[TowerTalk] RG8X rf power levels?

[Jim Brown]

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:28:39 -0800, Jim Lux wrote:

>There's quite a few kinds of coax going under the name "RG-8X", 
>so the datasheet may or may not help.

As usual, Jim Lux has provided the best answers to your 
question. To expand on the statement above, the RG-numbers are 
VERY generic, essentially specifying the SIZE and impedance of 
the cables, and little more. You'll find at least 4 dozen RG59s 
and a third as many RG6s in the Belden catalog, each optimized 
for a different use -- everything from indoor baseband video to 
indoor MATV to outdoor CATV cables and transmitting coax. 
Because RG8X is mostly used for transmitting applications, there 
are far fewer variations of it. Last I looked, The Wireman had 
two in his catalog. 

FWIW, I've run The Wireman's CQ118 (low loss RG8X foam) and 
Belden 8263 (RG59) at the 1,000 - 1,200 w level on HF for a year 
or more with no problems. I later replaced them with RG8 and 
RG11 for the lower loss of the bigger cables, not the higher 
power rating. The RG59 was on a 160/80/40 dipole that was tuned 
to the CW end of the bands, but I operated with pretty high SWRs 
during phone contests.

On several occasions, W8JI has observed that he uses an RG6 to 
feed his high dipoles at full legal power. 

73,

Jim Brown K9YC