This weekend I am hopefully installing a Cushcraft AR2 antenna for my scanner (weather permitting) and I am looking for some advice on cabling.
My choices.
I have a roll of 8x that will cost me $1.50 a foot
A roll of RG58 (Thinnet coax) free from work
Or go buy some RG6
I will be receiving only, 150MHz the run about 50'
Thanks
Let's simply run the numbers and see how they look.
Common factors, 150 MHz frequency and 50' run for a receive-only application (based on your post):
* RG-58 - 2.552 dB loss
* RG-8x - 2.146 dB loss
* RG-6 - 1.729 dB loss
Since lower loss is generally better, looks like the RG-6 is the winner for your application!
Other things to factor in:
* Thinnet coax is designed for indoor use so it probably won't last too long outside with the UV rays eating up the outside jacket in just a few years. Connectors should be easy to find and rather inexpensive, however most aren't water tight so you'll need to protect them with some good quality (and UV resistant) electrical tape and "Coax-Seal" putty-like material (
Using Coax-Seal).
* RG-8x is generally made for outside use so it should be OK for several years use. It was designed for HF use, not VHF so it really isn't that great of a performer at 150 MHz. The connectors are similar to RG-58 (but may use a different reducer since 8x is a bit larger than 58).
* RG-6 is easy to find, cheap, and very low loss. It's also generally well shielded so there is less leakage (in or out) so it works well near other cables. The connectors are cheap and can be quite good (even water tight), but it's hard to find anything but "F" or "BNC" for RG-6. Adapters aren't too hard to find to convert F or BNC to most anything else you want, however (adapters may not be water tight though so seal them up!).
Be aware that RG-6 is 75 ohm cable, while the others are 50 ohm cables, but for receive-only applications it shouldn't be an issue. If you transmit, none of the 3 types are good choices so don't worry about the impedence until then anyway.