I ordered a discone antennae but decided that I did not want the co-ax that came with it so I ordered just the antenna. Now I have a SO-239 connector at the antennae base and a SO-239 & a Pl-259 on a inline surge suppressor that I ordered. I wanted to use RG 6 co-ax but I was told these fittings are for RG 11 or maybe RG 58. I have no clue what all the part #s mean on scanner worlds site and really need help in getting the right adaptors including one to go BNC at the scanner. Any help will be "greatly" appreciated. If I need another type co-ax , just advise! Thanks!
Antenna issues
- Thread starter bbinbg3
- Start date
- Status
DPD1
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2005
- Messages
- 1,994
People often recommend RG6 because it's cheap, and some companies have also offered it for receive applications for this reason... But this is why it's best just to stick with all 50 Ohm stuff... The cables and connectors are fairly incompatible between 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm stuff.
I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, but most connector types are available for each size of cable. A good cable to use for low loss is an RG8 size. That could be Davis Bury Flex, 9913, 9913 Flexi, LMR400 and others. All of those are basically an RG8 size cable, and you can tell that when you look at the the OD jacket size in the specs. Now you can get a UHF male (PL259), UHF female (SO239), male or female BNC, or numerous other types of connectors, to fit that size cable. But this is all 50 ohm stuff. If you throw something like RG6 in there, that's 75 Ohm and it starts making things complicated, because now most of those connectors will not fit. Then you have to use F connectors and adapters. So it's easier to just get 50 Ohm cable.
I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, but most connector types are available for each size of cable. A good cable to use for low loss is an RG8 size. That could be Davis Bury Flex, 9913, 9913 Flexi, LMR400 and others. All of those are basically an RG8 size cable, and you can tell that when you look at the the OD jacket size in the specs. Now you can get a UHF male (PL259), UHF female (SO239), male or female BNC, or numerous other types of connectors, to fit that size cable. But this is all 50 ohm stuff. If you throw something like RG6 in there, that's 75 Ohm and it starts making things complicated, because now most of those connectors will not fit. Then you have to use F connectors and adapters. So it's easier to just get 50 Ohm cable.
Thanks for the input Dave. I was beginning to think no one wanted to reply due to the question either being very stupid or the answer so simple anyone should know. I do understand about the RG6 and have actually gotten some RG8 with all the connectors that are applicable. I had thoughts about grounding the antenna but a friend advised against that since it might actually attract a strike. I have decided to install an arrestor to protect the radio. It will be inline about 20' from the radio and I am mounting the antenna on a roof gable. Thanks again for the help. All of you on here seem to be very willing to help us beginners out!!
majoco
Stirrer
Your antenna will be grounded through the radio via the outer of the coaxial cable. In the event of a lightning strike to - or even nearby - the current will flow through your radio to ground maybe doing some/lots of damage on the way.
IMHO I would try to connect the mast - or whatever you are mounting the antenna on - to a local ground. I know your electrical regulations state that all grounds must bonded together but if you pound in a ground rod under your antenna, then that surely is not an electrical ground, it's a radio ground. (Not guilty, your honour!)
IMHO I would try to connect the mast - or whatever you are mounting the antenna on - to a local ground. I know your electrical regulations state that all grounds must bonded together but if you pound in a ground rod under your antenna, then that surely is not an electrical ground, it's a radio ground. (Not guilty, your honour!)
n5ims
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,993
The PL-259 connector generally is sized to fit the RG-8 and RG-11 style of coax. There are also adapters that allow RG-58 or RG-59/RG-8X to be used. That style is easily available at many places, including Radio Shack. Since RG-6 is larger than either RG-58 or RG-59/RG-8X and is smaller than RG-8/RG-11 there isn't an easy way to make the connection cleanly.
What you can do, however, is put a BNC connector on your RG-6 (like this RG6 Compression BNC Connector - 20pk - Cables To Go) and use a BNC to UHF adapter (like this Coaxial Adapter, UHF Male (PL259)/ BNC Female - BA50) when necessary. It isn't the best solution (like using standard RG-8 or LMR-400 coax at least between the antenna and the "surge suppressor" and then possibly switching to the RG-6 if you wish), but would work. Make sure to use extra caution to make things water tight since the extra connections due to the adapters give you more areas that could come loose and start leaking.
Thanks for the help. I only have one more question, if I ground the antenna mast should I still use the in-line arrestor? I had orginally intended to ground the mast anyway. It will have a dedicated ground and the arrestor will be grounded to the common ground for the house since it will be located quite close to the common ground! Any thoughts? I do have waterproof tape.
n5ims
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,993
You should use both. This is because YOU don't control how the lightning strike travels IT does. Grounding the mast will help reduce the energy from flowing down the coax shield. The in-line arrestor will help reduce the energy from flowing down the coax's center conductor. If you don't have both done correctly you could still be toast.
- Status
