Time Microwave LMR 200

[Jimbnks]

I'm looking to improve my 800 MHz range a little more with a low investment cost.

Would the Times Microwave LMR-200 | LMR-200 Coaxial Cable (theantennafarm.com) using the Browning BR-6283 | 800 MHz Omnidirectional Base Antennas (theantennafarm.com)

I'm looking at a 30' feed line.

Pros, cons?

 

[mmckenna]

It'll work, but keep in mind that you'll loose 3dB of your received signal just in feed line losses. That's half your signal even before it gets to the radio.
That is certainly better than something like RG-58 (4.5dB loss, or about 2/3'rds the signal)

Regular RG-6 cable (yes, I know it's 75Ω) will perform a bit better than LMR-200 and will be less expensive.

Personally, I'd run something a bit better. 30 feet of cable isn't going to break the bank, and some LMR-400 will only result in 1dB of loss, or about 22% signal loss.

Keep in mind, you can offset the cable loss by using a higher gain antenna. Browning are pretty much bottom of the barrel when it comes to these antennas. If your budget allows, go with something with more gain, or a directional antenna, if all the stuff you want to listen to is in one general direction.

 

[Jimbnks]

Would it be safe to say these Laird Connectivity FG8063 | 800 MHz Omnidirectional Base Antennas (theantennafarm.com) are not much better?

 

[mmckenna]

Laird is a well respected company. I ran some of their UHF antennas for a while, and I think I have a few 800MHz antennas of theirs used as small fixed stations at work. Never had any issues with them.

Laird TE Connectivity FG8066

Laird TE Connectivity FG8066 800 MHz Omnidirectional Base Antennas 806-866MHz 6dB fiberglass omnidirectional, 100 watt power Direct N Female termination. Overall Length 65"

theantennafarm.com

Cost $60 more, but has 3 more dB of gain and will offset the feed line losses.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Or better yet, use both LMR400 and the better antenna