I thought Cb rigs uesd the RG58
RG8U VS LMR400
- Thread starter ScanMaine
- Start date
- Status
902
Member
In a car, yes. You could run that in your home, too. But CB rigs can also use RG-8, RG-8X, and LMR400, too!
KC8ESL
Member
CB Radio users use whatever they want. There is no law stating "The user must use RG-58 cable to connect the transmitter ot the antenna". Most store bought antennas have RG-58 as the coax of choice for a mobile installation. Then again, so do a lot of amateur radio antenna manufacturers.
Back on topic, it should be noted that a major difference between RG-8 and LMR400 is the use of stranded (RG-8) or solid (LMR400) cores. Stranded is more flexible, solid is more desirable. Your pictures posted above will prove this statement true.
Back to the issue of shielding, the AVERAGE braid is about 88% coverage. RG-8 falls under this category. Foil shielding is 100% coverage and then add the 88% coverage braid for a good strong shielding on the LMR400 cable. Personally, at my shack, RG-8 won the battle because it was much cheaper, and dangit, I can live with an additional .5dB of loss on a 100' line.
If money wasn't an object, I'd be running 1-5/8" heliax to the top of a 300' tower. Money is an object so I'll settle with my $59.99 UVS-200(which is the best antenna I've ever owned) with 75' of RG-8.
Back on topic, it should be noted that a major difference between RG-8 and LMR400 is the use of stranded (RG-8) or solid (LMR400) cores. Stranded is more flexible, solid is more desirable. Your pictures posted above will prove this statement true.
Back to the issue of shielding, the AVERAGE braid is about 88% coverage. RG-8 falls under this category. Foil shielding is 100% coverage and then add the 88% coverage braid for a good strong shielding on the LMR400 cable. Personally, at my shack, RG-8 won the battle because it was much cheaper, and dangit, I can live with an additional .5dB of loss on a 100' line.
If money wasn't an object, I'd be running 1-5/8" heliax to the top of a 300' tower. Money is an object so I'll settle with my $59.99 UVS-200(which is the best antenna I've ever owned) with 75' of RG-8.
Where u get your antenna
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Also your using your coax and antenna to transmit and I'm not but you make some very very great points
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
I'm using a Ferret and an St2 antenna with rg6. The ferret is using the rg8u
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
KC8ESL
Member
Amazon. They've been known to leak at the center point but a bit of electrical tape made it a non-issue. YMMV.
10-4
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
n4yek
Member
Take a Ford Crown Vic sold to John Doe and take a Ford Crown Vic sold to the police department.
They might look the same but I can tell you, they are not.
Take a Ford Crown Vic sold to John Doe and take a Ford Crown Vic sold to the police department.
They might look the same but I can tell you, they are not.
LOL Good analogy!
N3JI
Member
I know this is an older thread, but there is an important issue to consider. The issue of transmitting or not is irrelevent (other than capability to carry higher current). Coax doesn't care what direction a signal is flowing -- if you're transmitting 800 MHz through a length of it or receiving 800 MHz through a length of it, the loss is the same. Just because you're using it for RX only doesn't mean you can use the smallest or cheapest of cables. In fact, I'd say it's MORE important for receivers because the level is so much lower. On a long run, the signal could drop into the noise where the receiver can't do anything with it. The difference between a long run of RG8 at 850 MHz compared to LMR 400 could be enough for your scanner to not decode a digital signal. What I did is run semi-flexible Heliax I just happen to have except for a small jumper at the antenna, and a longer jumper of decent double-shielded coax once inside the room. The LMR would be pretty much as good as that.
- Status
