For about 7 years Ive run 250' to the trailer at the base of the big tower where it then went another 150' after a router to a microwave Internet link.
It was tied to the same bundle carrying all the hardline TX coaxes plus control cables for 4 rotators plus relay switching boxes for stack phasing. All carried on 1/4" EHS or on Rohn 45 legs. Never had a trace of problems even in a 2 transmitter HF contest or 1200-1500W on VHF bands. At least the 240VAC to the trailer was on its own 1/4" EHS run about 6' away. Carl KM1H ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 8:37 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Using CAT5 in place of coax (was video baluns) > That's why it's rated at 100 meters max distance when used for networking. > Now before everybody breaks their fingers posting anecdotal evidence to > the contrary I have done the same. > > It worked out great, till we starting loading that segment down. That > 400' run was replaced with fiber inside a month. There's all sorts of > stuff people do with CAT5/6 that isn't supposed to be done, like running > it parallel to or in the same conduit as AC power. Using it for a > transmission line has got to be right up there. > > Remember, I am only the messenger, the IEEE came up with these "rules". > > > On 05/07/2012 07:07 PM, Rick Karlquist wrote: >> I did some careful measurements of CAT5 cable a few years ago >> using a 4 port network analyzer (NOT a 2 port VNA with baluns). >> On my random sample, the characteristic impedance was within >> 5% of 100 ohms. The cable is fairly lossy, which is no >> surprise given the tiny wires. There doesn't seem to be >> any compelling reason to use it in place of RG-6. >> >> Rick N6RK >> >> _______________________________________________ >> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK >> > > > -- > R. Kevin Stover > AC0H > > _______________________________________________ > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2411/4983 - Release Date: 05/07/12 > _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
