800 mhz antenna coax question

walt616 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:47 PM

hey guys , just picked up a really awesome - looking antenna on EBAY to use for 800 mhz trunking police channels . the antenna is a MAXRAD model Z1188 covers 824-896 mhz specs : UHF 150 WATT with 9 Db gain , it is a 6 element yagi with an N-TYPE CONNECTOR , my question is : on a short run of coax , say 25 ft , would i be better using LMR-400 , or LMR -195 ? , APPRECIATE ANY HELP ???

k9rzz · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 09:13 PM

Where is your scanner? Can you work out a hardline run? Say 1/2 inch aluminum CATV stuff that can be had for *FREE*? Then make a little jumper (3 or 4 feet) of LMR-400 to run through your shack. That CATV hardline is somewhat flexible so it's not as tough an install as you might think.

I had 50 ft of 3/4 inch Heliax running from my basement to the roof for 2 meters - it was SWEET !

N_Jay · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 09:22 PM

At 25 feet almost anything is good enough for a scanner.

k9rzz · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 10:01 PM

Therein lies the question. Do you want good enough ... or AWESOME! ??

Lowa2 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 10:29 PM

using hardline for a 25 foot run is just about the funniest thing I ever heard. Not worth the bother, and hassle. The difference is just too little.

Use common stuff..like RG8, RG6, RG214, RG223...you will NOT notice a difference.

walt616 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 11:02 PM

i'm glad to hear that CATV will work - with some jumpers , the reason i had asked about the LMR195 & LMR-400 was that it was available on ebay in short runs with the correct N CONNECTORS already in place , more money of course , but less hassle . it was ready to plug-in-play so to speak . thanks yall

N_Jay · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9rzz

Therein lies the question. Do you want good enough ... or AWESOME! ??

Define the difference?

walt616 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 11:35 PM

doesn't have to be awesome , just good enough to read it W/O all the scratchies , which is what i have now with the rubber duckie

k9rzz · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 11:42 PM

I give up.

QRT

N_Jay · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9rzz

I give up.

QRT

I guess that is as close to getting you to understanding the issue as we are going to get.

walt616 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 12:52 PM

N_JAY i did understand what you said about any coax being OK on a short run such as 25FT , i'm sorry if it seemed like you confused me

N_Jay · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 01:19 PM

It was k9rzz I figured didn't.

walt616 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 02:36 PM

GOTCHA ! , i appreciate you , walt

blackbeltrk · #14 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 10:29 AM

You really dont need LMR 400 unless your going over 50 ft. for 800mhz. Just wondering here why 25 ft that isnt a very long run at all. And most of the time when you install a outdoor antenna you want the antenna to be at least 50 ft in the air ,to get the maxuim performance.

walt616 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 07:22 PM

actually i get fairly decent reception on 800 with a BC-246 T paired with a RS800 rubber duck , but i get static sometimes and was trying to eliminate the scratchies we all get in the transmissions when just using a rubber duck , the tower i am aiming at is 5 miles away as the crow flies , and i was going to run about a 20 ft mast right outside my window , so 25 ft coax was sufficient to use with the 800 yagi .
i originally thought i might need a heavier coax like the 400 , but i got set straight that any old CATV type would work on the short runs , and it would be a waste of money otherwise . the hardest part now is running down all the reducers needed to match up with the RG-58 , and the N - TYPE connectors . LOL