Posted: 6/17/2014 9:21:19 AM EDT
When it comes to Coax I have no clue what to do....is there a "coax for dummies" page? Or can someone give me the low down 
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Google is your friend 
Also this has some Coax info in it also. http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_6/46_Safes_andamp__Home_Security.html |
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The devil is in the details. RG-8 (which I understand is not officially anymore, now there is RG-213 which is sorta RG-8 to military specs of quality--as I understand it) is not the same as RG-8X, and not RG-58. For me, I use RG-8 for HF and LMR 400 for UHF/VHF and then RG-8X only for really short stuff (like from radio to tuner) where flexibility is needed and the run is short enough that I don't worry about losses. |
For my $26 Ed Fong PVC J-Pole (220Mhz) I purchased a 60' pre-fab segment of "Super 8 Low Loss" from The Wireman at Shelby Hamfest last year. Cost was $60....twice that of my antenna and nearly the same as I paid for my Wouxun HT that I use it with 
Call Debbie, she can help you out! (800) 727-9473 not affiliated, but good local peeps! |
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For VHF / UHF, I'd recommend the 400Max from www.dxengineering.com; good quality and a bit cheaper than the equivalent from ABR Industries. (ABR is top-notch though; particularly with their connectors.)
Of course since you're in TX, expect to pay sales tax. Here's a handy attenuation chart from Universal Radio to help you decide... Universal Radio Attenuation chart Josh |
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Quoted:
I want to run about 50' for my UHF/VHF radio, what would I use for low loss  Genuine Times Microwave LMR-400, not the "400" type clones. I cant recommend anything else for 144, 222, and short applications on 440. For 440 on up I look an Andrew Heliax type hardline. For 50-54 MHz and down I only use RG-213 Mil-Spec cable. I am very specific about what I recommend because these have the UV resistance and can be direct buried. I don't see the point of saving a few cents per foot to have the cheaper cable fail due to UV exposure or water intrusion. I only use RG-8x for jumpers of less than 10 feet and mobile mount applications where the length is less than 20 feet. |
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Quoted:
Does it need to be flexible for repeated bends, like around a rotor, or at the end that terminates in the shack? Quoted:
Quoted:
I want to run about 50' for my UHF/VHF radio, what would I use for low loss Does it need to be flexible for repeated bends, like around a rotor, or at the end that terminates in the shack? Thats right, real men use hardline 
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works fine, I use it at 4 watts to bang a repeater 45 miles away all day long..smiley
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Quoted: whatever use your graf {Elmer]  in real life it works fine /like I sad 4 watts into downtown all day long .....To be clear, I didn't say it didn't work. What I am saying is your leaving a LOT on the table by using 8x 'up to 100ft'. Thats all. Have a nice day.  |
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Quoted: Is there any coax cable that works "good enough" for both HF & UHF/VHF? I'm looking to get a buddipole which can transmit either and would like to stick with one type of cable. RG-213, good enough. LMR 400 better "good enough." |