Joe, My preference for flexible cables in the shack where PL-259 connectors are appropriate is RG-8X. If one needs quick connect/disconnect, then I prefer BNC connectors. Since the lengths are short, loss is not usually a consideration at HF. For a 3 foot long jumper, RG-58 will do just fine unless the power level is above 200 watts -- OK, there is no real reason to limit the RG58 power to 200 watts, that is just my personal "rule of thumb". RG-58 with Polyethylene dielectric is rated for 1400 volts, but the foam type is rated for 300 volts. If the SWR is 1:1, 300 volts of peak RF equals 225 watts. RG-8X with foam dielectric has a similar voltage rating. So if you want small coax at a higher power level, use the solid polyethylene dielectric, it is rated for 1400 volts peak and that can equal up to 4900 watts.
Bottom line, the only place where RG-8 size coax is necessary is at the output of a high power amplifier. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/8/2012 6:44 PM, Joe K2UF wrote: > Doing some station rebuild. Looking to get new ideas for coax patch cables > for interconnecting the K3 /P3 /KPA500 /(soon to be KAT500. > > > > Using RG8 type/size cable makes connecting all the equipment difficult. > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
