Topband: CAT5 cable as feeder for reversable Beverage

[Herb Schoenbohm]

On 4/14/2011 10:38 AM, Arunas LY2IJ wrote:
> Is it worth trying to use outdoor CAT5 to feed reversible Beverage?
> There are 4 twisted pairs inside, paralleling 2 for both directions will
> give something close to 50 or 75 ohms.
>
> Any idea what is coupling between pairs? Any other risks?
>
> 73 Arunas LY2IJ
>
> _______________________________________________
>

As a feedline, as in any "twisted pair" like old phone line was called,  
CAT-5 has been successfully used as a feed line for RF.  There is no 
reason it should not perform any worse than 200-300 ohm ribbon for the 
same feed.  Using long amounts of CAT-5 for the actually Beverage itself 
has mixed reaction for reversibles due to cancellation issues.. Yet 
twisting all the conductors together for a single wire BOG works well 
here.  The indoor cable does deteriorate quickly under the elements 
outside.  It probably does better added to your ground radial system if 
you have some lengths looking for a place to hide.

Herb, KV4FZ