Topband: Cat 6E Use for 160/80 meter Beverage Wire

[Wm. Freddy Curtis]

I would like to construct my first beverage antenna for 160 m and 80 meters.
I first thought about using 300 ohm twin lead - I have about 400 feet
(having read ON4UN's book 300 feet will be the cone-of-silence so would make
it that).  I also had Bruce Clark - K1FZ construct a KB-2 and KB-3 (300-450
ohms) transformers.  However, I recently found a partial spool ( 576 feet)
of Belden M - Mediatwist 1872A Cat 6 cable 4 Pair Unshielded each 23 awg.
Looking at the Belden website it states this cable is 100 ohm +-12 input and
100 ohm +-15 output.  

 

My question is this:  Can I use this cable if I combine the wires?  Example
tie the blue and blue/white with the orange/orange/white - for the first
terminal on the KB-2&3.  Then combine brown and brown/white with the green
and green/white - second terminal on the KB-2&3.  Again by combining the
wires together will it then be around 400 ohms?? Would it work with the KB-2
& KB-3 at 300 to 450 ohms??

 

This is my first beverage, and I believe the difference between 300 ft and
576 ft would be substantial in performance.  Would like also to know if
anyone else has used this type of cable for a beverage.  Thanks to all for
replies!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011.

 

73's,

Freddy Curtis - KC4GUG

Smithville, TN