Solid copper vs copper coated center; is it worth the price difference?

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videobruce

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For TV antenna receive only using RG11 (or RG6 for that matter), is there any real advantage paying more for solid copper center conductor and copper shield over copper coated steel center and non copper shield as far as loss and shielding ability (same coverage braid)?

The question stems because of the gross cost difference between solid copper vs copper coated.
 

DPD1

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This is one of those things that people always argue about... But if you look at the specs, they are virtually the same. The slight difference couldn't be heard under normal circumstances. The main difference is physical... The copper clad is stiffer, making it easier to install in harsh applications (pulling), and it stands up to abuse better than the solid.

Dave
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Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist
 

prcguy

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The satellite dish companies require solid copper center conductor RG-6 because of the DC power run up the coax to the LNB(S). Solid copper has less DC resistance. For VHF/UHF TV antenna use all the RF will run on the skin of the center conductor and steel core doesn't cause any additional loss. For very low frequency HF use where the RF penetrates the skin more, the steel core center conductor will sometimes have more loss at HF than higher frequencies.
prcguy
This is one of those things that people always argue about... But if you look at the specs, they are virtually the same. The slight difference couldn't be heard under normal circumstances. The main difference is physical... The copper clad is stiffer, making it easier to install in harsh applications (pulling), and it stands up to abuse better than the solid.

Dave
www.DPDProductions.com
Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist
 

videobruce

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The copper clad is stiffer, making it easier to install in harsh applications (pulling), and it stands up to abuse better than the solid.
If it is stiffer, why would it be easier to "pull"? :confused:

How about the braid? Any difference between copper and steel since skin effect doesn't really come into play here.
 
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zz0468

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I've seen some pretty poor quality copper clad steel cable... The copper cladding was VERY thin, and the RF loss on the cable was horrible. If you end up with the copper clad steel cable, see if you can't strip some back first and take a look at it. Or, stick with a known reputable manufacturer.
 

videobruce

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Which brings me to my main concern: the thickness of the 'coating', 'plating', or 'clading' (whichever you perfer to call it) and the possibility of it scratching, flacking or peeling off when it comes in contact with the center pin of a RG11 fitting.
This has been a concern even before I posted the question. Even though solid copper is probabaly overkill especially on thicker cables regarding the skin effect, there is no issue of it ever getting scraped off.
 
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