Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Thanks to all who have chimed in with their thoughts, very interested ideas have been put forth. I will keep reading and do some price comparisons. -Original Message- From: IRCA On Behalf Of Nick Hall-Patch Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 9:52 PM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable Good to see that we've opened the flood gates on this topic, James. Rodent bites have never been an issue at my coastal location in western Canada, and I forget that it can be a big issue elsewhere. OT: It's not like we don't have rodents, but perhaps they're all fat and happy from the continual feeding they get here from little old ladies of all ages and as many genders as floats your boatthey think they're feeding just the fluffy squirrels and the cute little chickadees. The day I saw, in broad daylight, six large rats working a bird feeder a few doors down made sure that I was never going to feed the wildlife, no matter how senile I became. On the other hand, no rodent bites on the coax best wishes, Nick At 12:35 2019-01-28, Mike Irizarry wrote: >I use rg6 flooded for all my low band receive antennas. I usually get >it from dx engineering. I have had very good success with it in the >midwest buried and just on top of the soil. The flooded capability has >mitigated small rodent bites. Some of the antennas I use it with are: 4 >square, k9ay, beverage, bog, and dhdl. >Hope this helps. It is not cheap, however. > >Mike > >On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:06 PM Nick Hall-Patch wrote: > > > Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going > > to be much help. > > > > I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent > > installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of > > them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX > > #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such > > conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor > > will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax > > still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. > > > > On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and > > such, and not suffered particularly. > > > > best wishes, > > > > Nick > > > > > > At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: > > >I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ > > >antennas and also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > > > >It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable > > >that > > will > > >last for a while. > > > > > > > > > > > >I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, > > >and if > > I > > >was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring > > >my cables into the shack? > > > > > > > > > > > >thanks > > > > > > > > > > > >James Niven > > > > > >Austin, Texas > > > > > > > > > > > >___ > > >IRCA mailing list > > >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > > >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > > > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of > > >the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the > > >opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > > > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > > > >To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > Nick Hall-Patch > > Victoria, BC > > Canada > > > > ___ > > IRCA mailing list > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of > > the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > >___ >IRCA mailing list >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the >original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the >IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org >
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
I don't see any reason (economic or electrical) to use any of the alternatives except Cat5 / CAT6. The balanced nature of twisted pair can only be an advantage. Chuck From: IRCA on behalf of Mark Connelly via IRCA Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 9:44 PM To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Cc: Mark Connelly Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
--- Begin Message --- No one has yet mentioned the other feedline option: balanced line. This takes many forms including speaker wire, two-conductor AC line cord (zip cord), TV twin lead, ladder line / window line, twisted pair, CAT-5 etc. Characteristic impedances are often in the 100 ohm range but will go higher for more widely spaced lines, e.g. 200-500 ohms. Dallas Lankford's articles recommend balanced feed rather than coax. https://www.okdxf.eu/index.php/technika/80-antenarska-kolekce-dallase-lankforda I have been using speaker wire on moderate length runs (under 60m / 200 ft.) with negligible loss below 5 MHz. Appropriate matching transformers are used to minimize loss. If you have "critter" problems, you can run through garden hose or conduit. Most of my runs are a bit above ground. Water ingress hasn't been a problem. Falling tree branches .. well that's another matter I suppose. Whether you use coax or balanced line, common mode chokes may be advisable on longer runs especially on low-signal-output antennas. Mark Connelly, WA1IONSouth Yarmouth, MA << Good to see that we've opened the flood gates on this topic, James. Rodent bites have never been an issue at my coastal location in western Canada, and I forget that it can be a big issue elsewhere. OT: It's not like we don't have rodents, but perhaps they're all fat and happy from the continual feeding they get here from little old ladies of all ages and as many genders as floats your boatthey think they're feeding just the fluffy squirrels and the cute little chickadees. The day I saw, in broad daylight, six large rats working a bird feeder a few doors down made sure that I was never going to feed the wildlife, no matter how senile I became. On the other hand, no rodent bites on the coax best wishes, Nick At 12:35 2019-01-28, Mike Irizarry wrote: >I use rg6 flooded for all my low band receive antennas. I usually get it >from dx engineering. I have had very good success with it in the midwest >buried and just on top of the soil. The flooded capability has mitigated >small rodent bites. Some of the antennas I use it with are: 4 square, k9ay, >beverage, bog, and dhdl. >Hope this helps. It is not cheap, however. > >Mike > >On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:06 PM Nick Hall-Patch wrote: > > > Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going > > to be much help. > > > > I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent > > installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of > > them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX > > #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such > > conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor > > will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax > > still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. > > > > On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, > > and not suffered particularly. > > > > best wishes, > > > > Nick > > > > > > At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: > > >I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > > >also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > > > >It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > > will > > >last for a while. > > > > > > > > > > > >I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if > > I > > >was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > > >cables into the shack? > > > > > > > > > > > >thanks > > > > > > > > > > > >James Niven > > > > > >Austin, Texas>> --- End Message --- ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Good to see that we've opened the flood gates on this topic, James. Rodent bites have never been an issue at my coastal location in western Canada, and I forget that it can be a big issue elsewhere. OT: It's not like we don't have rodents, but perhaps they're all fat and happy from the continual feeding they get here from little old ladies of all ages and as many genders as floats your boatthey think they're feeding just the fluffy squirrels and the cute little chickadees. The day I saw, in broad daylight, six large rats working a bird feeder a few doors down made sure that I was never going to feed the wildlife, no matter how senile I became. On the other hand, no rodent bites on the coax best wishes, Nick At 12:35 2019-01-28, Mike Irizarry wrote: I use rg6 flooded for all my low band receive antennas. I usually get it from dx engineering. I have had very good success with it in the midwest buried and just on top of the soil. The flooded capability has mitigated small rodent bites. Some of the antennas I use it with are: 4 square, k9ay, beverage, bog, and dhdl. Hope this helps. It is not cheap, however. Mike On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:06 PM Nick Hall-Patch wrote: > Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going > to be much help. > > I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent > installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of > them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX > #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such > conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor > will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax > still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. > > On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, > and not suffered particularly. > > best wishes, > > Nick > > > At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: > >I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > >also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > >It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > will > >last for a while. > > > > > > > >I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if > I > >was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > >cables into the shack? > > > > > > > >thanks > > > > > > > >James Niven > > > >Austin, Texas > > > > > > > >___ > >IRCA mailing list > >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > >original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of > >the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > >To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > Nick Hall-Patch > Victoria, BC > Canada > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
I use rg6 flooded for all my low band receive antennas. I usually get it from dx engineering. I have had very good success with it in the midwest buried and just on top of the soil. The flooded capability has mitigated small rodent bites. Some of the antennas I use it with are: 4 square, k9ay, beverage, bog, and dhdl. Hope this helps. It is not cheap, however. Mike On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:06 PM Nick Hall-Patch wrote: > Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going > to be much help. > > I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent > installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of > them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX > #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such > conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor > will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax > still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. > > On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, > and not suffered particularly. > > best wishes, > > Nick > > > At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: > >I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > >also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > >It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > will > >last for a while. > > > > > > > >I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if > I > >was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > >cables into the shack? > > > > > > > >thanks > > > > > > > >James Niven > > > >Austin, Texas > > > > > > > >___ > >IRCA mailing list > >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > >original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of > >the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > >To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > Nick Hall-Patch > Victoria, BC > Canada > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
There are a few important issues to consider with coaxial cable. 1) use a cable that doesn't have a cellular insulation that can take on moisture i.e. RG58c 2) do not use cable that is silver plated especially in a salt environment because the cable screen may disintegrate over time. 3) Most important! where the coax. is used to feed the voltage to an active antenna or amplifier. Make sure that exposed connector does not take on any moisture, otherwise there can be build-up of a conductive residue across the connector and this will generate considerable noise with the feed voltage. Ensure that the exposed connector is made water proof e.g. use a PVC fuse boot packed with Vaseline or Dow Corning DC4 silicone grease. Kind regards Andrew Ikin -Original Message- From: Nick Hall-Patch Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 4:06 AM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America ; nrc...@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going to be much help. I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, and not suffered particularly. best wishes, Nick At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: >I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and >also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > >It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will >last for a while. > > > >I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I >was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my >cables into the shack? > > > >thanks > > > >James Niven > >Austin, Texas > > > >___ >IRCA mailing list >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the >original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the >IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > >To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
I had RG58 in 'moisture' for a decade: in fact 70 metres at the bottom of a pond! Everybody said, that it won't work, but I didn't notice any problems. But I had them on the part, which was on the ground: hares bit it broke and 3 years ago I replaced it with a better one: Tri-Lan RF240. It wasn't cheap for almost 300 metres feed, but I think it will last as long as ... Now I buried it carefully a few cm also on the ground. I think all is well as long as the shield doesn't get breaks. Getting a length of coax inside a garden hose isn't as easy as it may sound, I tried. Some length goes easy, but in the end one needs to put first a string with air pressure. I am glad, that I didn't take the trouble. Best regards, Mauno Nick Hall-Patch kirjoitti 28.1.2019 klo 6:06: Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going to be much help. I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, and not suffered particularly. best wishes, Nick At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will last for a while. I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my cables into the shack? thanks James Niven Austin, Texas ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
It matters a little because you lose power due to the mismatch. In principle, you lose 5.7 dB when transforming 50 to 75 Ohms or vice versa. While not a lot, that is enough to make a noticeable difference with a small antenna or poor receiver. With a Beverage and a good receiver, no problem. RG58 is the 50 Ohm standard and is super widely available. But the most important reason to use 75 Ohm RF6 0 to me - is that the RG6 crimp connectors are waterproof. Chuck From: IRCA on behalf of Volodya S Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 9:57 PM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable Chuck, I stand corrected. For our hobby purposes, 50 vs 75 ohms doesn't seem to matter, and 75 Ohm cable is much easier and cheaper to find than RG 58 50 Ohm cable! Walt On Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 5:53 AM Chuck Hutton wrote: > Walt - > > Belden 8215 is RG6 and is 75 Ohms, not 50 Ohms. > > Chuck > > > From: IRCA on behalf of Volodya S < > can...@gmail.com> > Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 8:10 PM > To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable > > High, Jim! I think you have little to worry about no matter what you > choose, electrically, at least. The more important issue is durability. > Depending on what I'm doing, I use different coax cables. Lengths > shouldn't be an issue, either. We experimented with lengths up to 1000' at > Grayland many years ago, and no difference was seen between (K9AYs, I > believe) at the ocean shore, or right next to the Grayland Motel, so don't > worry about that. Next is weight. When travelling, I'll use the super > thin RG174 coax (50 ohm), which fits nicely into the suitcase at minimal > weight. For cost, one can't beat 75 ohm RG6 coax which can be purchased > everywhere for pennies a foot. I've used that a lot over the years, and it > lasts well for a number of years outside. Now for more permanent weather > impervious coax, I've used a very heavy duty Belden 8215 milspec 50 ohm > cable. I was fortunate to buy military surplus brand new role of about > 1000' or so years ago, and it's virtually indestructible, and can be buried > without worry about water infiltration, at least not for years. A local > DXer, Brian Chapel, gave a great idea, though, about what to use with > regular coax if one buries it on runs. He recommended buying a long run > (or runs that have been thrown out) of garden hose. What a great idea. > Then you simply run the coax through it from one end to the other. Don't > know if anyone has tried this, but if it remains intact, it should keep > coax dry and clean for many years, buried. Any other thoughts?73, > Walt > > On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:26 PM James Niven wrote: > > > I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > > also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > > It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > will > > last for a while. > > > > > > > > I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and > if I > > was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > > cables into the shack? > > > > > > > > thanks > > > > > > > > James Niven > > > > Austin, Texas > > > > > > > > ___ > > IRCA mailing list > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily refl
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Burying a cable in a garden hose or the like almost guarantees much of the cable will spend most of its life in water. It isn't trivial to keep it dry. Conduit will allow easier replacement if it has to be run under an area that you can't easily replace it in, or it can provide some physical protection but otherwise I wouldn't bother. The many miles of coax and other cables I have here are just buried in the earth without any issues in the last 20 years, other than from a boy and his trencher...(me). I would use flooded RG6 or similar for most rx only long term situations. 73 Don VE6JY On Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 4:11 AM Volodya S wrote: > High, Jim! I think you have little to worry about no matter what you > choose, electrically, at least. The more important issue is durability. > Depending on what I'm doing, I use different coax cables. Lengths > shouldn't be an issue, either. We experimented with lengths up to 1000' at > Grayland many years ago, and no difference was seen between (K9AYs, I > believe) at the ocean shore, or right next to the Grayland Motel, so don't > worry about that. Next is weight. When travelling, I'll use the super > thin RG174 coax (50 ohm), which fits nicely into the suitcase at minimal > weight. For cost, one can't beat 75 ohm RG6 coax which can be purchased > everywhere for pennies a foot. I've used that a lot over the years, and it > lasts well for a number of years outside. Now for more permanent weather > impervious coax, I've used a very heavy duty Belden 8215 milspec 50 ohm > cable. I was fortunate to buy military surplus brand new role of about > 1000' or so years ago, and it's virtually indestructible, and can be buried > without worry about water infiltration, at least not for years. A local > DXer, Brian Chapel, gave a great idea, though, about what to use with > regular coax if one buries it on runs. He recommended buying a long run > (or runs that have been thrown out) of garden hose. What a great idea. > Then you simply run the coax through it from one end to the other. Don't > know if anyone has tried this, but if it remains intact, it should keep > coax dry and clean for many years, buried. Any other thoughts?73, > Walt > > On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:26 PM James Niven wrote: > > > I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > > also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > > It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > will > > last for a while. > > > > > > > > I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and > if I > > was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > > cables into the shack? > > > > > > > > thanks > > > > > > > > James Niven > > > > Austin, Texas > > > > > > > > ___ > > IRCA mailing list > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Chuck, I stand corrected. For our hobby purposes, 50 vs 75 ohms doesn't seem to matter, and 75 Ohm cable is much easier and cheaper to find than RG 58 50 Ohm cable! Walt On Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 5:53 AM Chuck Hutton wrote: > Walt - > > Belden 8215 is RG6 and is 75 Ohms, not 50 Ohms. > > Chuck > > > From: IRCA on behalf of Volodya S < > can...@gmail.com> > Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 8:10 PM > To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable > > High, Jim! I think you have little to worry about no matter what you > choose, electrically, at least. The more important issue is durability. > Depending on what I'm doing, I use different coax cables. Lengths > shouldn't be an issue, either. We experimented with lengths up to 1000' at > Grayland many years ago, and no difference was seen between (K9AYs, I > believe) at the ocean shore, or right next to the Grayland Motel, so don't > worry about that. Next is weight. When travelling, I'll use the super > thin RG174 coax (50 ohm), which fits nicely into the suitcase at minimal > weight. For cost, one can't beat 75 ohm RG6 coax which can be purchased > everywhere for pennies a foot. I've used that a lot over the years, and it > lasts well for a number of years outside. Now for more permanent weather > impervious coax, I've used a very heavy duty Belden 8215 milspec 50 ohm > cable. I was fortunate to buy military surplus brand new role of about > 1000' or so years ago, and it's virtually indestructible, and can be buried > without worry about water infiltration, at least not for years. A local > DXer, Brian Chapel, gave a great idea, though, about what to use with > regular coax if one buries it on runs. He recommended buying a long run > (or runs that have been thrown out) of garden hose. What a great idea. > Then you simply run the coax through it from one end to the other. Don't > know if anyone has tried this, but if it remains intact, it should keep > coax dry and clean for many years, buried. Any other thoughts?73, > Walt > > On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:26 PM James Niven wrote: > > > I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > > also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > > > It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that > will > > last for a while. > > > > > > > > I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and > if I > > was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > > cables into the shack? > > > > > > > > thanks > > > > > > > > James Niven > > > > Austin, Texas > > > > > > > > ___ > > IRCA mailing list > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Walt - Belden 8215 is RG6 and is 75 Ohms, not 50 Ohms. Chuck From: IRCA on behalf of Volodya S Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 8:10 PM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable High, Jim! I think you have little to worry about no matter what you choose, electrically, at least. The more important issue is durability. Depending on what I'm doing, I use different coax cables. Lengths shouldn't be an issue, either. We experimented with lengths up to 1000' at Grayland many years ago, and no difference was seen between (K9AYs, I believe) at the ocean shore, or right next to the Grayland Motel, so don't worry about that. Next is weight. When travelling, I'll use the super thin RG174 coax (50 ohm), which fits nicely into the suitcase at minimal weight. For cost, one can't beat 75 ohm RG6 coax which can be purchased everywhere for pennies a foot. I've used that a lot over the years, and it lasts well for a number of years outside. Now for more permanent weather impervious coax, I've used a very heavy duty Belden 8215 milspec 50 ohm cable. I was fortunate to buy military surplus brand new role of about 1000' or so years ago, and it's virtually indestructible, and can be buried without worry about water infiltration, at least not for years. A local DXer, Brian Chapel, gave a great idea, though, about what to use with regular coax if one buries it on runs. He recommended buying a long run (or runs that have been thrown out) of garden hose. What a great idea. Then you simply run the coax through it from one end to the other. Don't know if anyone has tried this, but if it remains intact, it should keep coax dry and clean for many years, buried. Any other thoughts?73, Walt On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:26 PM James Niven wrote: > I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will > last for a while. > > > > I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I > was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > cables into the shack? > > > > thanks > > > > James Niven > > Austin, Texas > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
High, Jim! I think you have little to worry about no matter what you choose, electrically, at least. The more important issue is durability. Depending on what I'm doing, I use different coax cables. Lengths shouldn't be an issue, either. We experimented with lengths up to 1000' at Grayland many years ago, and no difference was seen between (K9AYs, I believe) at the ocean shore, or right next to the Grayland Motel, so don't worry about that. Next is weight. When travelling, I'll use the super thin RG174 coax (50 ohm), which fits nicely into the suitcase at minimal weight. For cost, one can't beat 75 ohm RG6 coax which can be purchased everywhere for pennies a foot. I've used that a lot over the years, and it lasts well for a number of years outside. Now for more permanent weather impervious coax, I've used a very heavy duty Belden 8215 milspec 50 ohm cable. I was fortunate to buy military surplus brand new role of about 1000' or so years ago, and it's virtually indestructible, and can be buried without worry about water infiltration, at least not for years. A local DXer, Brian Chapel, gave a great idea, though, about what to use with regular coax if one buries it on runs. He recommended buying a long run (or runs that have been thrown out) of garden hose. What a great idea. Then you simply run the coax through it from one end to the other. Don't know if anyone has tried this, but if it remains intact, it should keep coax dry and clean for many years, buried. Any other thoughts?73, Walt On Sun, Jan 27, 2019 at 10:26 PM James Niven wrote: > I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and > also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? > > It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will > last for a while. > > > > I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I > was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my > cables into the shack? > > > > thanks > > > > James Niven > > Austin, Texas > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax Cable
Haven't seen any response to this, James, and am probably not going to be much help. I've just used RG58 variants for up to 100' in permanent installations around the yard, 10 to15 years in some cases. One of them runs through about 70' of rigid PVC electrical conduit IPEX #032907 and is buried. Mind you, I've heard that although such conduit will keep the groundwater away from the coax, water vapor will condense inside, leading to a wet interior anyway. That coax still seems to work,so maybe it's dry...or maybe not. On DXpeditions, I've run over 500' of RG58 coax to DKaz'es and such, and not suffered particularly. best wishes, Nick At 22:26 2019-01-27, James Niven wrote: I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will last for a while. I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my cables into the shack? thanks James Niven Austin, Texas ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] Coax Cable
I am curious as to what type of coax everyone uses for DKAZ antennas and also general international shortwave band listening dipoles? It's time to revamp my antennas and I want to use the right cable that will last for a while. I have read that RG-8U is good for long runs of a 100 to 150 feet, and if I was to bury my coax, which is the best pipe/conduit to use to bring my cables into the shack? thanks James Niven Austin, Texas ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
