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write your own review of the Commscope #3227 (LMR-400 eqv).
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K3DAV
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 8, 2010 21:56
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OK but it's not true LMR-400
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I use Times Microwave LMR-400 on my 3 antennas. A Comet CHA250B HF vertical, a Comet GP-15 tribander for VHF/UHF, and a Solarcon I-MAX 2000.
The I-MAX 2000 was the last antenna to go up, and I got 60 feet of Commscope 3227 from a friend. It looked like LMR-400 so I gave it a try. I use the I-MAX 2000 for 17 through 10 meters. I had an SWR of 1.1 to 1.3 on 11 and 10 meters up to about 29.300MHz. From there to the end of 10M (29.700) the SWR climbed to 1.9.
On 12 meters the SWR was 1.9, on 15 meters it was 2.7, and on 17 meters it was 3.5. The tuner took it down to flat, but it still seemed higher than expected.
I replaced the Commscope with Times Microwave LMR-400. (The real deal). This changed things a little. SWR is now as follows....
12 meters continuously up through 10 meters is never above 1.5 at the extreme ends, and usually flat across most of the 10 & 11 meter bands
15 meters is 1.7 or 1.8.
17 meters is always less than 2.3.
I decided to do a little homework. Commscope 3227 and Times Microwave (TM) LMR-400 Are the same except for 2 important areas.
1. TM's LMR-400 uses a lower dielectric foam insulator than Commscope. This means less loss and more power to the antenna.
2. TM's LMR-400 has a foil shield that is molded directly to the foam insulation, and can not come loose or be removed. This makes the TM's LMR-400 virtually 100% shielded.
Commscope has a foil shield also, but it is just loosely wrapped around the foam insulation. You can just unwrap the foil easily. This allows the foil to move and even separate anywhere inside the length of the coax with rolling up and straightening the coax, or making turns and bends. This allows RF to leak in or out of the coax in several areas along the entire length. And can raise the SWR and make the antenna less broadbanded.
Let's face reality. Times Microwave has a patent on all of their LMR coax series. So no other company can legally copy their design exactly. They must make their version a little different to market it legally.
The loose foil and the higher dielectric foam makes Commscope's coax not equal to TM's LMR-400. It is still better than any other brand name standard RG-8 coax, and a nice alternative upgrade. But it is not equal to Times Microwave LMR-400. The subtle differences make the TM's LMR-400 a better coax, and worth the few extra pennies per foot. You get what you pay for. You spend big money for your radio and antenna equipment. Don't go cheap on the coax that connects them together.
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KI4OCF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 19, 2006 23:56
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Better coax, great price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought about 30' of this to feed a 6 meter antenna in the attic. It is the same size, less flexible, but much lighter than RG-8 (1/2 the weight?) probably due to the 10AWG copper-clad aluminum center conductor. Lower loss than RG-8, easier PL-259 installation and high quality construction. Bought at the 2006 Cary, NC Hamfest from DBJ Radio and Electronics who were very knowledgable about their products. Will most definitely buy more of the same coax again from the same supplier, and will also try the larger and smaller sizes in the future.
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N0TTW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2006 15:54
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A Cheaper alternative
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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If you're looking for an alternative to LMR-400, I would recomend this cable. Specs are very close to it and LMR connectors can be used.
I bought a 1000' role off of Ebay. With the shipping costs, the cable is .36/foot.
I have been using this for my cable runs on my tower as well as long runs in my shack.
This stuff can't be beat for a great alternative.
The spec sheet can be found by typing in "3227" on this search page:
http://dominoportal.commscope.com/CommScope/Eng/specsheets2.nsf/Web-All?OpenView
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