What Coax to use?

[KV7JB]

I'm finally able to put up an outdoor VHF antenna (replacing my wire in the window).  So now I need to buy 50' of coaxial cable to go from the back of the building to the front and in.  The cable will not be buried but will be run with connectors around the side of the building. I've done a lot of reading but can't decide which coax would be the best for this situation.  I am looking right now at RG8/U or RG213/U.  Questions :  What coax would be the best for this situation?  These or something else?  And what does the U stand for on the end of the coax number?  Who is a good supplier of coax?

Thanks
Julie
KV7JB

[KA4POL]

RG is derived from Radio Guide, old US military designator. The number comes from the page number of the military specifications. The A stands for braided wire, without A it would be solid copper (preferable for VHF). The U means Universal use. While RG8 is no longer in production RG213 is a direct replacement. They usually sell RG8 like or RG8 type coax.
According to Belden data the attenuation is 1.8 dB/100ft at 200 MHz. This is what counts. So loosing less than .9 dB in your case is no problem.

[K5LXP]

Many suppliers will call most 1/2" flexible coax "RG-8" as a generic name.  You didn't describe what antenna you're going to use or if the 50' run includes the vertical height along with the run alongside the house, but an "RG-8" cable will certainly work fine for most applications for that distance.  If you want to get particular and have a hard spec for cable performance, you can select a cable that comes with published performance spec's like RG-213, LMR400, Belden 8267, Andrews LDF4-50A, etc.  At the other end of the spectrum, RG-8X would have less than 2dB loss on 2M.  For most FM repeater type of use 8X would work just fine, would be easy to route and wouldn't cost a lot.


Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[K7KBN]

Just to point out that most "1/2 inch" coax such as RG-8, RG-213, 9913, RG-11 has a nominal 0.405 inch outside diameter.  Quality PL-259 connectors are a good, snug fit.  If the OD was 1/2 inch, it'd be REALLY difficult to install the connector.

[W6OP]

What are your future plans? You say VHF so I assume 2 meters, later will you want a dual band antenna for 440 as well? Or do you think you may want to try some 900 MHz work? Plan ahead and use coax that will work at the higher frequencies like LMR-400 or even hardline if you think you will be doing UHF work in the future.

Pete W6OP

[N0OKS]

Get yourself a copy of the ARRL handbook.

[W8JX]

What are your future plans? You say VHF so I assume 2 meters, later will you want a dual band antenna for 440 as well? Or do you think you may want to try some 900 MHz work? Plan ahead and use coax that will work at the higher frequencies like LMR-400 or even hardline if you think you will be doing UHF work in the future.

Pete W6OP

I was wondering how long it was going to take to turn a simple question into a complex answer

[VE3FMC]

Get yourself a copy of the ARRL handbook.

What a helpful answer 

Buy 50 feet of LMR 400, and you will be good to go. One point, do not put sharp bends in it. If you need to do that then use RG-213 instead.

[VE3FMC]

Get yourself a copy of the ARRL handbook.

What a helpful answer  Isn't this the Elmer Forum?

Buy 50 feet of LMR 400, and you will be good to go. One point, do not put sharp bends in it. If you need to do that then use RG-213 instead.

[AC5UP]

What a helpful answer 

Best answer in this thread...

The ARRL Handbook can answer this question and most every other that might come up in the future. It's an investment.

[K9KJM]

At VHF and UHF, Coax feedline loss becomes critical to good station operation.  Small low cost RG8X
(Mini foam type coax can be used up to 25 or so feet no problem, But when you need longer lengths, TIMES LMR400 is the choice to get, And is good up to 75 or so feet anyhow.

While other coax like RG213, "RG 8" etc will also work, (But not as well as LMR400) Only consider such coax IF you already have them, Or get them for free or close to it.   IF you have to buy the coax new, The real deal, TIMES LMR 400 is just .89 cents a foot in short lengths from places like Texas Towers:
http://www.texastowers.com/times_lmr.htm

[VE3FMC]

What a helpful answer 

Best answer in this thread...

The ARRL Handbook can answer this question and most every other that might come up in the future. It's an investment.

I do not disagree that the Handbook is not a good investment. However my point was that is a forum called ELMERS. I thought Elmers were hams that had been around for years and would answer questions that new hams have.

What is the point of having forums like this for asking questions if everyone just posted "Buy the handbook" ?

Could be I have a different opinion on how questions from new hams should be answered. Might be a Canadian Thing 

[KD4LLA]

[/quote]

I do not disagree that the Handbook is not a good investment. However my point was that is a forum called ELMERS. I thought Elmers were hams that had been around for years and would answer questions that new hams have.

What is the point of having forums like this for asking questions if everyone just posted "Buy the handbook" ?

Could be I have a different opinion on how questions from new hams should be answered. Might be a Canadian Thing 
[/quote]
Well these same questions get posted at least once a week it seems.  Often times I ask myself why the op didn't take the time to do a simple search of the forum here, to see if that question has ever been asked before.  Also, I have my copy of the ARRL handbook to use as a reference when needed.

How many times are people told they should drill a hole for their VHF antenna in the roof, yet they continue to describe all kinds of "what ifs" and "the wife won't" and "well when I trade it in", and want to use a mag mount?  I am getting off the pedestal now!

Mike

[AC5UP]

However my point was that is a forum called ELMERS. I thought Elmers were hams that had been around for years and would answer questions that new hams have.

What is the point of having forums like this for asking questions if everyone just posted "Buy the handbook" ?

Which is a bit like arguing that going to school is a waste of time since all you really need is a web forum where you can ask someone........

If you ever go in for surgery and notice the surgeon has a laptop next to the tray of instruments, consider beating feet out of there before the anesthesiologist does their thing.   

[W8JX]

If you ever go in for surgery and notice the surgeon has a laptop next to the tray of instruments, consider beating feet out of there before the anesthesiologist does their thing.   

And by what logic in this computer age does this have any merit? If you ever had arthroscopic or orthopedic surgery you would know that computers are kinda standard equipment in a OR.