Free Lmr400 used cable, pl259 connectors

[ScannedAlive]

Howdy
I did a Search and didn’t find what I was looking for. The particulars- bcd 536 hp and sds 200.

Wanting to put up a 25’ antenna on a back deck roughly 15’ above ground level walk out basement.

I met a kind soul on a local scanner and he offered me free lmr400 cable. He purchased it in 2005 and a year later he lost his setup to an ice storm. It’s been in his garage since then.

The coax has 3 pl259 connectors on it. One at each end and one halfway on the 35 ft run.

Is free really free? It comes with pl259 connectors. Is this the best choice?

I haven’t purchased a Diamond discone yet as they have a couple of choices as one has Tyne n connector to the antenna.

I need a BNC connector for either or both scanners. I do have some analog stuff I monitor but mostly p25 l and ll stuff and some dmr stuff as well at 453mhz.

Any help determining If I just get new lmr400 ul. I’m reading that’s the best stuff for low loss. I know it’s harder to work with in particular 90* bends. I’m a pipefitter and a licensed plumber, lol. I’m sure I can work around the stiffness,lol.

 

[mmckenna]

Howdy
I did a Search and didn’t find what I was looking for. The particulars- bcd 536 hp and sds 200.

Wanting to put up a 25’ antenna on a back deck roughly 15’ above ground level walk out basement.

I met a kind soul on a local scanner and he offered me free lmr400 cable. He purchased it in 2005 and a year later he lost his setup to an ice storm. It’s been in his garage since then.

The coax has 3 pl259 connectors on it. One at each end and one halfway on the 35 ft run.

Is free really free? It comes with pl259 connectors. Is this the best choice?

Sound free to me.
As for "best choice", free rates as best in my book. LMR-400 is decent cable for what you are doing and for that length. One piece 25 feet long would be ideal, but free is free. The extra 10 feet isn't the end of the world, and while an extra connector in the middle isn't ideal, it -will- work just fine and is better than what a lot of other people are running.

I haven’t purchased a Diamond discone yet as they have a couple of choices as one has Tyne n connector to the antenna.

N connectors are superior to UHF connectors in many ways. But for a discone, a scanner and short cable run, I'd not get hung up on the minor amount of loss at the higher frequencies. Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd take it as free and happily use it. If you do have money burning a hole in your pocket, then get a continuous 25 foot length, but I doubt you'd notice the difference.

I need a BNC connector for either or both scanners.

That's fine. LMR-400 is stiff cable, and you would not want to attach it directly to the scanner anyway. It would put a lot of strain on the connector, which might break it.
Instead, get a short jumper with a UHF female connector on one end, and a BNC male connector on the other. 2-3 feet long, something like RG-58 would be fine. That'll connect to the radio and take the strain off the radios antenna connector.

I do have some analog stuff I monitor but mostly p25 l and ll stuff and some dmr stuff as well at 453mhz.

At 450MHz, the amount of loss will be minimal.

Any help determining If I just get new lmr400 ul. I’m reading that’s the best stuff for low loss. I know it’s harder to work with in particular 90* bends. I’m a pipefitter and a licensed plumber, lol. I’m sure I can work around the stiffness,lol.

It's not the "best". It's pretty good for hobby use. It's even better when it is free.

 

[mmckenna]

If it really is concerning, use it for a while and see if you have any issues hearing what you want to hear. You can always replace it.
But don't expect a huge difference.

If the signals are weak, a few tenths of a decibel are not going to make a huge difference. Getting something better than a discone would be more beneficial.

 

[ScannedAlive]

Sound free to me.
As for "best choice", free rates as best in my book. LMR-400 is decent cable for what you are doing and for that length. One piece 25 feet long would be ideal, but free is free. The extra 10 feet isn't the end of the world, and while an extra connector in the middle isn't ideal, it -will- work just fine and is better than what a lot of other people are running.



N connectors are superior to UHF connectors in many ways. But for a discone, a scanner and short cable run, I'd not get hung up on the minor amount of loss at the higher frequencies. Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd take it as free and happily use it. If you do have money burning a hole in your pocket, then get a continuous 25 foot length, but I doubt you'd notice the difference.



That's fine. LMR-400 is stiff cable, and you would not want to attach it directly to the scanner anyway. It would put a lot of strain on the connector, which might break it.
Instead, get a short jumper with a UHF female connector on one end, and a BNC male connector on the other. 2-3 feet long, something like RG-58 would be fine. That'll connect to the radio and take the strain off the radios antenna connector.



At 450MHz, the amount of loss will be minimal.



It's not the "best". It's pretty good for hobby use. It's even better when it is free.

I’m grateful someone is giving the cable to me. It’s old cable for sure.
Not like I’m transmitting. What would you recommend if I wanted to buy new cable?
Ty so much for your post.
Bruno

 

[KevinC]

After 18 years I’d be worried about moisture intrusion. But location and how well the connectors were installed will have an affect on that.

 

[ScannedAlive]

After 18 years I’d be worried about moisture intrusion. But location and how well the connectors were installed will have an affect on that.

One of my concerns as well. The cable has been stored in his garage since 2003. The cable was purchased new and used for maybe 2 years before a storm took is mast. Frustrated, he hasn’t messed with an outdoor antenna since.
They are crimped on pl259 fittings.
I’m a newbie on outdoor antenna and if not for the cost of a crimp on kit I would replace them.
I hate to pay the price for the kit just to redo a few connectors.
I’m using this for my police scanner and don’t plan on getting into Ham due to cost of equipment.
Thank you for the reply.
Bruno

 

[KevinC]

One of my concerns as well. The cable has been stored in his garage since 2003. The cable was purchased new and used for maybe 2 years before a storm took is mast. Frustrated, he hasn’t messed with an outdoor antenna since.
They are crimped on pl259 fittings.
I’m a newbie on outdoor antenna and if not for the cost of a crimp on kit I would replace them.
I hate to pay the price for the kit just to redo a few connectors.
I’m using this for my police scanner and don’t plan on getting into Ham due to cost of equipment.
Thank you for the reply.
Bruno

I understand. If it works for you that’s all that matters.

 

[ScannedAlive]

I understand. If it works for you that’s all that matters.

I’m on a short rip with the wifey, lol. Have spent a shat pot of money over the years on the scanner hobby. I do most often purchase and ask for forgiveness, lol.
It’s free and I’m grateful someone want to give it away.
In your opinion if I wanted to get a solid 1 piece coax for scanning that offers the best low lost what type of cable would you suggest. Maybe easier to work with than lmr400?
Regards,
Bruno

 

[KevinC]

I’m on a short rip with the wifey, lol. Have spent a shat pot of money over the years on the scanner hobby. I do most often purchase and ask for forgiveness, lol.
It’s free and I’m grateful someone want to give it away.
In your opinion if I wanted to get a solid 1 piece coax for scanning that offers the best low lost what type of cable would you suggest. Maybe easier to work with than lmr400?
Regards,
Bruno

I typically don’t recommend anything, it always backfires or everyone else says it’s wrong.

But RG6 quad shield is a good choice. And yes I know it’s 75 ohm coax, but it will work just fine.

 

[ScannedAlive]

I read a ton of post here on this subject with arguments of this versus that. I feel it’s more of an issue with transmission than receiving signals.
I really don’t know other than my scanner recommendations are 50 ohm but I’ve also read that some say that the scanner actually is more of 75 ohms.
I get you not wanting to recommend without recommending, lol.
Rg-8 coax if very affordable. May be an upgrade in the future.

I need guy wire setup’s for my 25’ flimsy cheap flagpole and some addition square stock bracing.
I can’t push the wifey envelope but so much, lol.
Still need to purchase other stuff. Grounding stuff, lighting arrestor etc. And wow copper ground wire is really expensive. A new antenna. Prolly be a bit, may by summer, to get it up and working

 

[mmckenna]

I'd give the LMR-400 a try. Its a solid dielectric cable, so not much chance for water to get inside. Visually inspect the connectors, and if there is no corrosion, give it a try. It's not going to hurt anything.

I agree about the RG-6.
The 50Ω thing only matters if everything in the system is 50Ω impedance throughout. Your system will not be. The scanner varies, and the discone antenna will vary. Using 75Ω cable isn't going to matter enough. It's low loss, and easier to run. For a 25 foot run, it'll work just fine if the LMR-400 doesn't.

Remember that it is a hobby, and it doesn't have to be perfect. You'll get good results with either cable.
Be wary of those that tell you that you must use a specific cable or your performance is going to suffer. There will always be something "better" and it's a never ending chase trying to get to that perfect place. If you do a good install with what you have, it will work just fine.

 

[GadgetGeek]

LMR400 Ultraflex is another option. It's not as stiff as the regular LMR400.

 

[prcguy]

I typically don’t recommend anything, it always backfires or everyone else says it’s wrong.

But RG6 quad shield is a good choice. And yes I know it’s 75 ohm coax, but it will work just fine.

I think your wrong to not give advice.

 

[KevinC]

I think your wrong to not give advice.

See…

 

[mmckenna]

See…

Stop telling me what to do. You're not the boss of me.

 

[TGuelker]

I am perhaps the least knowledgeable person here, learning daily.

You are assuming the connectors were installed correctly.

I recently bought 50 feet of Times Microwave LMR400UF with type N connectors from wi-fi_expert on eBay for $125.00 shipped.

Perhaps you could convince your wife by saying her purse/shoes/etc. are looking a little shabby. Works for me!

 

[ScannedAlive]

LMR400 Ultraflex is another option. It's not as stiff as the regular LMR400.

Wow, tough crowd in here, lol. Can you recommend a decent supplier of ultraflex?

 

[ScannedAlive]

I typically don’t recommend anything, it always backfires or everyone else says it’s wrong.

But RG6 quad shield is a good choice. And yes I know it’s 75 ohm coax, but it will work just fine.

rg6 quid shield. I need to look that up. I went to pickup my free cable only to find it was wilson amazon product. It had cracks in it so I thanked him and said no thank you.

 

[belvdr]

Wow, tough crowd in here, lol. Can you recommend a decent supplier of ultraflex?

DX Engineering is one option. I've had good results with them.

Times Microwave Systems® 54040 Times Microwave Systems® Bulk Coaxial Cables | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Times Microwave Systems® Bulk Coaxial Cables with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Coaxial Cable, Bulk at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

Oh, don't pay attention to @KevinC or @mmckenna. They're all old and cranky. Just don't step on their lawn. LOL

 

[mmckenna]

rg6 quid shield. I need to look that up. I went to pickup my free cable only to find it was wilson amazon product. It had cracks in it so I thanked him and said no thank you.

Good choice.
Wilson seems to use a lot of cheap Chinese products. A cracked jacket is a bad sign.