Strange signal problems

[crippledchicken]

I have a new RS Discone installed with new PL259 connectors on each end of the coax. The coax is RG6 satellite wire rated to 2.25ghz. From what I have found is just moving the coax around or, turning the mast the discone is attached to causes my distant stations in the 154-160mhz range to change as for as signal strength and back ground noise? the pl259 plugs are both mounted good and the coax is not very old. now I do live in a mobile home and the antenna is about 25ft. high. I have some, excess coax but not much. the scanner is a new PRO 163 from RS. are these normal problems? I guess I could take my multimeter and test the entire length of coax but, it looks fine and not very old. Also, I thought discones were omnidirectional but I guess it does make some noticeable difference on distant stations. Also I have the mast grounded. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Bucko]

If moving the coax around changes your signal then I suggest you check your connections at your connectors. Best would be to use an multimeter to confirm that there are no open or shorts.

 

[zguy1243]

where did you get pl259's that fit on RG6 coax? Or are you using adapters?

 

[crippledchicken]

Connections are all fine and on the pl259's I used the screw in adapters from RS marked 176. I still, had to sand the coax jacket down some for it to fit through the adapter. Sadly, I found out it's just the crappy receive of the PRO 163 in this particular band. I hooked up my Uniden 9000xlt, and the difference was like night and day great reception on the problem frequencies! This is also the second pro 163 I tried as I took the first one back thinking it was the radio. If it wasn't for my area finally getting ready to go to trunking, the pro 163 would go back and I would just keep using the 9000xlt. I've been thinking about taking it back and getting a BCT15 but, there are none locally to try first so I would have to order and maybe get let down again. I cut about 10ft. of excess coax off and darn if it didn't add more, noise to the pro 163. really thinking hard, about getting rid of this scanner but then if they change to 800mhz trunking it may perform much better at those frequencies. I guess I'm all confused of what to do. LOL!

 

[prcguy]

Most modern RG-6 has a foil shield and a very sparse braid that does not solder well if at all. How did you solder the braid or shield of the coax to the PL-259?
prcguy

 

[zguy1243]

Yeah, just sounds like a poor receiver. I would just get a radio that works, the extra money to get a better radio isn't really that bad when you account for all your lost time and frustration dealing with crap gear.

 

[crippledchicken]

Most modern RG-6 has a foil shield and a very sparse braid that does not solder well if at all. How did you solder the braid or shield of the coax to the PL-259?
prcguy

I removed the foil applied solder paste to the holes where the braid could be seen used my 100 watt soldering gun with silver solder then tested for continuity before putting it up in the air.

 

[crippledchicken]

I don't know if the bct15 would perform any better or not but, I can order one for the same price as the Pro 163 and it even comes with the programming cable which I had to buy for the 163.

 

[hoser147]

The BCT15 has been a popular scanner.

 

[zz0468]

If moving the coax changes the signal, the connectors are suspect. It doesn't matter how good they look. Generally, RG-6 isn't solderable, and requires crimp type connectors. The discone IS omnidirectional, and the changing signal levels is probably caused by a poor connection at the antenna.

 

[crippledchicken]

Well, if it wasn't for good continuity readings and the non problems moving cable or antenna when the Bearcat 900XLT is hooked up, I would have to agree. now the contact that's being made between the braided wire and the PL259 Connectors may, just be due to compression but there is good contact. I think it's just the difference of quality in the front ends of the two radios. I'm curious now though so, I think I will test some of the braid by directly soldering to it. If it indeed, does not, stick I will be redoing the ends. Thanks for bringing that possibility up as I am a firm believer in good, connections in all my electronics work.

 

[smokeyjones666]

If you're using RG-6, you would probably be better off putting a proper F connector on the 6, using an F to UHF (PL-259) adapter and then wrapping the whole thing up in coax seal after you're sure you've got it all working correctly.

 

[crippledchicken]

If you're using RG-6, you would probably be better off putting a proper F connector on the 6, using an F to UHF (PL-259) adapter and then wrapping the whole thing up in coax seal after you're sure you've got it all working correctly.

I believe your right! as the solder does not, stick to the braid. Thanks!

 

[crippledchicken]

Wow! my local RS doesn't show anything like that to adapt figures, they never have anything I need.

 

[kb2vxa]

Smoky is right, you have bad connections to the shield. Cut back the ends a bit giving you fresh cable to deal with and use a stripper to get the proper cuts for crimp on F connectors. RG-6U uses a somewhat smaller connector than 6 quad shield, select the right ones. Forget Cell Shack, they're discontinuing their RF lines and their sales staff never was the brightest bulb in the house, Google another source.

 

[davidmc36]

I have found sometimes that just an ohmeter does not give you a good indication of whether you have a good connector install. An old ham guy showed me one day how a poorly soldered PL259 on some RG-8 for VHF had a couple of blobs that were well stuck but not all the way around. The meter showed basically zero resistance from one connector to the other, but the transmit was horrible and the recieve was not stellar. We got out the big-ass sonldering iron and filled in the gap between the connector shell and the braid all the way around and were TXng and RXng 5 on 5 all the way through the band. Good contact all the way around is neccessary for consistent signal.

 

[crippledchicken]

If you're using RG-6, you would probably be better off putting a proper F connector on the 6, using an F to UHF (PL-259) adapter and then wrapping the whole thing up in coax seal after you're sure you've got it all working correctly.

Well, I went to the local RS and they did indeed, have the F to PL259 adapters I needed so I have the ends redone now before the bad weather sets in LOL! I wish I knew they made such a critter before I put new ends on to start with but anyway thanks for the tip!

 

[Wirelesstek]

Change your coax for one thing.

I have never seen RG-6 that could have it's shield soldered.
The shield is almost always aluminum foil with aluminum braid so solder will NOT work.
RG-6 is intended for 75 ohm crimp connectors only.
Buy some RG8X and replace it.

 

[Wirelesstek]

RG-6 can't be soldered because the shield is aluminum.

And adapters if not properly waterproofed will corrode.

 

[crippledchicken]

RG-6 can't be soldered because the shield is aluminum.

And adapters if not properly waterproofed will corrode.

Yeah I realized it was aluminum when solder would not stick. I was so used to using the RG minni 8 with the copper shield lol! I got the F to PL259 adapters and used the putty type sealant to seal the connections it's pretty good stuff!