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AR15.COM
5/25/2010 3:07:41 PM EDT
I just got in a 150 feet of 8x coax for field use /go with my go kit. Before I get to cutting, in what lengths do yall think ?

Heres my thinking my tower can go as high as 40 feet so that I would need to have one at lest that length . Most of the time I only go up So I was thinking 60 , 60 , 30 , tower + 20 to get to the radio or RF choke  and then a odd piece for something smaller such as my beam on a pvc tower or a roll up hanging off a tree branch ect .

So yall guys with so experience what do yall think ?
5/25/2010 3:32:29 PM EDT
[#1]
Two 50' and two 25's?
5/25/2010 5:46:44 PM EDT
[#2]
I keep it in length and cut what I need, when I decide that I need it. I also put PL-259's on each end when I do cut it, that way when I take a piece I only need to attach one plug.
5/26/2010 5:19:00 AM EDT
[#3]
Yeah, I'd just cut what you need and leave the rest long for later.  
5/26/2010 7:36:03 AM EDT
[#4]
May be worth avoiding cut lengths that could resonate on your typical frequencies.  No point in having your feedline reduce your stations effectiveness due to coax lengths.

Remember to use your velocity factor when you figure lengths.

73

Steve
K9ZW
5/26/2010 9:33:09 AM EDT
[#5]
Hey Steve

Can you explain a little how velocity factor relates to cable length?

Thanks ,
-Slice

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
5/26/2010 12:23:39 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Hey Steve

Can you explain a little how velocity factor relates to cable length?

Thanks ,
-Slice

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile


http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/velocity+factor

What VF does is calculate the equivalence between theoretical (free space) and the wire/coax/conductor you are actually using.

Kind of like saying of you need 100 lbs of something and it comes in small packs that weight 1lb, but that 1lb includes 1/5 of a pound of packaging.  You need 125 small packs to get the 100lbs of the stuff.

That sort of thing.

I'll look up some reference that explain better and post links.

73

Steve
K9ZW
5/26/2010 4:09:23 PM EDT
[#7]
I never thought of vf with coax  

I have to factor VF in with electro magnet probes in my work on some older or odd ball systems .