Coax Jumper

[KJ4DHF]

Coax and connector price's have taken a drastic increase in prices.

 

[K4EET]

View attachment 193659
Coax and connector price's have taken a drastic increase in prices.

As in WOW!

 

[kg4ehv]

I've been using JAFA tech lately.

JEFA Tech Wireless Technology Solutions

JEFA Tech specializes in Coax Cable Assemblies, RF Connectors and Adapters, Wireless Networking Supplies, WiFi Equipment, Cellular Boosters

www.jefatech.com

 

[AK9R]

DX Engineering's custom cable assembly builder is convenient, but has always been darn pricey. You are paying for the convenence.

OTOH, a non-custom 6-foot jumper made with RG8X and PL259s is $32.79. DX Engineering DXE-8XDX006 DX Engineering RG-8X PL-259 Low-Loss 50-ohm Coax Cable Assemblies | DX Engineering

I usually use Field Components for cable assemblies. A 5-foot jumper made with LMR195 Ultraflex and N connectors is $27.21.

 

[KJ4DHF]

Oh I found and ordered 1 from them. I was just shocked that DX was charging such outrageous prices.
For the application that I need jumper for did not need LMR ,rg58 would have been just fine.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Just for reference…

A Times Microwave factory cable isn't even $50.
A40A-5 5 Ft LMR400 Cable Assy N-Male to N-Male - Talley LLC - Top supplier of wireless and mobile products

Talley also has in-house RG142 assemblies for around $50.

For $100 you should be getting a serial number and a frequency sweep diagram.

 

[Brales60]

I've used Antenna Farm, and I didn't think the prices were terrible. That was August 2024, 2 LMR 240 3' Jumpers.

 

[W5KK]

Coax and connector price's have taken a drastic increase in price

Some of this is due to raw materials price increases. Copper futures are just about $5.00/lb. and silver futures are presently north of $60/oz.

Several major copper mines around the world have been shut down for various reasons including cave-ins, political reasons, and declining ore quality.

 

[bolo928]

Wow! I use RG-400 for short runs in the shack. A 3ft, pre-made jumper with PL-259s at DX Engineering is $72!!

DX Engineering DXE-RG400R003 DX Engineering RG-400 High Isolation Coaxial Cable Assemblies | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - DX Engineering RG-400 High Isolation Coaxial Cable Assemblies with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Coaxial Cable Assemblies at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

I make my own coax assemblies. I'm using crimp connectors from Max Gain Systems. I have several dies for my crimp tool for various coax sizes. I buy RG-400 in bulk (50ft at a time) and crimp connectors 25 at a time. . I can make the same assembly for about $25

Guess you pay a lot for convenience.

 

[K6GBW]

I think that must have been some sort of error. I’ve never seen DX Engineering charge something like that for a small piece of coax.

 

[K4EET]

I think that must have been some sort of error. I’ve never seen DX Engineering charge something like that for a small piece of coax.

I just called DX Engineering and the Tech Support representative confirmed the price is correct. They also looked at another cable assembly and admitted that the prices seemed unusually high. With me being disabled, I was going to order a bunch of jumper cables for an upcoming shack refurbishment project. Seeing the prices, I think I’ll just order the crimp/solder tools and dies to make my own cable assemblies. Convenience has just gotten too expensive.

 

[K6GBW]

Well, if that price was correct then they are obviously using some good drugs. No way I'd pay that for a jumper. Getting the crimpers to make them yourself is a great idea. I bought mine twenty years ago and now I make all my own coaxes exactly to length. I've been doing full crimp connectos for about ten years now, so no soldering involved. I've used them indoors and out and never had one go bad. I use the connectors from RF Industries and prep the coax with a scalpel and then crimp away. I also put some heat shrink on all of them for strain relief and to make them look nice.

 

[AK9R]

Seeing the prices, I think I’ll just order the crimp/solder tools and dies to make my own cable assemblies. Convenience has just gotten too expensive.

Check out the cable assembly vendors mentioned in this thread. Also, DX Engineering, ABR, and others have cable assemblies in stock lengths that may suit your needs.

 

[mmckenna]

I've purchased RG-142 jumpers with N connectors from Tessco way cheaper than that.

 

[W4AXW]

A one time investment in the crimping tool and dies, you're set for a lifetime of making your own feedlines and jumpers at any length needed. Personally I'm using Crimp/Solder connectors and will never go back. With the proper coax stripper, connectors can be installed in no time. No need to over-pay thru the nose for a jumper made from whatever coax you like.