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Reviews For: Times Microwave LMR-400

Category: Feedlines (coax, ladder-line, etc.)

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Review Summary For : Times Microwave LMR-400
Reviews: 16MSRP: 0.70 per foot
Description:
Low-loss flexible coax cable, which uses standard connectors.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.timesmicrowave.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00164.6
AB0RE Rating: 2009-09-24
Not too shabby Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used LMR-240-UF, LMR-400-UF, and LMR-600LLPL in previous installations.

I've noticed with the LMR-240-UF and LMR-400-UF the outer jacket of the cable is too "rubbery" for my liking (soft & rubbery = not durable). Additionally, the jacket is not adhered well to the braid.

With the LMR-400-UF, when trying to screw on PL259 connector the connector grabs the jacket and either pulls it up towards the connector or twists it (instead of seating the PL259 properly on the cable like one would hope). For .405" outer diameter coax I still prefer my trusty old Davis RF BuryFlex cable as the jacket is MUCh more durable and it doesn't move around when installing connectors.

Times Microwave LMR-240-UF has the size characteristics of RG-8X with increased power handling capabilities. It makes a great cable for jumpers inside the shack. Times Microwave has a handy "de-rating" calculation in the technical information section of their website that will tell you the maximum power handling at any temperature, SWR, frequency, and altitude. One odd thing with the 240-UF is that it has a bit of a memory... if you make a moderately-sharp bend in it the cable will retain that shape, which is odd for an "ultra-flex" cable.

The LMR-600-LLPL cable was a plenum-rated cable used for a hospital ham-radio install in our area. Due to it's thick size it was a bit difficult to work with, but seemed like a quality cable overall. devinitely don't buy the $200 Times Microwave .610" Hex-Die crimper if you need to install connectors on LMR-600. Quality ratcheting crimpers can be had on eBay for less than $40 shipped.

Whereas Times Microwave's cables are "good for the money" and don't get me real excited, I think it fair that I mention how happy I've been with their coax connectors. Time's Microwave is the only connector company I know of that include instructions on the back of the connector package and includes a piece of adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing to go over the rear of the connector to ensure it's weatherproof. They're definitely worth the extra few bucks each over the competitors connectors.

(I know my wholistic review included four items... the rating is for the LMR-400 cable itself)

73,
Dan / ab0re
W2MB Rating: 2008-02-29
LMR400F Great Stuff Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I use 110' of the LMR400F (flexible version) to feed a dual band (2m/440) FM vertical at 60' which is mounted on top of a rotatable HF yagi. A Times N connector on one end and an Amphenol PL259 connector on the other. It is obviously a high quality product that is as easy to work with as any other RG8 style coaxial cable. It works fine at VHF and UHF frequencies at my installation. It appears very similar in construction to Belden 9913F that I use to feed to HF yagi on the same tower.
N2CLB Rating: 2007-02-05
the best Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
i have used nothing but lmr-400 from the time i 1st tryed it out all i can say is this stuff rocks for the price
W8JJI Rating: 2006-09-30
LMR400-DB direct burial Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is all I use at this QTH.

The "Direct Burial" (DB), has a water-resistant paste or film coating the braid and it DOES keep water out.

The LMR-400DB also has a foil layer along with the braided shield.

I have used it on HF thru UHF for several years with NO problems .

Exellent coax!
N4MWY Rating: 2006-07-13
great coax! Time Owned: N.A.
This is mostly what I use.

Has the flexibility that Andrew hardline does not have-this is essential when mounting on a tower where the antena has to rotate.

The losses it has are low at the hf frequencies; a more expensive and less lossy cabling could be considered for vhf uhf and microwave.

Has the added benefit of utilizing standard connectors.

N4NYY Rating: 2005-12-29
Too stiff Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Would have been better stranded. The solid center conductor just won't form to the shape to want to keep it at. If the stiffness is not an issue, then this is the way to go. Better than Belden 9913. Not nearly as good as Davis Bury-Flex.