K4EET
Chaplain
At my QTH, I am in need of replacing some aging coax runs and installing some new coax runs to some new antennas. I have plans to use Times Microwave cable throughout using:
I am going to have a mix of UHF and N connectors depending on the frequency and plan to install them myself. Times Microwave sells a Coax Cable Preparation Tool Kit for each of their cables individually as follows.
Question: Does anybody know of a less expensive Coax Prep Toolkit to install UHF and N connectors on Times Microwave cable?
At about $1,100 with Maryland sales tax for the three Times Microwave Coax Prep Toolkits, I might be better off hiring a radio shop technician that works independently on weekends when not on-call to install all of the connectors once the cable runs are finished.
Right now I am looking at about five (5) coax runs. At least one (1) possibly two (2) runs will have N connectors and the rest UHF connectors. Each run will have multiple connectors for lightning arrestors, feed-thru and the disconnect/patch panels and two runs will have 4-position coaxial switches running to four (4) different radio positions. I have not yet made an accurate connector count.
By the way, due to the complexity and composition of parts for each cable run, ordering cut-to-length LMR cables with installed connectors is not going to be feasible. So for now, I'll see what answer(s) I get to my question and I'll go back to my drawing board...
NOTE: Pricing is either from The Antenna Farm or Solid Signal
- LMR-200: Street Price of $0.61 (MSRP $0.72) per foot
- LMR-400: Street Price of $0.99 (MSRP $1.31) per foot
- LMR-600: Street Price of $1.89 (MSRP $2.27) per foot
- LMR-900: Street Price of $5.94 (MSRP $9.11) per foot
I am going to have a mix of UHF and N connectors depending on the frequency and plan to install them myself. Times Microwave sells a Coax Cable Preparation Tool Kit for each of their cables individually as follows.
- Times Microwave TK-195/200EZ: Street Price of $389 (MSRP $459)
- Times Microwave TK-400EZ: Street Price of $310 (MSRP $399)
- Times Microwave TK-600EZ: Street Price of $333 (MSRP $420)
Question: Does anybody know of a less expensive Coax Prep Toolkit to install UHF and N connectors on Times Microwave cable?
At about $1,100 with Maryland sales tax for the three Times Microwave Coax Prep Toolkits, I might be better off hiring a radio shop technician that works independently on weekends when not on-call to install all of the connectors once the cable runs are finished.
Right now I am looking at about five (5) coax runs. At least one (1) possibly two (2) runs will have N connectors and the rest UHF connectors. Each run will have multiple connectors for lightning arrestors, feed-thru and the disconnect/patch panels and two runs will have 4-position coaxial switches running to four (4) different radio positions. I have not yet made an accurate connector count.
By the way, due to the complexity and composition of parts for each cable run, ordering cut-to-length LMR cables with installed connectors is not going to be feasible. So for now, I'll see what answer(s) I get to my question and I'll go back to my drawing board...
NOTE: Pricing is either from The Antenna Farm or Solid Signal