Topband: Common mode choking of beverages

[Jim Brown]

CAT5/6/7 cables consist of four 100 ohm twisted pairs, each with a 
different twist ratio to minimize crosstalk between the pairs. Indeed, 
there is nothing inferior about it as a feedline as compared to coax, 
except that it may see its Zo modified slightly if it's laying on the 
ground or very close to another conductor. CAT5/6/7 pairs have fairly 
low loss.

Bottom line -- nothing wrong with what you're doing. You're just smart 
enough to know that it is a perfectly good way of feeding a Beverage.

73, Jim K9YC

On 10/6/2020 10:22 AM, Mikek wrote:
> My experience, I have short BOG with a 230 foot CAT5 feed line. I use it 
> mostly for AMBCB receiving.
> Signal strengths are good, S9+ on night time 1000 mile away stations. 
> Daytime reception is also good.
> But I have no comparison to Coax. My common mode chocking is, "I've been 
> told unconventional", "probably
> doesn't work", however my feedline doesn't pickup AM stations, so if my 
> BOG has any directionality,
> the feed line doesn't alter that.