[Towertalk] coax on new tower ( high desert )

[Steve Katz]

The problem with RG8 "foam" cables is the same problem that all "soft"
cables have, that being it's mechanically fragile.  If handled with care, it
should last a long time.  But it should not be clamped, ever, to anything,
and I'd avoid the use of even nylon tie-wraps with foam dielectric cables
other than hardline.  When taping foam dielectric cables (or spiral, air or
gas filled dielectric cables that are soft, including 9913, LMR400, CXP1318,
etc, etc), PVC tape may be used, provided it's not pulled tightly during the
wrapping, and the tap wrap loosely spirals a few inches of cable to its
fixing (boom, mast, tower leg, whatever).  If PVC tape is pulled and
stretched during wrapping, that is a failure waiting to happen.

WB2WIK/6

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." -
Mario Andretti

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Jon Ogden [SMTP:na9d@speakeasy.net]
> Sent:	Saturday, October 05, 2002 7:00 AM
> To:	xppq; Towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject:	Re: [Towertalk] coax on  new tower  ( high desert )
> 
> on 10/5/02 7:49 AM, xppq at xppq@pyramid.net wrote:
> 
> > What about use of RG8/U FOAM coax
> > in outdoor environment.   Again sealing
> > all connections well -  there is no air
> > dielectric here?
> > lots of UV sun here
> 
> RG8 is fine.  It's the good ol standby.  However, there are many newer
> cables that have far better performance.  Of course, RG8 is very cheap.
> It's 20 cents a foot cheaper than some of the other stuff.
> 
> I am beginning to recommend Cable Xperts CXP1318XF.  It has better loss
> and
> power handling characteristics over standard RG8.  More expensive yes.
> It's
> all in how much $$$ you have to spend!
> 
> 73,
> 
> Jon
> NA9D
> 
> -------------------------------------
> Jon Ogden
> NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
> 
> Life Member: ARRL, NRA
> Member:  AMSAT, DXCC
> 
> http://www.qsl.net/ke9na
> 
> "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
> 
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