RG-11 or LMR-400

[Dewey]

Getting ready to replace the current RG-6QS, and would like to up the coax to either RG-11 (maybe a QS) or 75 ohm LMR-400. While I can't say that I've seen either "up close and personal", I do know that the LMR-400 is a large diameter coax. Some of the charts I am seeing show RG-11 to be just as large as the LMR-400, but from some of the comments I am seeing, it looks like the RG-11 is closer in diameter to the RG-6QS. I know that the LMR-400 is a tad better (less loss) than the RG-11, but since my run will be around 30 feet, the difference will not be the deciding factor... at least from everything I've seen. Can anyone give me some qualified thoughts on this? If they are the same, of course I am going to go with the lower loss LMR-400, but if RG-11 is a lot closer to the RG-6QS, that will be my choice.

Thanks,
Dewey

 

[N1SQB]

Hey Dewey!
I have had good experience with both RG-6QS and LMR-400. Without knowing your individual radio needs, with just a 30 foot run, for receiving only, you will not see much if any change. I would say stick with what you already know works for you. 400 isn't going to do anything more for you at that length. Jut my 2 cents worth.

Manny

 

[n5ims]

RG-11's diameter is 0.405"
LMR-400's diameter is 0.405"
RG-6 QS's diameter is 0.292"
RG-11 QS's diameter is 0.407"

I have used RG-6, RG-6QS, RG-11, and LMR-400 and RG-6 and RG-6QS are smaller than LMR-400 or RG-11.

What is your application and frequency range that will be used with this coax run?

 

[ind224]

LMR 400.
I also looked at RG11 for a sat feedline over RG6 but the connectors and special crimp tool are ridiculous $$ plus shipping. LMR400 will take a PL259 and you can go to BNC, F or whatever from there.

 

[Dewey]

Thanks to all for the answers. As suspected, RG-11 and LMR-400 are similar in diameter. N5ims... it's just a typical scanner installation that feeds 2 full time desktop scanners, and one portable hooked up through an Electroline. DC is a VERY BUSY RF area, and I monitor everything from 39 up through 800. On a side note, the low cut off for the Electrolines is 50 MHz, but fortunately the only real thing affected is MD State, but a lot of them are jumping on the county's 800 systems.

Dewey

 

[LtDoc]

Given the length of the run, I don't think there's enough difference in those two cables to make any appreciable difference at all. So, for me, it would amount to availability and cost. Ease of use, putting on connectors, isn't the easiest with either of those two cables. Not impossible by any means, just not as easy as with smaller cables. Then again, you don't need an adaptor to make connectors fit, 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
While it's not a biggy with scanners (as opposed to transmitters), I tend to use 50 ohm cable rather than 75 ohm cable. Mainly because I also do that transmitting thingy too, so it just works out more convenient for me.
- 'Doc