Topband: [Topband] When is coax 'contaminated' beyond use?

[terry burge]

Hi John and everyone,

Well, today along with some other antenna projects I swapped in the 9913 and it appears to be working OK. My dump power on the NE direction for the 80 mtr 4-Square is reading about 10-12 watts like it was before with 600-700 watts out, SWR 1.5:1. That looks the same as before. I usually run the Palstar tuner to the NE/SW to get SWR lower but I also note a little less power out too that way. Still got a good deal of difference when going SE/NW so still have to work on that. 4 square are a pain to tune up is my experience even though they do work.

Terry
KI7M

> On February 7, 2019 at 5:31 PM john at kk9a.com wrote:
> 
> 
> It would probably work however Belden 9913 is a poor coax choice for outdoor
> use. I too have had water pour out of it. I threw all of mine away decades
> ago and I would suggest you do the same.
> 
> John KK9A
> 
> 
> 
> Terry burge ki7m wrote:
> Sun Feb 3 22:54:54 EST 2019
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> 
> A few years back some 9913 I was using apparently got water in the coax. I
> say this because of fluctuating SWR issues and I noted the shield when cut
> into was almost 'black'. So for my minor purpose of using spare coax for my
> dump power on an 80 meter 4-square can some of this coax be used? When I
> scrap the shield after exposing it with a knife will reveal the shinny
> copper again so is that sufficient to use some for reading dump power on my
> wattmeter at the shack? Seems if I try and get readings like what I had with
> the LMR-400 then it could be used. Coax is so expensive these days I want to
> use my valuable LMR-400 elsewhere if possible. And having a convenient way
> of reading dump power is of course important too.
> 
> 
> Terry
> 
> KI7M
> 
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