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For the first time in three decades, I'm going to need to buy about 50 feet of 50 ohm coax.? I am installing an outdoor antenna, so will need it.? I am on a limited budget.? It will be used for the Softrock RX.? The antenna and Softrock both use BNC, so would prefer to stick to that since adapters add to the cost.? So, what coax brand is recommended?? Thanks.
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Hi, For receive only I'd recommend using RG-58, relatively low cost and you can buy it with connectors already attached from places like Amazon etc (probably eBay too though I don't do eBay).? Just go to amazon and do a search for RG-58 cable.? You could also buy from HRO (where I uasully get my LMR-400) but it would cost you more there.? The loss through 50 feet of RGB-58 will be minimal, for Vhf/Uhf I usually use LMR-400, but it can be very pricey. . .
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" <><
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
HF/LF RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portable: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
HOMEBREW: 7 Tube+Rect 1v3 Regen RX for LF (built 2015)
SDRS: Perseus 10KHz-40MHz (2020)
Softrock Ensemble II LF Receiver (kit, 2017)
Softrock Ensemble II HF Receiver (Kit, 2019)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW LF-MF Pre-Amp, 8Hz Audio Filter.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Comet CHA-250B HF Vertical at ~24 Feet AGL For HF.
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~16 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
Merced, Central California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
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On 6/15/2021 12:30 AM, JonI via groups.io wrote:
For the first time in three decades, I'm going to need to buy about 50
feet of 50 ohm coax.? I am installing an outdoor antenna, so will need it.
I am on a limited budget.? It will be used for the Softrock RX.? The
antenna and Softrock both use BNC, so would prefer to stick to that since
adapters add to the cost.? So, what coax brand is recommended?? Thanks.
|
For above 28 MHz and VHF/UHF, I would use LMR 400 for cable lengths up to 70-100 ft. 73, Gordon Beattie, W2TTT 201.314.6964 Get Outlook for Android<> ________________________________ From: [email protected] < [email protected]> on behalf of Philip Atchley <ko6bb1@...> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 11:46:38 PM To: [email protected] < [email protected]> Subject: Re: [softrock40] coax recommendations? Hi, For receive only I'd recommend using RG-58, relatively low cost and you can buy it with connectors already attached from places like Amazon etc (probably eBay too though I don't do eBay). Just go to amazon and do a search for RG-58 cable. You could also buy from HRO (where I uasully get my LMR-400) but it would cost you more there. The loss through 50 feet of RGB-58 will be minimal, for Vhf/Uhf I usually use LMR-400, but it can be very pricey. . . <>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" <>< Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons) Phil, KO6BB, HF/LF RADIOS: YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020) YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019). Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020) Portable: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020) Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021) HOMEBREW: 7 Tube+Rect 1v3 Regen RX for LF (built 2015) SDRS: Perseus 10KHz-40MHz (2020) Softrock Ensemble II LF Receiver (kit, 2017) Softrock Ensemble II HF Receiver (Kit, 2019) ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher. HOMEBREW LF-MF Pre-Amp, 8Hz Audio Filter. HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's. ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF. Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL. Comet CHA-250B HF Vertical at ~24 Feet AGL For HF. Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~16 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF. Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner. Merced, Central California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh On 6/15/2021 12:30 AM, JonI via groups.io wrote:
For the first time in three decades, I'm going to need to buy about 50
feet of 50 ohm coax. I am installing an outdoor antenna, so will need it.
I am on a limited budget. It will be used for the Softrock RX. The
antenna and Softrock both use BNC, so would prefer to stick to that since
adapters add to the cost. So, what coax brand is recommended? Thanks.
|
Agreed.? But my recommendations for RG-58 was based on two factors.
1.? The rigs in question are Softrocks, which I presume means that it'll be used primarily for LF or HF.
2.? The poster of the question indicated that cost was a big factor, and that would preclude use of LMR-400 (overkill at lower frequencies).
Now, having said that.? Here is what I personally use. . .
1. For the 88' dipole it is fed with 450 Ohm ladderline and a balun into a tuner.? Works well on all bands 75-10M with nice low loss.
2. Comet CHA-250B is fed with 40' of RG8X (maximum power here is 200Watts) on 75-10M.? NOT a great antenna, but it fills an occasional? need for a vertical (14x65' mobile home, NO large yard, no room for radials? or anything).
3.???? Active whip and Wellbroke loop (receive only antennas) fed with RG8X.
4.???? The Diamond Discone and Comet GP6 & GP3 antennas fed with appropriate lengths of LMR-400.
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" <><
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
HF/LF RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portable: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
HOMEBREW: 7 Tube+Rect 1v3 Regen RX for LF (built 2015)
SDRS: Perseus 10KHz-40MHz (2020)
Softrock Ensemble II LF Receiver (kit, 2017)
Softrock Ensemble II HF Receiver (Kit, 2019)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW LF-MF Pre-Amp, 8Hz Audio Filter.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Comet CHA-250B HF Vertical at ~24 Feet AGL For HF.
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~16 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
Merced, Central California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
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Show quoted text
On 6/15/2021 4:15 AM, w2ttt wrote:
For above 28 MHz and VHF/UHF, I would use LMR 400 for cable lengths up to
70-100 ft.
73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964
Get Outlook for Android <> ( )
________________________________
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> ( [email protected] )
on behalf of Philip Atchley <ko6bb1@...> ( ko6bb1@... )
Sent:
Monday, June 14, 2021 11:46:38 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]> ( [email protected] )
Subject: Re: [softrock40] coax recommendations?
Hi, For receive only I'd
recommend using RG-58, relatively low cost and you can buy it with
connectors already attached from places like Amazon etc (probably eBay too
though I don't do eBay). Just go to amazon and do a search for RG-58
cable. You could also buy from HRO (where I uasully get my LMR-400) but
it would cost you more there. The loss through 50 feet of RGB-58 will be
minimal, for Vhf/Uhf I usually use LMR-400, but it can be very pricey. . .
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" <><
Specializing in DXing NDBs
(Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
HF/LF RADIOS:
YAESU:
FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000
Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner,
25-1300MHz (2020)
Portable: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750
(2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
HOMEBREW: 7
Tube+Rect 1v3 Regen RX for LF (built 2015)
SDRS: Perseus 10KHz-40MHz
(2020)
Softrock Ensemble II LF Receiver (kit, 2017)
Softrock Ensemble II HF Receiver (Kit, 2019)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna
Matcher.
HOMEBREW LF-MF Pre-Amp, 8Hz Audio Filter.
HOMEBREW 4
Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long
Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded
Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Comet
CHA-250B HF Vertical at ~24 Feet AGL For HF.
Ratzlaff Active
whip, 5 Foot Long, ~16 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook
ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone
~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
Merced, Central California, 37, 18, 37N 120,
30, 6W CM97rh
On 6/15/2021 12:30 AM, JonI via groups.io wrote:
For the first time in three decades, I'm going to need to buy about 50
feet of 50 ohm coax. I am installing an outdoor antenna, so will need it.
I am on a limited budget. It will be used for the Softrock RX. The
antenna and Softrock both use BNC, so would prefer to stick to that since
adapters add to the cost. So, what coax brand is recommended? Thanks.
|
Wow! LMR400 connected to softrock with BNC connector. That will be interesting.
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM
Sierra Vista, AZ
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I use RG-8X for my HF station 100 watts, about 50 feet to the antenna. But
RG-58 would have worked as well. I don't think you need anything beyond
RG-58 for the Softrock. I think for HF and lower VHF, RG-316 would even
work for receive only. I use that for runs of a few feet up to 1296 MHz.
For my VHF portable station, which is no more than 100 watts, I use LMR-195
for runs of about 25 feet.
73, Zack W9SZ
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On Tue, Jun 15, 2021 at 4:38 PM Wes AE6ZM <wesbflyer@...> wrote: Wow! LMR400 connected to softrock with BNC connector. That will be
interesting.
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM
Sierra Vista, AZ
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If you're receiving only, then what about just using plain old 75 ohm RG-6? This stuff is used everywhere for wiring up free-to-air TV antennas and satellite TV dishes. If you're lucky like me, you might find a 100M roll dumped out in the rubbish skip! The only problem might be the connectors. F-type crimp connectors are standard for RG-6 so you might need adapters, though I believe RG-6 BNC crimp plugs are available.
Andrew VK3CHI
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On Mon, Jun 14, 2021 at 05:30 PM, JonI wrote:
For the first time in three decades, I'm going to need to buy about 50 feet of
50 ohm coax.? I am installing an outdoor antenna, so will need it.? I am on
a limited budget.? It will be used for the Softrock RX.? The antenna and
Softrock both use BNC, so would prefer to stick to that since adapters add to
the cost.? So, what coax brand is recommended?? Thanks.
|
Zack and Andew, pretty solid suggestions methinks. My shack sports a large spool of LMR400 and one of RG8x. Getting the 400 from outdoors into the shack is nasty, that stuff is STIFF! Since norm here is 100W on HF, max at 500, and VHF is less, power handling is not a concern. Distance is not a problem either, tower is 10 ft from the shack. In operation I regularly QSO with stations running 800W on 40 and 20 and get as good reports as I give them. So my view is for QRP ops Rg8x or similar works just fine.
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Thanks to all.? However, I seem to have solved the coax issue. Surely I thought the existing RG-8 I have had in place for three decades would no longer be any good, but out of curiosity tested it yesterday and found only a 1.5 dB loss at 30 Mhz over 75 feet.? Since it will only be used for HF, I am leaving it in place and will be using it.
Jon
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On 6/16/21 9:45 AM, Wes AE6ZM wrote: Zack and Andew, pretty solid suggestions methinks. My shack sports a large spool of LMR400 and one of RG8x. Getting the 400 from outdoors into the shack is nasty, that stuff is STIFF! Since norm here is 100W on HF, max at 500, and VHF is less, power handling is not a concern. Distance is not a problem either, tower is 10 ft from the shack. In operation I regularly QSO with stations running 800W on 40 and 20 and get as good reports as I give them. So my view is for QRP ops Rg8x or similar works just fine.
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Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
Wes WB7BR