thread as the sleeve on a PL-259 plug. In 50+ years in radio, I’ve never, ever, seen the nuts on sale separately. The easiest thing to do is buy an SO-239 bulkhead connector, maybe $5, strip the two nuts off and throw the rest away if you don’t need it. The postage to ship the nuts from the antenna people is likely more than the cost of the nuts.

[tkeithlu]

Or get three of them for $9 from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/wlaniot-Bulkh...2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

Super answer, Bycrick.

[Bycrick]

My time isn’t worth very much anymore, but I wouldn’t waste it trying to find those nuts separately. And I’ll bet the shipping for the connectors is more than the parts.

[Spot]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHF_connector


"The coupling shell has a 5⁄8 inch 24 tpi UNEF standard thread.[4] The most popular cable plug and corresponding chassis-mount socket carry the old Signal Corps nomenclatures PL-259 (plug) and SO-239 (socket).[13] These are also known as Navy type 49190 and 49194 respectively.[14] A double-ended SO-239 connector is designated as an SO-238.[citation needed]"


Confirmed on my bench that 24 TPI is correct. Major diameter of an SO-238 adapter calipers to .610"


Might be a truck stop CB aisle find as well.

[Orion Jim]

Take a good look at your antenna if it’s several years old. It may just be time for a replacement or upgrade.

[Oeanda]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Take a good look at your antenna if it’s several years old. It may just be time for a replacement or upgrade.

Stupid question maybe but - What would we be looking for? I looked at mine recently while replacing the cable, but from my uncomfortable position it just looked ‘normal’, and in my case seems to behave normally.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by bhstech

I have a sailboat with an antenna at the top of the mast. I believe it is a Shakspeare 4200 or 5214. The type with a round can with the cable attaching at the bottom, through an L bracket and then a 3' SS whip. We are in the North and have to haul our boats every winter and take the masts down. I always just removed the whip part and leave the rest on the mast. A friend decided to help me and took off the cabling and removed the can from the L bracket and promptly drop the nut from the bottom of the L bracket in the drink. Thanks for all your help.

Spring may come someday and I need to get a new jam nut. I looked at Shakespeare and other places for replacement parts,bur of course, they want to sell me the whole assembly for between $70 to $90. All I need is the nut. One place seemed to indicate this is a 1-14 thread but I am not sure. Yes, I could go to the boat and measure the OD and guess on the thread but I was hoping someone here knows the size and maybe a source for such a thin nut. It would have to be SS or at least brass.

I don't know how far North you are,but here is one source of many:
https://canada.newark.com/mcm/27-220...tor/dp/39C0605


or just Google RF SO239 connector. / Cheers/Len

[stormalong]

Why not call Shakspeare and ask if they would throw one in the mail to you. Many companies do things like that. It is cheaper to give it away than to invoice it. Good customer service keeps customers.

[jack4566]

Originally Posted by Bycrick

I’ve never, ever, seen the nuts on sale separately.

Well today is your lucky day..

https://www.mcmaster.com/nuts/thread-size~5-8-24/

[W32PAMELA]

These nuts from data-alliance should work for you.

https://www.data-alliance.net/bulkhe...-plated-brass/

[JoetheCobbler]

Originally Posted by jack4566

Well today is your lucky day..

https://www.mcmaster.com/nuts/thread-size~5-8-24/

This made me laugh this morning, don't know why, but I needed a few, thanks.

[Bycrick]

I love McMC, but if I read that web page correctly, they’ve priced the nuts a $9-15 each, since a "package" contains one item. The other suggested source is much more interesting with the nuts and washers being specified as "corrosion resistant." At $0.61, they’re priced right, depending on how much the shipping is. But it’s still probably easier(and probably cheaper) to go to some local source, buy a fitting that includes the nut and throw the rest away. That violates my personal distaste for wastefully disposing of useful stuff, but the economics are clear in this case.

[MicHughV]

I'm constantly amazed at the resourceful folk on this forum !!!!!!

Well done !!!!!

[bhstech]

Thanks for all of the quick replies and great answers. I guess not much for sailors to do but lurk about on sailing forums and dream about warmer weather. I was considering making a nut on my 3D printer but that 24 TPI thread would be a bit tricky. But if I did that I could emboss around the OD "DO NOT REMOVE".