Coax question for Base station

#409120

Hey guys,
I have presently a horizontal dipole at my base station and run 50 feet of Jefa Tech 213 U.
I have on order a Procomm Proton pt99 antenna to try out my first vertical antenna ever on my Newbie base station and plan on a switch to pick which antenna is best at any particular time. I will need 75 feet and was considering again using the 213 U but the price is about 100 bucks which is fine but I see 75 feet of RG8X on a popular CB site for 59 bucks. I don't know if I can mention them here or not so I won't. They say it is premium quality and their top of the line bla bla bla fine. I did some research and get confused with all the different brands of USA made or crappy offshore or supposedly good offshore brands, imitations etc. My setup if that matters is modest with a smiled on Galaxy 949 ,RM Italy KL-503 non HD,each with their own power supplies. Is 213U overkill and would the RG8X work just as well at 75 feet?
Most of the cable will be inside the garage if that matters. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
73's and thanks

#409121

Hey..

213U is great and I’ve used RG8X on a lot of application, but I’ve upgraded over the years and use LMR400 exclusively.

Bombero

#409124

Thanks for the reply. Would you say then the RG8X wasn't noticeably worse than the better coax you have used?

#409126

Hey..

RG8X was my ‘go to’ coax.

Modified RCI 2950 getting out about 27 watts.

I’ve talked as far as Norway, Finland, and Germany.

Bombero

#409127

Got it thank you

#409148

Check out the prices on eBay, ARP, Belden, Columbia, Commscope, these are USA manufacturers but good quality coax is not cheap. Anything over 100ft I use a LMR400 type coax, RG213flex on anything shorter.

3’s

Greg

#409153

Thanks MD

#409391

I would go the LMR400 as a go to coax I use the RG8X for portable HF station its ok for that.

Jason
VK6KS

#409514

Thanks!

#409541

the thing you want to look at is the amount(percentage) of sheilding, as well as overall quality,
i put up RG8? over 30 years ago and it is still working,

#409543

Thankyou. That is impressive!

#410108

Super60 wrote: ↑June 22nd, 2022, 9:28 am Hey guys,
I have presently a horizontal dipole at my base station and run 50 feet of Jefa Tech 213 U.
I have on order a Procomm Proton pt99 antenna to try out my first vertical antenna ever on my Newbie base station and plan on a switch to pick which antenna is best at any particular time. I will need 75 feet and was considering again using the 213 U but the price is about 100 bucks which is fine but I see 75 feet of RG8X on a popular CB site for 59 bucks. I don't know if I can mention them here or not so I won't. They say it is premium quality and their top of the line bla bla bla fine. I did some research and get confused with all the different brands of USA made or crappy offshore or supposedly good offshore brands, imitations etc. My setup if that matters is modest with a smiled on Galaxy 949 ,RM Italy KL-503 non HD,each with their own power supplies. Is 213U overkill and would the RG8X work just as well at 75 feet?
Most of the cable will be inside the garage if that matters. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
73's and t

U are leaving out another choice, it is RG-8 or RG-8/U.. It is larger than 8x but should cost less than 213..
Do a google search for Coax Loss Chart.. Good Luck..
73, W.G.

#410510

Thanks!!

#410534

Is the wider the diameter of coax the better for receiving stringer signal strength readings on a CB radio in a base station setup?

#410538

In general it is yes; the distance between the center conductor
and the outer conductor has less loss, but the materials the coax
is made of has to be factored in.. W.G.

#410552

"ladder line" is another type ,

unlike coaxial , that can be used, is cheaper, and can solve some problems, and cause others

,there is a bit of science involved and then there is a trick , called a "balen" , which is created by looping the coax several times usually at the base of the antenna. (sounds like you have extra coax)

you can also cut it, but be leary of the SWR and wavelength theories.
all this helps with SWR, which is the culprit that effects good signals.

#410649

For HF, 213 is fine but for the price it's overkill, unless you're running at least a KW. Where I work, we used RG8X for runs up to 100' because the difference in performance is not worth the added cost for 213. Also mentioned was good ole RG8, also a good choice if cost is a concern.

#410650

Good advice thanks.

#411413

I run LMR 400 Flex for my imax 2000, an all band dipole and Hex Beam but I run an amp some of the time. LMR 400 flex to goes around corners and tight places. The regular (stiff) LMR 400 will short out if bent to much when taking curves and corners.

#411422

Thank you sir

#411423

Choosing the right coaxial cable for your setup is crucial for

optimal performance. The choice between Jefa Tech 213 U and RG8X depends on various factors, including:

-

Length of the cable
-

Frequency range you'll be using
-

Budget

Since you plan to have 75 feet of cable, it's essential to consider the cable's attenuation characteristics, especially if you're using CB radio frequencies. RG8X is a popular choice for CB radio setups due to its cost-effectiveness and good performance at shorter cable lengths. However, it does have higher loss compared to thicker cables like Jefa Tech 213 U.

Here's a recommendation:

-

If cost is a significant factor and most of the cable will be indoors, RG8X should work reasonably well for your setup. It's cost-effective and should perform adequately for CB radio frequencies. Make sure to get high-quality RG8X from a reputable supplier.

-

If you want to minimize signal loss over the longer cable run and are willing to invest a bit more, you can consider sticking with Jefa Tech 213 U or even exploring thicker coaxial cables like RG-8/U. Thicker cables have lower attenuation and can be more suitable for longer cable runs.

Remember that the quality of connectors and the way you install and maintain the cable can also impact performance. Properly terminated connectors and secure installations are essential.

In any case, make sure to double-check the impedance (most CB radios and antennas use 50 ohms) and ensure that your connectors and adapters match the cable you choose. Additionally, you might need a lightning arrester and grounding to protect your equipment from lightning strikes, especially for outdoor installations.

Overall, both Jefa Tech 213 U and RG8X can work for your setup, but the choice depends on your budget and how critical minimizing signal loss is for your particular application.

#411424

Thanks for your time and info ,, I do appreciate it!

#411432

Thanks, Bozo. Excellent information!

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