VHF cable help requested

[Timm R Oday25]

In an effort to be proactive ,I decided to replace the vhf cable and connectors in my mast . Someone    dropped the ball when the order either got placed or shipped .
I ended up with RG-58CU cable . My understanding is that this cable is only differant because it has a stranded core . Will this cable not work with a VHF radio , even though it is still 50 ohms ?
What would be the very best connection that I could solder onto RG-58 cable ? Is all RG-58 cable the same diameter ? Thanks

[Charles Brennan]

Timm, Once again, you solicit advice without providing context!!
RG-58 cables have uniform diameter, dimensions and characteristics.
RG-58/CU cable with a stranded center conductor will work nicely for VHF radios in the less than 50 feet cabling range, especially for a sailboat. 
(For lengthy 150+ foot runs you need to go up to the monster-sized RG-8/U which has less loss. RG-8/U is impractical for use on boats smaller than say, a Tall Ship.)

But to the crux of the matter, are you terminating the cable with a BNC (British Naval Connector),
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https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/rf-industries/RFB-1100-2ST/13159126?utm_adgroup=RF%20Industries&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_DK%2BSupplier_Tier%201%20-%20Block%201&utm_term=&utm_content=RF%20Industries&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhPWT3KOy_gIVyStMCh0QCgTIEAQYAiABEgINtvD_BwE

or a PL-259 coaxial connector?
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https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/rf-industries/RFU-500/13159142?utm_adgroup=RF%20Industries&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_DK%2BSupplier_Tier%201%20-%20Block%201&utm_term=&utm_content=RF%20Industries&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7rz9x6Oy_gIVmWxvBB1cBAgPEAQYASABEgJRz_D_BwE

You can use the above connector (if your soldering skills are up to par; it's easy to melt the center insulator, if not) or you can get a solder-less style connector like the one shown below.
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https://www.americanradiosupply.com/crimp-on-pl-259-uhf-male-coaxial-connector-for-rg-213-rg-8-lmr400/

If you're running RG-58/CU inside your mast, you do know about the ty-rap every foot or so trick, right?

Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan

[NickScheuer]

Regardless whether Tim R knows the ty-rap trick, what about the rest of us? Is that some sort of secret radio talk, like Code Talkers?

[Timm R Oday25]

Charles , I was hoping you would step up . I didn't think there would be to much supplemental information needed. I wasn't aware of a stranded core RG-58 . I believe my soldering skills are up to snuff . Doing it outside is a whole nother ball game . I really appreciate the links . Thank you for being there .

[Charles Brennan]

Regardless whether Tim R knows the ty-rap trick, what about the rest of us? Is that some sort of secret radio talk, like Code Talkers?

Nick, It's fairly simple.
You attach 3) 12" ty-raps every 120º onto the coaxial cable about every foot or so, as you feed the line up the mast.

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If the 3 ty-rap heads make a space greater than the coaxial cable diameter, you may need to use an additional  smaller ty-rap to hold the cable firmly to the ty-rap 3-way assembly. 
The ty-raps are then folded into a circle to fit inside the mast and they tend to want to unwrap themselves from the circle and become straight again.  Being 120º around the coaxial cable tends to keep the cable centered inside the mast.  This ty-rap tension keeps the coaxial cable from slapping around inside the mast with boat movement and making a racket which could get really aggravating.

Obviously, this is not possible with masts that have internal halyards, but for most trailer sailors this is not a problem.

Hope this clarifies,
Charles Brennan