Rob Atkinson wrote:
> I have done business with Davis RF and based on that I think it is
> safe to say that they offer a quality product at a good price. Which
> brings me to the next point, to the ham who asked for advice on coax:
> If I were you I would forget about the Times Microwave cable and the
> 9913. If you are interested in quality and low loss there is only one
> way to go and that's with Andrew 1/2 inch heliax (LDF4-50).
I just gave away 200 feet of LDF4-50 with two new connectors. Often you
can find it used, in good shape "with connectors" for very little. Of
course when looking for heliax I look for the 7/8" as at least around
here it's easier to find. I picked up close to 400 feet to use in the
repeater a few years back.
> There is
> of course an initial investment, but it pays for itself over time. If
> you need a run that will last at least 20 years, that you can bury,
> drive over, step on,
I'd be careful about the 1/2", it is not something I'd want to step on.
I have crushed the 1/2" stuff. and the bends require quite a wide radius
to prevent kinking.
> and not worry about, this is the feedline for
> you. Also, the connectors are waterproof.
As are most N type.
> I advise checking the
> price per foot from Davis--I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
> It compares favorably with the prices for "made up" cables (ones with
> the connectors installed on them) from other vendors that are far
> inferior to Heliax. Sure you have to get the Andrew connectors and
> they aren't cheap,
You should be able to find them for around $30 to $40 although some
places have much higher prices. They are *relatively* simple
construction made of brass and would be (again relatively) easy to
duplicate if you have access to a good quality lathe and the skill
needed...or a good friend who does.
> but you only have to buy them one time. Of course
> this cable only works if you have a feedpoint that is physically
> supported somehow. Once you use Heliax any notion of going back to
> anything else except for short jumpers will be unthinkable.
>
>
Don't forget the need for pigtails or rotator loops made of flexible
cable like BuryFlex.
73,
Roger (K8RI)
> 73
>
> Rob
> K5UJ
>
>
>
> <<<There are lots of whores in the cable business. Most are nothing but
> brokers
> -- they are buying and selling stuff they know nothing about, and buy low
> sell high is the only consideration. Most of it is junk. There are no real
> specs for performance, construction quality, or uniformity, and even if
> there were, these turkeys wouldn't know how to test for them. They are
> moving boxes.
>
> When you find "bumps" in new coax, you're dealing with JUNK coax. There's a
> REASON it's cheaper. Stick with REAL cable companies like Belden, Times,
> Gepco, and Commscope, who actually manufacture their own cable. IF you buy
> anything with someone else's name on it, it's probably a company that
> doesn't mfr it, but buys it either from a mfr or one of those whores. There
> is good private-label cable around, but there's a lot more junk. A few years
> ago, I bought some excellent transmitting-grade RG6 with Pasternak's name on
> it. Comparing it's physical characteristics to the Belden catalog, I'd guess
> that it came from the Belden factory. I've not dealt with Davis RF or seen
> any of their products, so can't comment on them. I've done biz with The
> Wireman and feel that I got good stuff. I've bought connectors from RF
> Connection and gotten junk. When I called to complain, I was told, "hams are
> cheap."
>
> If you don't buy Belden, Times, Gepco, or Commscope, make sure you buy it
> from a vendor you trust to 1) know the difference and 2) buy good stuff from
> quality mfrs.
>
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