Taking some old DB-224's with bad harnesses and "downconverting" them to 2-element DB222 style antennas. I'm planning on using the homebrew dipole guide specs to build my harnesses as opposed to the original measurements (since that needs RG-83 for some sections which is near impossible to get aside from like one source). These will be used in receive only or simplex applications for the most part.
I have done some testing and gotten good results with them making a harness out of spare RG-11 aerial from work, but I want to improve on the testing a little bit. Had a few questions to get some input from those that have done the same thing.
1. The original harnesses used VB-11 and VB-83 flooded cable. Not a lot of specs out there on them. Is it the same flooding as direct burial RG-11 would use (DB RG11 has a gel in it I assume to keep water out etc, where aerial does not)
2. Connecting to the elements. Any recommendations on what brand/style ring terminals to use? (Currently looking at generic waterproof ring terminals with heatshrink from Amazon. Also the best way to connect the braided section to ground? The way I have done so far is to leave about 1/4" of copper on the center conductor to crimp/solder to a ring terminal (trying both methods) then pulling back the braid, twisting it, and crimping or (attempting to) solder a ring terminal to it. (Learned that's not possible since it's aluminum..) I would also appreciate tips on best method of weather sealing, if self-amalgamating tape would work best or other ideas
3. While the stuff I have extra from work is copper with aluminum braid, I have found RG11/U with copper braiding instead of aluminum.. logic would say this would be easier to solder to, and in theory would allow duplex use (not looking to start that argument here) should I look for 11/U flooded instead, if it even exists?
4. T-Junctions.. the original design was I believe looping and soldering conductors in a junction, but that seems very finicky to deal with. I opted to use PL-259 connectors and a tee for testing purposes. Problem with that is soldering the center tip since most PL-259's are too large to crimp onto RG-11 conductors. Ideally I'd like to avoid solder just because of how easily it can fail. Any other ideas or is that going to be the best "lazy" solution? Haven't found a real need for a matching stub, hooking coax directly to the tee seems fine, but I'm no expert.
Looking for positive input. This isn't for any commercial purpose, for hobby purposes and experimentation.
I have done some testing and gotten good results with them making a harness out of spare RG-11 aerial from work, but I want to improve on the testing a little bit. Had a few questions to get some input from those that have done the same thing.
1. The original harnesses used VB-11 and VB-83 flooded cable. Not a lot of specs out there on them. Is it the same flooding as direct burial RG-11 would use (DB RG11 has a gel in it I assume to keep water out etc, where aerial does not)
2. Connecting to the elements. Any recommendations on what brand/style ring terminals to use? (Currently looking at generic waterproof ring terminals with heatshrink from Amazon. Also the best way to connect the braided section to ground? The way I have done so far is to leave about 1/4" of copper on the center conductor to crimp/solder to a ring terminal (trying both methods) then pulling back the braid, twisting it, and crimping or (attempting to) solder a ring terminal to it. (Learned that's not possible since it's aluminum..) I would also appreciate tips on best method of weather sealing, if self-amalgamating tape would work best or other ideas
3. While the stuff I have extra from work is copper with aluminum braid, I have found RG11/U with copper braiding instead of aluminum.. logic would say this would be easier to solder to, and in theory would allow duplex use (not looking to start that argument here) should I look for 11/U flooded instead, if it even exists?
4. T-Junctions.. the original design was I believe looping and soldering conductors in a junction, but that seems very finicky to deal with. I opted to use PL-259 connectors and a tee for testing purposes. Problem with that is soldering the center tip since most PL-259's are too large to crimp onto RG-11 conductors. Ideally I'd like to avoid solder just because of how easily it can fail. Any other ideas or is that going to be the best "lazy" solution? Haven't found a real need for a matching stub, hooking coax directly to the tee seems fine, but I'm no expert.
Looking for positive input. This isn't for any commercial purpose, for hobby purposes and experimentation.
