What would be the best type of coax to use for about a 50 ft run from antenna to scanner?
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
Coax for Wide Band Discone Antenna
- Thread starter shirsch101
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fasteddy64
Member
LMR-400 if you dont mind working with large cable.
RG-6 is you want smaller.
Ed
RG-6 is you want smaller.
Ed
Isn’t RG6 75 ohm?
fasteddy64
Member
yup.
Doesnt matter for receive.
I have used nothing but RG-6 for my scanners for over 20 years.
What about RG58?
nd5y
Member
50 feet of RG-58 will have way to much loss.
So use RG6 does it need to be copper or the standard quad aluminum will work?
AB5ID
Member
What's the highest frequency you want to receive? A 3 db loss isn't very noticeable more than that seems to make a noticable difference.
Use copper.
nd5y
Member
RG-6QS is a lot better than RG-58.
bb911
Member
It depends on your area . I lived in an area of strong signals, including two NWS mountain top transmitters. I didn't waste my money on LMR-400. Overkill. As far as RG6 being 75 ohm, like fasteddy64 stated, it doesn't matter.
(BTW, I occasionally transmitted 2 watts on 2m with RG6 to J antenna (used for scanner and 2m) with no problems. You can Google "RG6 amateur radio use").
Aluminum is fine unless you insist on the need to solder connectors. You can crimp/buy quality crimped RG6, and use adapters. Given all of the above, you can lighten your wallet, but is it worth it if you live in an area where most signals are strong enough as is? Will it make any change in what actually reaches your ear?
(BTW, I occasionally transmitted 2 watts on 2m with RG6 to J antenna (used for scanner and 2m) with no problems. You can Google "RG6 amateur radio use").
Aluminum is fine unless you insist on the need to solder connectors. You can crimp/buy quality crimped RG6, and use adapters. Given all of the above, you can lighten your wallet, but is it worth it if you live in an area where most signals are strong enough as is? Will it make any change in what actually reaches your ear?
prcguy
Member
RG-6 in general is much better than RG-58 despite the impedance problem. There is absolutely no advantage using quad shield over regular CATV/satellite type single braid over foil RG-6.
For a 50ft run I would absolutely use LMR-400. You go to all the trouble of putting up an outside antenna, so why give up much of the signal its picking up with cheap coax?
For a 50ft run I would absolutely use LMR-400. You go to all the trouble of putting up an outside antenna, so why give up much of the signal its picking up with cheap coax?
k9wkj
Member
RG6
weather proof easy install compression connectors
cheap
very low loss
weather proof easy install compression connectors
cheap
very low loss
prcguy
Member
Cheap and compromise are two words that come to mind when I hear RG-6 discussed for scanner antennas. It cost more for LMR400 but why not do it up right?
k9wkj
Member
ohh I knew I would get in trouble
all said, I come from a land where public service digital is scarce
and anything above T band is unheard of (except for the prison down the highway)
so my response is tilted towards whats needed for my needs
I have over 500ft of Commscope 3227 (think LMR 400 with a solid copper center)
and almost 400ft of LMR600 on hand
and have no current need for any of it ( I hope to need it next year!)
as RG6 pays the bill for my VHF/UHF needs
its all about balancing what you want V/S what you need
I am currently feeding a VHF/UHF vertical with RG6 as the antenna is a FB match with out the feedline
and its a very good match with the 35ft or so of RG6 feeding it
I think you misunderstood me. 3dB is a difference, but not one that is going to make the difference between hearing something and not in most cases. It's not best practice, but will work reasonably well for runs under 100 feet.
prcguy
Member
Your not adding in the extra loss for 50/75 ohm mismatch and that is not a constant number, it will change over frequency and at different points down the coax.
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