My so called GME whip aerial snapped at the base .. ( Note to Self : Don't be slack and leave it up for the roadtrip home ) .

I had a GME antenna that regularly worked its way loose despite me checking it and repeatidly tightning it, eventually I lost it overboard.  I believe the issue was with the circlip fitted in the antenna base to retain the cable which kept popping out.

I discussed it with the GME Australia reps and had them send me over some spare circlips after discussing the potential risk involved in losing an antenna at sea.  They dont sell the circlips as a seperate item (may do now)

I worked on the fitting and ended up customising the circlip (bending) to tighten it up in the base and it has worked ok since then.  I now carry the spare circlips in the boat tool kit.  I cant be sure if the issue was GME design (the representative mentined they had not had occurances before) or if the person who originally fitted it made a bit of a stuff up of it.

 Buy some self almalgamating tape from a electrical place or on line. You cut off a small length and stretch it's you apply it, and it becomes very tough and waterproof. I use it on all of my radio antenna connections at home and everywhere else I can use it. Fantastic stuff.

cheers

Dale

 Thanks mate, it looks the goods, I'll pick some up tomorrow