Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

All, So, went digging into my crawlspace just now, and found my RG6 that I thought was Belden. It’s actually Coleman 92003, which isn’t quad shield, but has a spec sheet that actually shows attenuation at 1500Mhz! https://www.platt.com/CutSheets/Coleman%20Cable/92003.pdf Interesting that

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

RG6 for CCTV has copper shield and solid conductor. RG6 for CATV has aluminum shield and solid conductor. 73, Bill, WA2DVU Cape May -Original Message- From: time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Ryan Stasel Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 5:09 PM To: Discussion of

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi If you are going to mount an antenna outdoors on a > 100’ cable run … don’t use an automotive mag mount antenna. Even cheap cable will cost you more than the eBay price of a “real” timing antenna. The antenna it’s self may not be very fancy. The amp and filter in the antenna likely are much

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi There are a significant number of antennas out there (marine and survey) that run 50 db amplifiers in them. That’s *way* more than a TBolt was designed for. Some of the early GPS gear needed a *lot* of gain in front of it. To maintain compatibility with old setups, some manufacturers have

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi Bob, There's one thing I forgot to mention: the 5 yards of RG-174 that an active puck antenna usually has connected. That's probably a loss of more than 15DB right off the bat. But, if you're using a puck, you're probably using a short cable to your receiver, so you shouldn't cut the

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Lady Heather does say what the S/N for each satellite is. I use a lot of PA6H modules (the AdaFruit ones) and GPSMon also conveniently gives the S/N too. It’s in the GPGSV sentences. I’m kinda blessed in that my antenna location is just outside the wall from my workbench, and that position

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

I think all RG6 cable has a solid core otherwise the F type connector wouldn't work. I almost universally use an RG6 type cable for all my receive only systems. In fact, I came across several hundred feet of a Belden product labled 1694A HD-SDI Precision Video Cable 4.5GHz. This has a solid

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi Ok, well, let’s over think this a bit more: The antenna has 38 db gain. It *might* have a noise figure of 0.7 db. A typical modern GPS has < 2db noise figure. Anything over 6 db of net gain is “good enough”. On that basis, a line loss of 32 db would be OK. Your 100 M of quad shield at 21 db

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Bob, Fair enough. I’ll just stop worrying about it. =) I believe that number sounds like per 100 meter, not per 100 foot. Once I have the actual coax, as someone suggested, I’ll just hook some ends up, and check it. =) Sadly, I don’t have an SA, so checking the attenuation might be

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi Ryan, For the few years I've been on time-nuts, I understood the consensus view to be to get a good quality RG-6QS satellite cable. A few of the posts in this thread have made me wonder if the consensus is changing, or if it's just too much trouble to stand up to the crowd. I've got about

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

On 21 Apr 2016 01:00, "Bob Camp" wrote: > > Hi > > RG-6 Quad Shield should be fine as long as it’s meeting the published specs. The advantage of LRM-400 is that you likely *know* where it came from and what the specs are. There is plenty of coax marked LMR400 that is produced in

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Paul, LOL! So, along those lines… one other question, since I can’t find my belden, I’ll be buying some coax. Anyone have any opinions about RG6 for CCTV vs CATV? My understanding is the CCTV version always has a solid copper center conductor (which in my mind would mean less voltage loss for

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

The silicone tape also has the advantage (if buying from Uline) that you can get two (2) rolls; for the 3M Temflex 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape the minimum is 10 rolls. Jeremy On 4/21/2016 5:57 PM, William H. Fite wrote: Mark is right on target re the connectors; get the best you can afford.

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Mark is right on target re the connectors; get the best you can afford. Amphenol or equivalent. Self-fusing silicone tape is a lot faster and easier than the 3M black tape. Just stretch and wrap, it conforms beautifully, is highly resistant to UV, and won't stiffen and crack in the cold. Best of

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

All accurate accept the aging rate of any coax/heliax. Useful life =Years of expected life/woodpecker attacks. I would never have believed it but I am actually having trouble with those birds. :-) Just never know. Regards Paul WB8TSL On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 5:33 PM, Tom Holmes

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

That is more or less the same method I use for my amateur radio activities. Home Depot in Canada sells similar 3M products which is helpful during quick weekend projects. Professionally I've seen other methods used but on my own time I like the "splicing tape" covered with super "33 tape"

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Ryan... I've done a lot of tower work over the years, and have taken down quite a few antennas, which of course meant removing whatever seal was used and separating the connector halves. I have never found an N connector seized. Usually a gentle twist using a pair of pliers will break the

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

DX Engineering (another great compuany to do business with) recomends these two products: http://www.dxengineering.com/ 3M Temflex 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape followed with a covering of Scotch Super 33+ tape The rubber conforms tightly with the connectors and waterproofs the connection while

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px; } For long distance you need the right cable. Since the Antenna is likely designed for 50 ohms use 50 ohm cable If it's a fixed installation maybe RG8 with pl259 to N adaptor would be a good bet ? This garden

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

On 4/21/16 10:07 AM, Ryan Stasel wrote: All, Really awesome answers, thanks! For the sealing question, it was more of a “should I bother with something like anti-seize” or the like on the actual thread-thread N interface. The actual connector crimp, was planning on just using a couple layers

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Yup... layers = longevity 3M self-fusing rubber comformal coating 3M electrical tap (with a fold back for removal) conformal coating. I've got 12 year old connections that are still going strong with no measurable degradation. I always use the best cable and connectors I can find... do it

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Ryan a slight heads up. Time Nuts is not about time accuracy as many people assume. Its actually about the time we all waste looking for what we know we have. We just measure that time accurately. I do not use anti seize. Nothing against it just one more glob of stuff to deal with. If you use the

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

All, Really awesome answers, thanks! For the sealing question, it was more of a “should I bother with something like anti-seize” or the like on the actual thread-thread N interface. The actual connector crimp, was planning on just using a couple layers of the heat-shrink with adhesive. That

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 6:03 PM, Ryan Stasel wrote: > Other question: any tips for the exterior N connection? I can "weatherproof" > the actual cable-connector crimp, but I'm curious if anyone bothers to "lube" > the N connector to keep moisture from otherwise seizing it

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi Most of the data sheets on RG-6 Quad show it around 9 db per 100’. Like any of the “old” (RG) specs, there really is no control on who does what with a given type of cable. The direct burial versions seem to be a little more consistent. Bob > On Apr 20, 2016, at 6:48 PM, Pete Stephenson

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

With respect to sealing. Everyone has a method. I use what I learned in the Navy. I could see how well the connections held up in the worst conditions sun cold heat wet humidity... Layer of rubber tape scotch kote Layer of plastic tape scotch kote If done well the connector releases just fine even

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Ryan, LMR400 give you low loss and relatively high temperature stability. That's what I use. If you can get it at a decent price, use it. The foam core isolation is sensitive to being squeezed. Also be careful not to make tight bends, but rather let it have large bending radius. Cheers,

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

My $0.02 worth. If the cable is going to be exposed to sunlight and weather, long-term, be sure you get a cable type rated for UV exposure (polyethylene jacketed). If you really want to get something rugged, and you don't mind removing a bit of citrus-scented goo, go with 'DB'

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

I purchases NOS 3/8th inch hardline for my GPS antenna run. It had factory installed N connectors on it, so all I needed was an N to TNC adapter on the receiver end of my Trak GPSDO. Rob, NC0B. Sent from my iPad > On Apr 20, 2016, at 6:00 PM, "Bob Camp" wrote: > > > > Hi

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 10:41 PM, Ryan Stasel wrote: > All, > > I’m going to be installing a “permanent” antenna at home, and will need a run > of about 100ft to get from my workstation, to the mast I’ll be mounting the > antenna on (Symmetricom 58532A). I’ve seen some

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

N connectors should never need to 'lubed'. Properly assembled they are waterproof. Same goes for BNC. That's what the rubber gasket on the mating surface is for. Metrology grade Ns don't have the gasket but you shouldn't need it on your metrology bench. :) That being said, it never hurts to

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

I've gotten some very poor quality RG6 in the past, despite having purchased it from ostensibly reputable sources. Now I use honest-to-goodness Times Microwave LMR400. I have terminated LMR400 with BNC, PL259, SO239, and N connectors and never had one fail. It is not at all difficult to do. "The

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Bob/Paul, Thanks. And there's the rub... Who knows what the specs are on "generic" RG6 QS. I'll see what my seller wants for their LMR400, but otherwise yeah, RG6 is just easier. I have both compression and crimp connectors for it, including some RG6 N-connectors (yeah, they're probably for

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Hi RG-6 Quad Shield should be fine as long as it’s meeting the published specs. The advantage of LRM-400 is that you likely *know* where it came from and what the specs are. If you decide to split the antenna between GPSDO’s, a powered splitter is a really good idea. Each time you split

Re: [time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

Ryan, Several comments. LMR400 at 1500 Mhz is 5.1 db loss. RG 6 typically does not seem to have a spec that I could see in this range. But will guess 9-10db. So at least 3 db more. But that said RG6 has been used for Sat TV downlinks for years just fine and I have used it for GPS just fine also.

[time-nuts] RG6 or LMR400 for GPS Antenna (Symmetricom 58532A and T-bolt)

All, I’m going to be installing a “permanent” antenna at home, and will need a run of about 100ft to get from my workstation, to the mast I’ll be mounting the antenna on (Symmetricom 58532A). I’ve seen some indication that both the antenna and the Trimble Thunderbolt won’t have any issues