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You can
write your own review of the Andrew Heliax.
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AA4HA
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 31, 2010 10:30
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Only the slightest downside
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I rate Heliax as a "5" across the board but do give few comments regarding the installation that would keep you from a perfect system;
If you use Ring-Flare connectors they are very finicky about making a perfect cut so the shield does flare out. If you can borrow a cable prep tool just for the connector work it is well worth it.
Make sure that you use a small file to bevel down the center conductor. If this is jagged it can cause an intermittent connection on the center pin.
Proper (and complete) weatherproofing is essential. This is a low density foam dielectric and if moisture can get into the cable you will have problems. Do not leave connectors without weatherproofing, even for one day.
Uncoil the Heliax, do not pull the kinks out of the cable. This stuff does kink easily and needs a bit more attention. Also, do not stand on it and follow the proper bend radii or you will kink it.
Use the silicone grease packet that comes with the connectors. Flood the entire inside of the connector body with this substance. It lubricates the O ring gasket and keeps moisture out of the Heliax.
I have used Heliax in commercial installations for several decades, if you follow the rules and take precautions this will be the last coax you will ever need to buy.
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NI0C
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 23, 2009 19:44
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Sturdy and not hard to handle
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently replaced the coax run under my driveway and the line to my remote relay box with Andrew FSJ4-50. Although the line is stiff and heavy compared to ordinary coax, I found these properties actually helped me in getting the line through the 1.5 inch PVC pipe buried under my driveway, as the hardline can be pushed as well as pulled.
This installation should last many years. As I have no experience in installing connectors to hardline, I chose to purchase pre-cut cables with N connectors installed by Cablexperts.
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KC2PSR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 2, 2009 08:31
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GREAT PRODUCT
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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MY STATION CONSISTS OF A YAESU FT450AT WITH A BUCKMASTER INVERTED V DIPOLE, 150 FEET OF 1/2 INCH ANDREW HELIAX TO THE SHACK. IF YOU ARE INTERSTED IN PUTTING UP A STATION THAT WILL LAST FOR YEARS THIS IS THE CABLE. I HAVE IT BURIED FROM THE SOURCE UNDER MY DRIVEWAY UP INTO THE SHACK IN THE ATTIC. THE PERFORMANCE IS OUTSTANDING RUNNING BAREFOOT I HAVE CONTACTED COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD. I HAVE ONLY BEEN LICENSED FOR 3 YEARS BUT PURCHASED THIS COAXIAL AFTER READING THE REVIEWS ON E HAM. YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED TOM KC2PSR
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N2QQF
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2008 20:12
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the Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use Andrew Heliax for work applications I use 1/2" 7/8" 1-5/8" and leaky coax (Radiax) and I can only say that I live by Andrew cable. Comm-scope is OK too but very hard to work with for the larger cables. I feed my towers with 1/2" hardline because it obviously has less loss than the other type cables.
The cost is quite higher than the other RG8 & 213 LMR-400 etc... I do use some of these cables because it is hard to run 1/2" hard line to switches and radios but my main line feeds are all Andrew Heliax. Put the money into Coax and Antennas and you will reep the benefits. I have a low noise floor which has to do with my grounds but also using good feed line reduces other interference weather from TX and also RX.
Spend the money on good equipment, it is worth it.
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N1RIK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 31, 2008 20:01
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The Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've used 3/8" and 1/2" heliax on my repeaters, and have never had to worry about it going "bad" on me. Anytime I had desense issues (which I have solved), it's been due to either the duplexer or jumpers, but not the main feedline.
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W4MJA
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2008 10:04
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Exceptional
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have worked with many different types of feedlines, and Andrew's Heliax is by far the best that there is.
I have 3/8" Heliax on all of my antenna's from 160-10. I don't have long runs of feedline, in fact my longest run is only 100'. When asked why I use commercial grade feedline, on my antenna's, I give folks these numbers:
100 Watts into generic RG8X at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you about 78 watts going into your antenna.
1500 Watts into generic RG8X at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you only about 1168 watts going into your antenna.
100 Watts into generic RG-213 at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you about 83 watts going into your antenna.
1500 Watts into generic RG-213 at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you about 1265 watts going into your antenna.
Lets do Andrews Heliax:
100 Watts into Andrews Heliax LDF4-50A (1/2" Hardline) at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you about 95 watts going into your antenna.
1500 Watts into Andrews Heliax LDF4-50A (1/2" Hardline) at 14 MHz with a 100' feedline length gives you about 1418 watts going into your antenna.
With RX, I can hear DX way before my neighbors who are running RG-213, or RG8X.
I would never run anything but Heliax on my antenna's. Between TX/RX I notice a difference, and it's a good one!
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N3ZC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2007 10:34
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The Best!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought 120' of 1/2" Heliax to run from my SteppIR BigIR Vertical back in to my shack, which consists of a 746Pro & an 811H. I got ribbed by friends before I bought it as being "overkill", etc, the usual bravo sierra. Well..I believe the system is only as good as it's weakest link...I have scored contacts with just about every new Dxped that's ventured out with my setup, mostly due (probably) on the "being able to hear them" side, with the SteppIR and the VERY low-loss 1/2" Heliax. I heard BS7H when they were "out on the rocks" (my friends couldn't)..but only had barefoot power (no 811H)...I firmly believe the Heliax has put me over the hear/not hear line as far as the weakest signals (loss-wise)..and, as far as the quality of the cable (and connectors too), there is no better cable. Only "down" side is it's like handling a slinky made out of a hula hoop! Would I ever use anything else?..Nope!
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N8RGQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 14, 2007 22:00
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Forget the AMP give me Heliax !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This coax should be given a 10 ! I switched out ever piece of cable here includeing the mobil with it . Since the change I swear it is like haveing a PREAMP but no extra noise and speaking of noise the mobil is the best place to find it but not any more ! I have used BELDEN coax for years but not ever agian ! I stick with the LDF-1 and LDF-2 you can use normal conectors with both and speaking of conectors spend the extra dime and buy the GOLD PLATED PL-259's they never tarnish . They hold the same Ohm's reading from the day they are installed till eturnatiy ! NASA dosen't put GOLD on every conection for looks , it will last forevery ! You can get LDF-1 for 99 cents a foot and that is alot cheaper then buying a AMP ! Don't run out and buy that AMP do yourself a favor and get the HELIAX first and setback and smile when you get acused of runing one ! :)
73,
Terry
N8RGQ
PS- I have a PW-1 but with Heliax I hardly evry turn it on ~
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N4MWY
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 14, 2007 14:23
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has low losses even on long runs
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Time owned: months
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It is hard to work with and care must be taken not to kink it. But it works great and has low losses even on long runs. I use Andrew Heliax on uhf and vhf where losses are greater.
n4mwy
Herman
Mobile, AL
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K2DC
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2006 12:56
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Best SHow In Town
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As an RF/Microwave and Antenna Engineer I've worked with Andrew Heliax in varying sizes for over 20 years. I've used FSJ4-50 exclusively with my ham equipment for about 15 years. While the loss is a little higher than LDF4-50, it's much more flexible and easier to work with. If you watch the swap boards and eBay patiently you can find it for not much more than the cost of new RG-8. Used connectors also show up, sometimes in bulk for only a few dollars each. They take a little more time to install than PL-259's on RG-8, but well worth the effort. I have several runs that have been in the air for about 15 years, and I expect them to outlive me. Absolutely - THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN
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