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

[Herb Schoenbohm]

On 12/25/2010 4:26 PM, Wm. Freddy Curtis wrote:
> 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
>
Freddy,

if you tie them together like you describe you will end up with a lower 
impedance then by floating the unused pairs...or a better solution is to 
tie them all together and make it a single wire
Beverage.  My experience with CAT 5 cable, unless it is the flooded 
outdoor variety is that it will not last long exposed to sun, rain, and 
wind.  The WD-1A is much tougher and even that need to be checked 
often.  Cheaper is 300 ohm twinlead  for 2 wire Beverages as long as you 
have numerous supports. Some TB specialist recommend you twist it to 
further reduce ground influences and pattern distortion or both.


Regards,

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ