I have been looking for a coax cable loss chart that I can print out that has the commonly used coax cables including the smaller hard lines for ham radio.  More specifically I am looking for a chart that gives you the dB losses per 100 feet in the ham bands.  Most of the charts I have been able to find give the losses at 10, 30, 50, 100, 500MHz and so on.  Or they go from like 1MHz through to 1 GHz and you have to kind of guess about the losses at the different frequencies and this in not what I am looking for.  I was hoping to find something that would give a few steps in the HF bands and then 6 meters, 2 meters, 220, 440, 900 and 1240.  If anyone knows of a chart like this and where I can get a copy that would be great.  
Al, n7ioh

GagaParts is very high on my list of ham radio stores to buy from.  I had an item left on my porch by UPS and it disappeared.  I contacted UPS and GigaParts and GigaParts took care of everything very quickly and with no pain.  As with almost any business of any size sometimes things fall through the cracks.  I buy most of my gear from GigaParts because of price and service.  I have also used their 60 day lay-a-way to buy a few items that I did not have the cash to buy at the time.  I think they are the only ham radio store to offer a lay-a-way of any kind.  Just a very happy customer.  

Al, n7ioh  

After getting a little heat over my statement about the 3CPX800A7 being cleaner then the 4CX stuff I spent this morning doing some checking.  I should have stated yesterday I was thinking of the IMD figures when I made that statement.  I was also referring to the tubes being used within their design limits and below 54 MHz.  I know I had read about Triodes vs Tetrodes from several highly respected hams that are known to know their stuff and be knowledgeable about amps, transmitters, and tubes.  I went to Google and did a search for, "Tetrodes""IMD""Triodes".  I then went to those that looked to be related and clicked on, "cached" so that my search words would be highlighted making the subject matter easier to find.  After reading many articles from highly regarded hams I have not changed my mind.  Rather then get into a debate here on who is right or wrong.  I would like to suggest those interested do a Google search as I did and then decide for themselves.  

Al, n7ioh

I have bought from HRO and also AES along with GigaParts and R&L and have been satisfied with all.  I think I have bought from Hamcity once, a small item and had no problems with them.  I have used Universal and have not been real happy with them.  The item was not in stock never did get the items I ordered from them.  It was for my JRC JST-245 radio and it needed to be ordered from the factory.  

When you order just say you would like an unopened TH-F6A.  Also don't be afraid to email them and ask what their return policy is.  Most may have their policy on their web site.  The reason I say email them is then you have it in writing.  The F6A is a great radio I can't imagine you not being happy with it but we all have different expectations and conditions.  If you generally buy from the same company I would think they would consider you a regular customer and be more willing to bend a little down the road if you should have a problem.  I do most of my buying from GigaParts for several reasons.  They usually have very good prices and the free shipping on most orders over $500.  Then there is their lay-a-way which I have used a few times to buy an item on sale and with a rebate when I did not have all the money at the time.  You might just give them a call to see when they expect to get the radios in stock.  As far as buying an item from a dealer that is not close to you.  Well, I am like you a little.  I would prefer they be close for faster shipping, but that does not always work.  Some companies just seem to always get the stuff out right away and then their are the others.  GigaParts seem to be a little better then R&L but it's hard to say.  If you want something right away, ask them when the item will ship and how it will be shipped.  After dealing with a company a few times you can get a feel for how they operate.  Did you check to see if they have the antenna in stock and its price?  R&L and Hamcity are $39.95 and GigaParts is $44.96.  I don't know about the rest.  I have found that Universal's website is a little more difficult to use then most.  I don't know of much else I can say.  Good luck

Al, n7ioh

Hi Vishal, I am using the SRH320A and it is excellent.  I have the TH-F6A and it used the SMA connector.  If you read the reviews on the SRH320A you will see that most users agree it is a great antenna.  I always read the positive and negative reviews and decide if the product is right for ME.  

As far as buying the TH-F6A I have been getting the best prices from R&L Electronics and from GigaParts.com.  They  are both great to do business with.  GigaParts.com has a 60 day lay-a-way if you need it.  

Al, n7ioh

Hi George, well now you went and did it.  I can't hardly wait for the fun to begin.  OK, I will put in my two cents.  Because so many of the newer radios you noted have not been around long enough for some good head to head actual knock down on air comparisons during heavy 6 meter activity about all we have is the ARRL's evaluations to go by.  Just my guess, I would say it would be an Icom or a Kenwood coming out on top.  My friend Bill NN6I had the TS-480 and loved it and is also a 6 meter active ham.  I am sure you will hear a lot of the same kind of replies about almost every rig.  I can tell you that the JRC JST-245 is a wonderful HF and six meter rig.  I have one I bought new and have no plans on selling it.  

I know you said HF & 6 meter rig but I kind of figured the discussion will go this way anyways.  There are some great HF rigs out there and with a good transverter you would have a great set up.  I personally like the Elecraft XV50 transverter.  I am planning on getting one for my Kenwood TS-850SAT with the DSP-100.  

If you can find one, the Drake TR-6 is also a great 6 meter only rig.  It does allow for the use of a transverter for 2 meters and I would think other bands.  I have one of these with the RV-6 VFO and again it's not for sale.  These rigs can cost more than a new HF & 6 meter radio does new.  

Oh, and don't forget you will want that amp.  I am going to buy the Command Technologies HF-2500 HF amp and I think it is one of the best.  I have heard nothing but good about all of their amps including their VHF-1200 6 meter amp.  I don't know if I will be buying a 6 meter amp or not but if I do it will be the VHF-1200.  The 3CPX800A7 tubes run a lot cleaner then the 4CX stuff.  

I know, I didn't really answer your question, but it is food for thought.

Al, n7ioh

Hi Bert, http://www.mods.dk/ has the FT-3000 manual in zip format.  I think the FT-3000 manual is the same as the FT-3000M.  I think you have to register with them to get the free downloads.  They also limit the amount of downloads per week if you don't join to one.  Registering and joining are not the same.  In joining if I am correct requires a small donation to help with the costs.  If you join I think you can download as much as you want.  

Al, n7ioh

Maybe we could convince eHam.net to have a section where "licensed hams" could list stolen ham equipment.  I don't mean like the one currently in forums now.  The current forums Stolengear is not very user friendly.  It could be set up similar to mods.dk where it is listed by brand and then by model.  This would allow for quickly checking, for example an Icom IC-730 sn. 3456789 or Kenwood TS-850SAT sn. 1234567.  Then list the hams call sign, date stolen and where stolen.  The reason I said licensed hams is that way we could more easily contact them should the stoled gear be located.  Email address are always changing along with phone numbers and home addresses.  But with a call sign we can look them up even if they have changed call signs and at least find an address we can write to (at least most of the time).  There should also be a way for the owner of the stolen gear to report it recovered.  I would guess this could be done the same way we are allowed to edit our classified ads.  

One nice thing about being able to look up equipment by make and model is if you were shopping for a used Kenwood TS-850SAT for example.  You could write down or print out the section showing those that have been reported stolen before you go shopping for that radio.  If you had a list of items you wanted to buy you could copy and paste them all together and print it out.  

I am sure the web master and the eHam staff could come up with something that would work just fine given some time and encouragement from us.  They may need to get someone to be a manager for the Stolen Equipment section.  I don't have a clue how difficult that would be.  Maybe drop eHam.net site manager Mike Gilmer, N2MG an email showing your interest would help.  You can try this email address, forumsmaster2@eham.net

Al, n7ioh

I don't know if there has ever been a real test to see who makes the best Balun.  But I can tell you that I would only consider buying a balun from DX Engineering.  I think they make one of the best and they will stand behind it.  They make just about anything you could want and they make the heavy duty stuff for governments and commercial use.  They are happy to answer your questions and they have loads of information on their web site.  Here is a link to their web site.

http://www.dxengineering.com/

     Al, n7ioh

Just remove the reflector and the director and you can use it vertical or horizontal.  The formula used in this antenna is, Driven= 433.84/f MHz, Hairpin= 61.55/f MHz.
There is no magic here.  You will still have to check it out for resonance where you want it if you are moving it much from the design frequence.  

      Al, n7ioh

Hi Brian, here is a link to what I think you are looking for.  I also have some additional information that is not posted from emailing Joe Leggio, WB1HO directly ref the antenna should you want more information.  

   http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm

    Al, n7ioh

I forgot to add that this is great stuff.  Well worth a look see.  

     Al, n7ioh

I was not able to get the link to work so I went to the ARRL and did a search and found the link in PDF file format.  Here is the link I found.

http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/dx-basics.pdf

       Al, n7ioh

Have you looked at the MFJ-1708 TR switch.  I bought one so I could use a seperate receive antenna.  I think you can download a schematic from their web site.  It is located in the instruction manual, last page.  You may be able to adapt their schematic to your needs.  

      Al, n7ioh

I don't see why you could not use the tower for the bands below the AM broadcast band.  I would think it might be fun to see what you could pick up.  Being vertical you might get a lot of noise though.  

          Al, n7ioh