I am installing an AIS 1000 transponder
The GPS antenna comes with half a mile of RG 58U coax cable and a connector on the end similar to a PL259, but smaller.
(Hope I have that number PL259 right. It is the kind of plug that is used to connect a VHF antenna to a permanently installed radio)

I need to cut the cable to pass through available space, and seems to me that shortening it to the minimum convenient length would make sense. Comments ??

I could join the cable with 2 soldered PL 259's and a barrel connector (SO something), using the adaptors for the small size of the cable relative to RG8. Does that make sense?

Alternatively, can I join the cable just by soldering the central wires, taping to same diameter as the dielectric, soldering the coax then insulating the lot?

The connection is from a GPS receiving antenna to the GPS receiver in the AIS 1000 box. Does it need to be all RG58? Would a simple soldered joint without respecting the coaxial form of cable suffice?

As always, thanks for the info from the experts on the board