Will RG-6 coax work w/ the RS Ham/Scanner Discone Antenna?

[KC9VZV]

I am going to purchase the RadioShack Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna for use with my scanner on VHF, UHF, and 800Mhz as well as some minor 2 meter Ham use. The manual that is on the RS website for download for the discone says that you need to purchase RG-58 coax to connect the antenna to your radio. I am fine with purchasing the RG-58 coax, but I am struggling with the age-old issue of how to best get the coax into my house without drilling holes in the walls or windows.

I know there are options out there that address this problem, but I don't want to spend $40+ to just get the coax into my house. I did find a RG-6 flat coax cable on eBay for about $3 that is made specifically for going under windows and doors. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I can use this RG-6 flat coax with RG-58 coax coming off the antenna. So, what I'm wondering is: Can I use solely RG-6 coax with this antenna for both Ham radio and Scanner use? Any reason not to?
That way I could use this flat coax with RG-6 coax cable for the antenna and I wouldn't have to spend $40+ to get the coax cable under my window. Thanks!

 

[wingmaker]

I am going to purchase the RadioShack Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna for use with my scanner on VHF, UHF, and 800Mhz as well as some minor 2 meter Ham use. The manual that is on the RS website for download for the discone says that you need to purchase RG-58 coax to connect the antenna to your radio. I am fine with purchasing the RG-58 coax, but I am struggling with the age-old issue of how to best get the coax into my house without drilling holes in the walls or windows.

I know there are options out there that address this problem, but I don't want to spend $40+ to just get the coax into my house. I did find a RG-6 flat coax cable on eBay for about $3 that is made specifically for going under windows and doors. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I can use this RG-6 flat coax with RG-58 coax coming off the antenna. So, what I'm wondering is: Can I use solely RG-6 coax with this antenna for both Ham radio and Scanner use? Any reason not to?
That way I could use this flat coax with RG-6 coax cable for the antenna and I wouldn't have to spend $40+ to get the coax cable under my window. Thanks!

If you were not using it on HAM, I would say get a ST2 antenna, because it is by far better on VHF and UHF and way farther better on 800 mhz, in my expierence with the discone I couldnt even pick up 2 county trunking 800 systems and one 900mhz trunking system EDACS Narrowband and one state tower that is about 15 miles away, it wouldnt pick them up worth the SH*T. I could get some data from control channels at times but not good enough to keep a constant Signal above 3 on the signal bars, but with the ST2 pick them all up now, one perfect, one Signal strength 4, one that fluctuates but is still good, and one it is Signal strength 5 and fluctuates a little at times.

Rg-6 in my opinion is by far better then RG-58, so I would go with that, but not sure on the HAM side with that someone else will have to say something about that

Hopefully that helps some LOVE AND BLESSINGS

 

[KC9VZV]

If you were not using it on HAM, I would say get a ST2 antenna, because it is by far better on VHF and UHF and way farther better on 800 mhz, in my expierence with the discone I couldnt even pick up 2 county trunking 800 systems and one 900mhz trunking system EDACS Narrowband and one state tower that is about 15 miles away, it wouldnt pick them up worth the SH*T. I could get some data from control channels at times but not good enough to keep a constant Signal above 3 on the signal bars, but with the ST2 pick them all up now, one perfect, one Signal strength 4, one that fluctuates but is still good, and one it is Signal strength 5 and fluctuates a little at times.

Rg-6 in my opinion is by far better then RG-58, so I would go with that, but not sure on the HAM side with that someone else will have to say something about that

Hopefully that helps some LOVE AND BLESSINGS

Thank you very much! I will be using this antenna with my Yaesu HT on the 2 meter ham bands some, so unfortunately the ST2 will not work. I guess I'll just have to hope I have a better experience with the discone than you did. In terms of the RG-6 vs RG-58, that helps a lot. Can anyone confirm that it will work for the ham bands? Thanks again for your help though!

 

[kb2vxa]

FLAT coax? Ain't no such anamule and in the picture it looks round. The run of the mill discone resonates on 2M and 70cM so it can be used for transmitting in those bands. Now we get to RG6 vs. RG58 and 6 wins hands down. For anything more than a mobile installation (about 18 feet) it's the worst possible for VHF and above, loss is tremendous on 800Mhz so you'd do better with a rubber duckie. RG6 being 75 ohm it will present a slight mismatch but acceptable, precisely 1.5:1 SWR with a 50 ohm resistive load on the far end. Don't be surprised if it's a tad higher, no antenna is purely resistive, some reactance is always present.

 

[KC9VZV]

FLAT coax? Ain't no such anamule and in the picture it looks round. The run of the mill discone resonates on 2M and 70cM so it can be used for transmitting in those bands. Now we get to RG6 vs. RG58 and 6 wins hands down. For anything more than a mobile installation (about 18 feet) it's the worst possible for VHF and above, loss is tremendous on 800Mhz so you'd do better with a rubber duckie. RG6 being 75 ohm it will present a slight mismatch but acceptable, precisely 1.5:1 SWR with a 50 ohm resistive load on the far end. Don't be surprised if it's a tad higher, no antenna is purely resistive, some reactance is always present.

I am a little bit confused about what exactly you are saying. I get that you say RG6 would be better, but from there are you saying that it isn't good for this application? I am a little confused.
Sorry about that.
Thanks!

 

[LtDoc]

What makes a particular 'size' of coax good/bad/indifferent is the amount of loss it has at particular frequencies and how difficult it is to physically work with, not to mention cost.
If the transmitter has a 50 ohm impedance output and the feed line has a 50 ohm impedance and the antenna at the end of that feed line is also 50 ohms impedance, why would you want to use 75 ohm impedance unless there's a huge difference in cable losses? You'll notice that's dealing with a transmitter, not a receiver which is much less 'picky' about that impedance thingy.
How about the practical side of working with RG-6 coax? It's aluminum, not copper or tinned metal, so it'll be a real PITA to solder (connectors). What type of antenna connector does your radio have, and can you install them?
Getting the @#$ stuff inside the house can certainly be a problem too. I've found that the simplest and easiest method for me is to make an entrance for them. Sure, it will mean making a compromise in something else, but just how much of a compromise would it be. I happen to have a window in a very handy place in relation to where the antennas are. I cut a board to fit into that window's opening and put feed-through connectors in it. Shut the window on that board and it's like the window being closed anyway. (It's a wooden double-sash window high enough above ground that I really doubt if someone would try to get in through it.) Those things are sold in several places but I happened to have the board, you know? What's the compromise? No screen on the window, but it's not normally opened anyway. Both coax and 'ladder-line' comes through that board. Any losses associated with it? Probably, but nothing that's significant. Works for my situation, may not for yours...
- 'Doc

Don't ask me where, but I've seen that 'flat' feed-through coax stuff in 50 ohms also.

 

[gewecke]

I am going to purchase the RadioShack Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna for use with my scanner on VHF, UHF, and 800Mhz as well as some minor 2 meter Ham use. The manual that is on the RS website for download for the discone says that you need to purchase RG-58 coax to connect the antenna to your radio. I am fine with purchasing the RG-58 coax, but I am struggling with the age-old issue of how to best get the coax into my house without drilling holes in the walls or windows.

I know there are options out there that address this problem, but I don't want to spend $40+ to just get the coax into my house. I did find a RG-6 flat coax cable on eBay for about $3 that is made specifically for going under windows and doors. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I can use this RG-6 flat coax with RG-58 coax coming off the antenna. So, what I'm wondering is: Can I use solely RG-6 coax with this antenna for both Ham radio and Scanner use? Any reason not to?
That way I could use this flat coax with RG-6 coax cable for the antenna and I wouldn't have to spend $40+ to get the coax cable under my window. Thanks!

It's simple, do not use RG6 as it's 75 ohm feedline and not to be used for transmitting anything but CATV or CCTV signals.
A 2 meter radio needs to see 50 ohm feedline.

73,
n9zas

 

[KC9VZV]

What makes a particular 'size' of coax good/bad/indifferent is the amount of loss it has at particular frequencies and how difficult it is to physically work with, not to mention cost.
If the transmitter has a 50 ohm impedance output and the feed line has a 50 ohm impedance and the antenna at the end of that feed line is also 50 ohms impedance, why would you want to use 75 ohm impedance unless there's a huge difference in cable losses? You'll notice that's dealing with a transmitter, not a receiver which is much less 'picky' about that impedance thingy.
How about the practical side of working with RG-6 coax? It's aluminum, not copper or tinned metal, so it'll be a real PITA to solder (connectors). What type of antenna connector does your radio have, and can you install them?
Getting the @#$ stuff inside the house can certainly be a problem too. I've found that the simplest and easiest method for me is to make an entrance for them. Sure, it will mean making a compromise in something else, but just how much of a compromise would it be. I happen to have a window in a very handy place in relation to where the antennas are. I cut a board to fit into that window's opening and put feed-through connectors in it. Shut the window on that board and it's like the window being closed anyway. (It's a wooden double-sash window high enough above ground that I really doubt if someone would try to get in through it.) Those things are sold in several places but I happened to have the board, you know? What's the compromise? No screen on the window, but it's not normally opened anyway. Both coax and 'ladder-line' comes through that board. Any losses associated with it? Probably, but nothing that's significant. Works for my situation, may not for yours...
- 'Doc

Alright. That was a lot of good info. First of all, I am not electronically savvy enough to solder anything. So, I will be just buying adapters or, hopefully, the coax I get will have the right connectors on it from the start. I going to hook this up to a BCD396XT with a SMA connector. I will occasionally switch it to my Yaesu HT for 2m ham use. Both have SMA connectors. In terms of the board under the window, I have looked into that, but for my house and with my skill-set, that is not something I can do. I was thinking about getting the Quicksilver Window Feed Through Coax Plate, but that is a little more than I would like to spend, unless I absolutely have to. Do you think I can make one of the flat coax connectors work (as I referenced in my original question)?

Anyway, thanks for your help!!

Dan

 

[LtDoc]

Dan,
The hardest part for me was cutting/drilling the board (wrong size drill bit and you honestly don't want me using a saw). If you are 'close' to being comfortable sawing/drilling stuff then I don't think you'd have all that much trouble. Got gaps between board and window/window frame? Stuff insulation in there! Looks really ugly? Paint it, pink works good! Hey, 'they' think you're crazy anyway, don't they?
- 'Doc

 

[KC9VZV]

It's simple, do not use RG6 as it's 75 ohm feedline and not to be used for transmitting anything but CATV or CCTV signals.
A 2 meter radio needs to see 50 ohm feedline.

73,
n9zas

Now I am really getting confused. Maybe I should just get this antenna and have it dedicated for receive-only and then I could use RG6...? On the other hand, I very badly need a rooftop antenna for my HT, as my HT is the only ham transceiver I have and I need to be able to get out to the repeater better than I can now with the my SRH77CA antenna.

Ok, what if I just asked this:
If I were to get the Radioshack Discone antenna and I want to connect it to my scanner AND use it sometimes for my 2m HT, what is the best feed line to use, keeping in mind that I have to get the coax in through my window without drilling or anything? I would most like to get one of the pieces of flat coax that will go under my window, but I could go for the Quicksilver Window Feed Through Coax Plate if I had to.
Any ideas?

Sorry I'm making this so complicated.

 

[KC9VZV]

Dan,
The hardest part for me was cutting/drilling the board (wrong size drill bit and you honestly don't want me using a saw). If you are 'close' to being comfortable sawing/drilling stuff then I don't think you'd have all that much trouble. Got gaps between board and window/window frame? Stuff insulation in there! Looks really ugly? Paint it, pink works good! Hey, 'they' think you're crazy anyway, don't they?
- 'Doc

True that! LOL... Well, I may try that and then I could just get the RG-58 coax like RS originally recommends. That way I wouldn't have to worry about if the coax is ok to use for transmitting as well as receiving.

 

[gewecke]

Now I am really getting confused. Maybe I should just get this antenna and have it dedicated for receive-only and then I could use RG6...? On the other hand, I very badly need a rooftop antenna for my HT, as my HT is the only ham transceiver I have and I need to be able to get out to the repeater better than I can now with the my SRH77CA antenna.

Ok, what if I just asked this:
If I were to get the Radioshack Discone antenna and I want to connect it to my scanner AND use it sometimes for my 2m HT, what is the best feed line to use, keeping in mind that I have to get the coax in through my window without drilling or anything? I would most like to get one of the pieces of flat coax that will go under my window, but I could go for the Quicksilver Window Feed Through Coax Plate if I had to.
Any ideas?

Sorry I'm making this so complicated.

Get some RG8 from your radio shack for your discone, done deal!
RG8 is 50ohm coaxial cable, which your radios need. Forget the RG6 unless it's for a scanner or tv.

73,
n9zas

 

[pjtnascar]

Use either the rg8 or 58. Stay away from the 6. Passing through the window is the way to go. If you don't want to drill wood, get a piece of styrofoam to fill under. It's real easy to poke a hole in, and it will take latex paint.

 

[Ronaldski]

Ive had RG6 on my diamond discone for 20+ years.

All the comments are about the cable not the antenna. Unless things have changed, just do a search on comments of the RS discone. Essentially JUNK! In the past many reported first wind storm the antenna blew apart, someone I know had one up for a year or so and he couldn't get much of any signal, ended up finding all the screws for the elements had rusted ! All I can say again unless something changed stay away from the RS discone. Again the diamond I have stayed up there for 20 + years threw many a windstorm.

 

[mancow]

RG 6 or 59 will be just fine.

Don't listen to those that say othewise. Your antenna will not be resonant at more then a relatively small range compared to what you will probably wander around at anyway so the whole 50 ohm cable matching is out the window.

For transmitting you might notice a bit higher SWR but it will still work. It will be far higher quality than any 58 crap from Radio Shack.

 

[Ronaldski]

RG 59 signal loss/foot was one reason I went with rg6.I wanted even if it wasnt too much loss difference.

Heres a cable loss calculator: Coax Calculator

Difference in a RG-59 & a RG-6 Coaxial Cable | eHow.com

 

[KC9VZV]

Ive had RG6 on my diamond discone for 20+ years.

All the comments are about the cable not the antenna. Unless things have changed, just do a search on comments of the RS discone. Essentially JUNK! In the past many reported first wind storm the antenna blew apart, someone I know had one up for a year or so and he couldn't get much of any signal, ended up finding all the screws for the elements had rusted ! All I can say again unless something changed stay away from the RS discone. Again the diamond I have stayed up there for 20 + years threw many a windstorm.

Thanks for the info. What kind of antenna do you recommend then? From the reviews on RS's website, it looks like the discone isn't the best out there, but I think it would be good for me because it is (theoretically) easy to install and this is my first antenna outside of the house. Also, it has the ability to receive everything I would want to on my scanner and TX on the 2m ham band for a pretty reasonable price. Can you recommend anything else that would fit this bill? The main thing being that it is inexpensive enough and easy to install. Thanks again!

 

[jhooten]

There is a 50 ohm version of the under the window jumper:
Comet CTC-50M Feed Through CTC50M

 

[KC9VZV]

There is a 50 ohm version of the under the window jumper:
Comet CTC-50M Feed Through CTC50M

Thanks. I was hoping for a less expensive option but I may end up getting that.

Dan

 

[Ronaldski]

What I got is the diamond 130j I see there is a model 300 now, but I just know mine is up there 20+ years later.

diamond 130j - Bing