uhf vhf

[KC2PTA]

ok here is my delemma: i need 200feet of uhf vhf QUALITY coax, my run is 6o' vertical(up the tower) and about 140' horizontal to my shack. i am using mostly 2 meters, but like to rag chew on a few 44o repeaters. i need to know WHAT is the lowest loss coax, with a resonable price, lets say $200

my budget: $200
length needed:200'
frequencies used: 144 & 440
radio: yeasu ft7800r
power used: 5-50W

my email is kc2pta@gmail.com

thank each and every one of you for your help.

[KB4QAA]

Check out various vendors catalogs of coax for specs and price, like Radio Works or The Wireman, or any other good vendor.

Compare the dB loss at VHF/UHF frequencies vs. the total cost and order what you can afford.   9913 or LMR coax is probably in your price range and provides the lowest loss short of going to hard line.

73, bill

[N0RZT]

If you're willing to budget $1/ft, then I don't think you'll have trouble getting the good stuff.

Looking only at one vendor's website:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/coax.html
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/coaxperf.html#atten
you can get...
LMR-400 at $0.79/ft (attenuation at VHF: 1.5dB/100ft; at UHF: 2.7dB/100ft)
9913 at $0.89/ft (attenuation at VHF: 1.5dB/100ft; at UHF: 2.8dB/100ft)

The only product listed that would bust your budget is LMR-400 Ultraflex at $1.19/ft.

Chris
N0RZT/8

[N6AJR]

most any thing in the 1/2 inch diameter size wil be "ok" and some better than others( rg8u, 9913, lmr400 etc). I picked up 2300 feet of lmr 400 a while back for $600 delivered, so that is what I use. my uhf runs are usually less than 100 feet.

go to beldon and see their look up table for their brand of cable. that will give you a good idea.

[KZ1X]

gee, with than much money to spend, why don't you just get some Andrew FSJ4?

[KD8Z]

Davis BURY FLEX (tr) is great stuff and compares to LMR-400, it takes the soil very well, at around $.80 per foot its great stuff.  Allow a bit extra around rotators, even being called Bury Flex its rather stiff, though very workable.

[K9KJM]

200 feet is FAR to long for the standard RG-8 size coax! Of any brand or version.

You can get good used Heliax at most any swapfest nowadays. Your best bet is a nice used length of 7/8" Heliax. Sells good used for under a buck a foot complete with connectors.
IF you cant find that, Some "spool ends" of cable TV hardline Trunkline coax, (3/4-1" or so) will also work for you on the cheap. That stuff is usually available for about free.
Belden 9913 series of coax has had LOTS of problems.
LMR-400 is THE stuff to use for VHF/UHF, But around 75 feet or so is the MAXIMUM length to use.
Sure, you could run it lots longer. You also will have a very poor performing station...........