[TowerTalk] LMR 400, RG8 and Heliax

[Cqtestk4xs@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/5/05 7:18:50 PM Greenwich Standard Time, 
kdutson at sbcglobal.net writes:
For a 300 foot run on 20 meters I would not spend the extra money and effort
on hardline.  Save it for a 6 meter or above antenna.
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True......sort of.  If you are patient, and attend hamfests or have 
connections, you can find some used Andrew Heliax at prices even cheaper than LMR400 or 
even sometimes generic RG8.  I once picked up a 325 foot roll of brand new 
7/8 Andrew for $225 because the guy didn't want to take it back home after the 
hamfest.  I've picked up 7/8 Andrew hardline for sometimes as low as 
$.20-$.30/ft in lengths of 150+ feet.  1/2 inch is even cheaper.  The bonus is it can be 
buried.

Don't let the guys tell you the ends are expensive.  If you go to your local 
Andrew dealer they are, but if you want to make your own the topic has been 
covered before on this reflector.  You can get used connectors very cheap at 
hamfests.  I picked up a five gallon bucket of used 1 5/8 connectors for free 
when I bought some hardline from one of the vendors.  Even if you want to splurge 
on new 7/8 connectors, you should be able to pick them up on Ebay for about 
$20 each.  1/2 inch can be had for $5 if you are on your toes.

My station has somewhere around 2000 feet of hardline varying from 1/2 inch 
to 1 5/8 inch.  None of it cost me more than $.40- $.50 per foot.

Gotta go back outside and finish installing my free end connectors on the 1 
5/8 hardline. 

Bill K4XS............. A cheap ham, and proud!