[TowerTalk] Belden 8285

[gdaught6 at stanford.edu]

On 18 Sep 2004 at 22:40, Keith Dutson wrote:

> Not sure, but probably oxidation.  At any rate, the loss goes up as it
> ages.
> 
> Keith
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Alan C. Zack
> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:30 PM To: keith at dutson.net Cc:
> Towertalk Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Belden 8285
> 
> What exactly happens to the foam in the coax?
> What are the indications when it goes bad?
> 
> I have some brand new RG-213 still on the reel that has been storage
> in my garage for about 18 yrs.

< snip >

> I am really tempted to use it but wonder what
> the indications would be if it has degraded.

Test the loss.  Hook up a dummy load at one end, and a transmitter 
and in-line power meter at the other end.  Put 100 w (measured by the 
power meter) at 28 MHz into it.  Then, shift the power meter to the 
other (dummy load) end.  Read how much power is getting to the dummy 
load.  See if the loss of the coax is within specifications; if so, 
use it!   I'll bet it's OK.

73,

George T. Daughters, K6GT