I have been out of town until about an hour ago.  I just read all the posts in regard to your antenna Tom.

For the antenna to work properly you need about 75 feet of coax between the window line and your radio.  The excess coax can just be coiled up in your shack or outside the RV at a convenient place.

I know you really don't need to buy a new antenna, however, the G 5 R V's from W 8 A M Z are made very well. The connections at the top where the window line connect to the two legs of the antenna are sealed in epoxy.  The bottom end of the window line is terminated in an S o 239 connector which is also sealed in epoxy therefore all the connection points will not get any moisture in them.  The 450 ohm window line is copper coated steel wire which is insulated and will not break from movement in the wind.

I own one of these and I feel it is of high quality.  The regular size is about $70.

Get the wire off the ladder, cut the P L 259 connector off the coax pigtail check for continuity.  If there is still a short, cut the pigtail completely off the window line and make a new pigtail and install it be sure to water proof all connections.

Again, 75 feet of coax between window line and radio, a must!!!

In general, it seems like most agree on what you should do.

73

Howard #3