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Re: Topband: Using old 1/2 inch Comscope hardline for my 4-square

To: terry burge <ki7m@comcast.net>, topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Using old 1/2 inch Comscope hardline for my 4-square
From: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:08:37 -0700
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Have you tried an SFX-500 connector? These are made for 1/2" bare Al hardline, 50 ohm but the 75 ohm center conductor should be smaller diameter.

With a steppIR beam a broadband match is needed which rules out the common coax matching section. Sevick has designs of transmission line transformers for many impedance ratios including 50:75 ohms. Might be worth it at the antenna to reduce SWR loss if the feedline is long. Almost any tuner will match 75ohms at the amp/rig and most rigs are ok with 75 ohm coax swr's.

http://www.amidoncorp.com/transmission-line-transformer-handbook/

Grant KZ1W

On 6/25/2018 22:07 PM, terry burge wrote:
Hi guys and gals,


W9XT came up with a way to connect a PL-259 to a 1/2" hardline. Since I find the 
Comscope 1/2" hardline I got a whole 4' spool of is not even listed by comscope or 
any of the manufacturers of hardline I have to try and make a connector. Using his method 
the toughest part is to 'shrink' the copper clad aluminum or steel center lead. I don't 
think I can do it. So I'm thinking about using his method modified with 14 gauge wire 
thru the center conductor of the PL-259 and wrap it around the center conductor on the 
hardline. Then solder that in. Then use the brass tubing the way W9XT does and solder to 
the outside of the PL-259 and clamp on the aluminum outside of the hardline shield. THEN 
try using something like 'liquid Nail' squirted into the inside thru a small hole drilled 
in the brass tubing to act as insulation and give it some strength. Strength is the 
biggest problem for using the hardline I think and maybe running up my tower. I don't 
think it will be strong enough with
ou
  t something like the liquid nail and I plan to use a couple of long sections 
of heat shrink to help. Being in Oregon keeping water out of the connections 
can be a challenge. But drilling out that center conductor I don't think will 
work for me.


Liquid nail should harden up and I doubt it will have a problem with shorting 
out the hardline or PL-259. Time may tell another story of course. Various 2 
part glues like Loctite or Gorilla glue I don't see a good way of putting them 
thru the drilled hold in the brass tubing. Anyone know of something else that 
would come in a squeez type applicator that might do the job and be available 
locally? Water ingress and making the hardline connection strong I see as the 
biggest problems. Otherwise I think just using a small plastic or metal box and 
solder and clamp on wires forming some type of connection to a PL-259 or SO-239 
are about the only other alternative I can think of. Of course using 75 ohm 
coax and having a 'bump' in the impedance will be an interesting challenge to 
see how that works with my Steppir or other antennas designed for 50 ohms.


The hard line does ohm out good so that seemed a good sign. Isn't it fun using 
cast off coax from cable TV companies?


Terry

KI7M

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