need advise on best coax

[ridgescan]

I am going to change out my current runs of rg8x going to my HF antenna and going to my scanner antenna. I would appreciate it if somebody can tell me the absolute best coax I can get that would remain the same thickness/flexability as the 8x? What about this Andrew stuff? Overkill? Thanks

 

[kb0nly]

The same size as the 8X? Hmm... Best i could suggest would be some RG6 Quad Shield...

Now if your ready to go larger then get some good quality RG8 sized coax. I used a lot of Jetstream JT2015 and JT2015F which is a Belden 9913 equivalent, but NOT air core like it. Otherwise LMR400 is the same size also, that is the same RG8 size category.

 

[jeatock]

Lmr400

I use Times LMR400 for just about everything, jumpers 2MHz to 4.9GHz, and short primary runs (<50') vhf and uhf. Attenuation is 0.2db better than RG at vhf, and at least 1.0db at uhf. It is a little stiffer than RG but other than that handles about the same. Air core actually has morer attenuation loss. Look at 50 Ohm Braided Coax Cable, RG8 Cable | TESSCO 800 472 7373 for comparison.

Times LMR-400, Andrew WBC-400, TerraWave TWS-400 and Belden RF400 are pretty much identical products. (Belden 9914 has more loss per foot.) Street pricing should be about $1/ft, same as RG. For Rx-only, RG connectors will also fit.

 

[disasterops]

I have had great luck with LMR-400 especially for UHF and 800 Mhz use

 

[commscanaus]

One Andrews product that has proved very good in my setup is EFX2RN-50.
It is an extra-flexible hardline that is 3/8" in diameter which makes it easy enough to work with.
Found an eBay seller who was offering 20 meter lengths brand new still in the box with N connectors very cheaply.
I use it at 1.2Ghz and it performs very well indeed!

Commscope have it listed as obsolete.
http://awapps.commscope.com/catalog/andrew/pdf/part/EFX2RN-50.aspx?id=1335

It is the sort of thing that can be found cheaply if you shop around.

Commscanaus.

 

[jim202]

I am going to change out my current runs of rg8x going to my HF antenna and going to my scanner antenna. I would appreciate it if somebody can tell me the absolute best coax I can get that would remain the same thickness/flexability as the 8x? What about this Andrew stuff? Overkill? Thanks

Let me ask 2 simple questions here.

1. Why are you wanting to replace your existing RG8x coax cable?

2. Have you done a search on the web to find out the characteristics of other coax before asking your question here?

By asking such a question of which product someone should recommend on this site without defining why and what your needs are, is like asking someone to give you the answer to what is the right underwear to wear. There is a large number of different coax brands and types on the market. Any one might fit your requirement. However, with the limited details you provided, one might be inclined to just say why not try some RG58 or maybe some 7/8 "heliax" type cable.

I would suggest that it would be to your benefit to provide some specs that you think you need for just your applications. That way you would get a much more focused answer from those that have some suggestions on the cable to use.

 

[ridgescan]

1st, thanks for all the help so far everyone OK jim, her goes-1. high power lines not 20' from my windows of my 3rd floor apt.
2. plumbing supply store as neighbor, including pipe cutters and saws and flourescent lighting etc.
3. neon signage x3 on my street.
4. TV cable lines for 9 other apts. running directly over my apt on the roof and down the wall beside my bedroom (I am on the top floor)
5. One of the coax runs is 5 years old. ( don't know if that's too old or not.)
6. I have limited diameter entry points for both runs via holes I drilled in the aluminum window frame of my bedroom because if I drill the holes any larger, I chance cracking the large glass pane, and this is the only entry point option.

After reading around for a bit, I thought it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions here.

My current runs are both 25', they are the Beldon brand, and I know they both have the 95% bare copper braid. Can I do better than this for line noise protection and still do it without having to increase the cable diameter?

 

[ridgescan]

Answered my own question-after seeing the chart below-for my circumstances and short run of 25'-it's looking like the LMR240 is the winner. Wow look at the loss at 440 on the 8x. I can see why you guys who run the LMR400 are having great results. Wish I could.



Attenuation (dB per 100 feet)
MHz: 30 50 100 146 150 440 450 1000 2400
#2247 RG-8X 2.0 2.1 3.0 4.5 4.7 8.1 8.6 21.6
#3604 LMR-240® 1.3 1.7 3.0 3.0 5.2 5.3 12.7
#3605 LMR-240 Ultra® 1.3 1.7 3.0 3.0 5.2 5.3 12.7

#3606 LMR-400® 0.7 0.9 1.5 1.5 2.7 2.7 6.6
#3607 LMR-400 Ultra® 0.7 0.9 1.5 1.5 2.7 2.7 6.6
Values indicated are approximate and for comparison purposes only.
LMR® is a registered trademark of Times Microwave Systems.



Copyright 2002-2010, Universal Radio, Inc.

 

[kb2vxa]

"I would appreciate it if somebody can tell me the absolute best coax I can get that would remain the same thickness/flexibility as the 8x?"

Ain't no such animal.

"What about this Andrew stuff?"

Semi-rigid "Spiroline" (tm) is excellent stuff but you may expect 3/4" OD or larger and appropriate connectors to fit it."

"Overkill?"

Most definitely for HF applications unless you're running a 50KW+ SWBC station. RG-8X is good enough for medium power but RG-8U is recommended for a KW amp. For scanner frequencies however it's ideal for its low loss characteristics, loss always goes up with frequency and above 400MHz becomes critical.

Bottom line here is if you want the "absolute best coax" this is it but you'll pay for it. Just the same never skimp on coax, the best you can afford is your best investment. Oh wait a minute, you specified ABSOLUTE best! Have you considered large diameter "steam pipe" hard line used in FM and TV broadcast applications? Yeah, THAT'S overkill! (;->)