Delivers1234
Member
Hi. I out up my comet gp3 antenna and did not loop the coax. I did use the coax clay stuff and coax tape to wrap the connectors. Will the coax be okay without the loop?
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Coax loop needed?
- Thread starter Delivers1234
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Some people put in a loop some don't, its not a requirement. If you look at most commercial installations there is an adequate amount of cable between the coax strapped to the mast or tower for play or wiggle room, but no loop.
fourwd1
Member
If you mean what is commonly called a "drip" loop, you'll be fine with out it.
About the only place a drip loop is useful is where coax penetrates a building as in cable and satellite installs. The cable usually runs down a wall past the entry hole then loops up to it so any water on the coax does not collect around the hole. That is pretty standard in the industry but not a drip loop at the antenna end.
In the instructions that came with my Comet GP-95 vertical antenna they state "to prevent extra heavy weight to the antenna, make one circle of coax by vinyl tape".
As prcguy points out... basically, the loop is there to provide some slack should the coax slip down over time. With coax properly fastened to the mast/tower, the loop shouldn't be needed. I never bothered adding one to my installation.
As prcguy points out... basically, the loop is there to provide some slack should the coax slip down over time. With coax properly fastened to the mast/tower, the loop shouldn't be needed. I never bothered adding one to my installation.
Kiniutech
Past login as: questnz
I only put a drip loop on one Tram antenna I use to have that had a problem with water getting into it. The prevents the water from contaminating a longer length of the coax most of the time. Moisture would get caught at the loop and not go any further most of the time, not a guaranty. Needless to say I don't use Tram Junk antennae anymore.
K6GBW
Member
I've been running a GP-3 for years with no loop and it works great.
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- Dec 18, 2021
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The "drip loop" is actually a strain relief on the coax to prevent the weight of the coax from constantly pulling on the connection at the base of a vertical antenna.
Lift a 50 ft coil of RG8U type coax and feel the weight of it. You do not want that weight tugging on a connector along with normal vibration from wind.
Lift a 50 ft coil of RG8U type coax and feel the weight of it. You do not want that weight tugging on a connector along with normal vibration from wind.
I think some of you are mixing up "service loop" and "drip loop" - two different functions.
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- Dec 18, 2021
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In general vernacular the loop formed at the top of the coax where the antenna is connected is referenced as a "drip loop".
I agree totally that it is not a drip loop and that a drip loop is placed at the service entrance of the coax to divert water coming down a feed line.
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