Coaxial Rotator Loops

[Rus Healy NJ2L]

Keith, WB9TIY, writes:

>While on the subject of flex cable, has anyone done investigations on the 
>use of Andrew Corp "Super-Flex" heliax cables as rotor loops ??  I have a 
>couple of nice 0.5" diameter Super-Flex jumpers that would be just the 
>ticket IF they can handle the constant bending at typical Chicago temps 
>('ya know - -40 to +120 F).

This cable is quite popular with the VHF/UHF/microwave crowd, as
you might imagine. At last year's Central States VHF Conference,
I recall overhearing a discussion among a few prominent VHF guys
in which they traded stories about how their half-inch Super-Flex 
jumpers had eventually fatigued and cracked after being used as 
rotator loops for several years. That was enough to deter me, 
and the Newington climate isn't as cruel as it is in Chicago
(although it seems even worse some days :').

Your mileage may vary.


--73, Rus

____________________________________________________________________
 Rus Healy, NJ2L                                    rhealy at arrl.org
 Senior Assistant Technical Editor, QST            Tel 203-666-1541
 ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111-1494        Fax 203-665-7531
               1.8 through 3456 MHz -- and climbing!