I'm sure most of you know this already, but there are different compression F-connectors for ordinary RG6 and for quad-shield RG6. I use "Ideal" brand connectors with matching compression tool, and t
Hi Pete, The "Ideal" blue-banded connectors for RG6 are part number #89-055, and the black-banded ones for quad shield are #89-056. They both use compression tool #30-603. 73, Jim W8ZR Smith N4ZR com
I'm interested in your comment about LMR400 and soldered braids, Tom. I understand the point about shield current flowing on the insde of the foil or braid closest to the center conductor, but if the
I believe that if you parallel two twisted pairs of a CAT5 cable, you'll have a 50 ohm transmission line.(Each twisted pair is 100 ohms). I've tried this with CAT5e cable and find it works well, even
When I did my test, I didn't use a balun - I just attached a coax connector to the CAT5e to get a rough check on the VSWR. The noise pickup was probably a result of not having a balanced feed. I made
Hi Jim, I agree that strings of ferrite beads don't present a lot of inductive reactance on the low HF bands, but you lost me with your comment about the reactance canceling the capacitive reactance
Hi Jim, I think we may talking at cross purposes! I certainly agree with your explanation about how a choke is in the common mode circuit, but not the differential circuit. In fact, that just what I
Hi everyone, I'm _finally_ trying to erect a decent vertical for 80m and 160m, and have purchased a 26m (85ft) Spiderbeam mast. I'd really like to hear from guys who have used this mast for these ban
My forthcoming 160m vertical requires about a 700 ft run of coax. I'd like to bury the coax over most of the run, but some of it will be elevated, with high UV exposure. (I'm at 7000 ft elevation and
My 26m Spiderbeam mast is made of a shiny black fiberglass material. Have users of this or the shorter Spiderbeam masts had experience with how well the masts hold up to UV radiation? My QTH is at 70
This discussion is beginning to confuse me. I thought the issue being debated was the optimal way to provide surge protection to safeguard our radios from unexpected line transients, and not how to r
As Tom notes, the widest possible matching range for a T-Network is with two adjustable capacitors (and, presumably, a variable inductor, typically a roller inductor). Constraining any one of these p
Paul, there are many people on this list who have comparable professional and ham credentials to yours. Nobody means any offense or wants to start an argument, but rather just want to understand how
I have two bidirectional 720 ft beverages that use 450 ohm ladder line, oriented NE-SW and NW-SE. The ladder line is supported by 4x4 wood posts, about 7 ft above ground, spaced every 60 ft. The ante
Hi All, I'm looking for one or (preferably) two connectors for 50 ohm 1/2 inch hardline - the CATV type, with a solid 1/8 in (approx) copper inner conductor, solid aluminum tube for a shield and an o
My 160m vertical is 79ft high (wire running up a 26m Spiderbeam fiberglass pole), with a capacity hat. Is it workable to put an 80m 1/4 wave wire on the same mast join both antennas at the base, in t
Many thanks to everybody who responded to my inquiry. I received over twenty responses, with many excellent suggestions. Turns out most folks homebrew their own connectors, using brass plumbing fitti
Helpful advice, Tom. Thanks. I've always worried about using silcone grease on connectors. I understand it helps seal the connector, but my fear is that it could interfere with the electrical bond. O