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 RECOMMENDED COAX, new qth setup
 Gary-MI6SIS   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 1 2010, 10:50 PM Post #4180 
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Hi everyone not been here for a while busy moving house etc. But now finally settled. I am looking to get the rig etc up and running permenantly now in a room I have secured upstairs. lol. I was wondering whats the best coax to use over about 20meters? I will be running it from the back wall of the house through the loft into a room at the front of the house (I trust running the coax through the loft is ok).

I was looking something easily bent and managed as I will be bringing it down through the corner of the room and want to keep it neat around the wall/skirting.

Any help would be a massive help.

Regards

Gary-MI6SIS.
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 gw8asd   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 2 2010, 10:18 AM Post #4181 
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It rather depends on what frequency you are operating on.

Something that would be OK oh HF could well be a waste of time on VHF.

Cheers

Tony
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 Gary-MI6SIS   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 2 2010, 08:20 PM Post #4182 
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Hi Tony I should have stated that its going to be cobweb and a triband for 2, 70 & 6

So any suggestions would be great. I have seen coils of rg58 for sale at fairly resonable price but not sure if its gonna be any use to me.
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 MW3YMY   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 2 2010, 09:00 PM Post #4183 
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Hi Gary,

I'd definitely use RG-213 at those frequencies. I know it's expensive but you'll definitely benefit from it.

I have found RG-213 to be much better than RG-58 on VHF/UHF, but haven't really noticed a difference below 30MHz, although I do use it for my HF dipole, because I had the correct amount lying around. I use RG-58 for all my portable work.

73 de Matt
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 steveeh131047   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 2 2010, 10:10 PM Post #4184 
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Gary,

As far as the HF CobWebb is concerned, the worst-case difference between 100ft of RG58 and 100ft of RG213 would be about 1.7dB:

100ft RG213: 30% power loss (1.5dB)
100ft RG58: 52% power loss (3.2dB)

I'm sure that Tony will be confirming you shouldn't use RG58 at VHF/UHF over any significant distance.

73,
Steve G3TXQ
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 Gary-MI6SIS   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 2 2010, 11:32 PM Post #4185 
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Well I guess I know what I'm gonna be spending the wages on this week. lol. Thanks for the help guys as always much appreciated.
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 gw8asd   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 3 2010, 11:20 AM Post #4186 
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QUOTE (steveeh131047 @ Feb 2 2010, 10:10 PM)
Gary,

As far as the HF CobWebb is concerned, the worst-case difference between 100ft of RG58 and 100ft of RG213 would be about 1.7dB:

100ft RG213: 30% power loss (1.5dB)
100ft RG58: 52% power loss (3.2dB)

I'm sure that Tony will be confirming you shouldn't use RG58 at VHF/UHF over any significant distance.

73,
Steve G3TXQ

As long as it's only a short feeder run then 213 would be OK.
As the antenna is a co-linear I assume its use will be for, FM, local contacts and should be fine at 20mtrs.
If you plan any serious operating on the higher bands I would suggest that 6M is the highest you go with 213.
20mtrs will give you 1dB of loss.
At 2M it will be nearer 2dB and at 70cm over 3dB.
A 20mtr run of 58 at 70cm would have around 7dB of loss. ohmy.gif
So 2M, and above, you really need something better than 213 for serious operating.
At VHF cable losses become more important as band noise is, hopefully, much lower than HF.

Which ever cable you choose make sure it is a recognised, reputable, brand.
There is lots of below par cable about, particularly 58 and 213.
At the height of the CB boom some tests I did on one source of 213 showed it was only just about usable at 30MHz. mad.gif

In addition, if running it outside, I have found some 58 does not survive well in direct sunlight.

Cheers

Tony
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 M0SPN   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 4 2010, 05:09 PM Post #4187 
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I think some of other thinner cables (ecoflex 10 or 15) perform better than 213 and are more flexible. I guess this comes at a price though - looks at the loss comparisions and see if you can justify it smile.gif

Edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coax is a good place to start, but doesn't list ecoflex etc

Steve M0SPN
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 gw8asd   Quote Post
Posted: Feb 5 2010, 10:31 AM Post #4189 
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I don't use 213 myself.

I've been pleased with the Ecoflex.
I use Ecoflex 10 for short runs on 6M and Ecoflex 15, or hardline, for everything else.
Times Microwave also do some good cables.

Always use good quality connectors as well.
Ideally "N" type but, if you must use PL259, make sure it is a good, cable clamp, type.
There are some really terrible ones about.

Once again be careful if something is described as "equivalent to" without its actual part number/manufacturer being stated.

Cheers

Tony
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