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Re: [TowerTalk] measuring old coax, return loss ?

To: Ken WA8JXM <wa8jxm@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] measuring old coax, return loss ?
From: Wes Stewart via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Reply-to: Wes Stewart <n7ws@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 9 May 2024 01:05:43 +0000 (UTC)
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
   On Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 04:32:19 PM MST, Ken WA8JXM <wa8jxm@gmail.com> 
wrote:  
 
 "IDK, is "return loss" measurement necessary?"

Of course not.

"I checked some old coax a few years ago, connected a dummy load to the far
end and used the power meter on my Palstasr tuner to measure the input
power, then moved it to the far end for a measurement. Very little
difference in readings so I assume it was still good.  Am I missing
something?"

Only accuracy.  Otherwise, you are more or less using my "best" method 
described earlier.
So, it depends.  If the cable is going to be used for a 160-meter dipole you're 
probably good enough.  On the other hand, if you're going to feed a two-meter 
EME array, that's a different story.  I've done both.
Wes  N7WS


On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 2:14 PM Wes Stewart via TowerTalk <
towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:

>  The "best" way depends on what equipment you have to make the
> measurements.  In my best case, I have a DG8SAQ Vector Network Analyzer
> (VNWA) that, with proper calibration will measure the through loss directly.
  
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