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[TowerTalk] Evaluating coaxial cable not from a dealer

To: TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Evaluating coaxial cable not from a dealer
From: Steve K8JQ <stevejq@suddenlink.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2021 18:32:04 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Occasionally someone will post here or on other amateur radio forums coaxial cable for sale. Often unused, left over from a project, on a reel, pickup only, as-is where-is, cash. If one were to pursue such a purchase, what would one look for and/or do to validate that the cable is good?

An eyeball physical inspection of the cable is an obvious thing to do. One can see the outer layer of cable on the reel and perhaps both ends of the cable. Is that enough?

Should one make some electrical tests before handing over the cash? What tests and with what test equipment? A few spot frequencies? Wideband sweeps? Antenna analyzer? VNA? Transmitter with power meter? Something else? What would you do if both ends are not available or do not have connectors?

Is it OK to transport a reel with a few hundred feet (or more) of cable on its side or should the reel be "standing up" in the bed of a pickup truck?

What else to look for, think about, consider?

Steve, K8JQ
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