[TowerTalk] RG218

[saul_abrams at dps.state.ny.us]

I have been using it for over 30 yrs when I got some new Navy(?) surplus 
for 10 cents a foot.  Mine has a very heavy-duty braided aluminium (?) 
shield jacket over the outside of the entire coax and had some green 
powdery stuff on it.   I think the braid was protection for when the cable 
is bolted to the outside of a ship.  Anyway, it weighed a ton and was 
indestructible.  I just laid it on the ground to let it sink in a little, 
and just drive over it when necessary.  I now have some connectors (very 
convenient) but  started by soldering pigtails onto it--the pigtail also 
avoids the cable-creep of the center conductor.  The center conductor is 
so large, that if you're careful, you can bore a hole in it to slip in the 
center of the 213.    It's sorta like the gorillas equivalent of 1/2 inch 
hard line because the loss is about the same as 1/2 inch hard line at HF 
frequencies, but rises faster at VHF.  If you don't have to lift it 
anywhere, or take it up a tower, it's great to use,  For going up a tower 
I would substitute LMR 400  and avoid the hardship.  Also, if yours has 
the outside braid, be sure to use gloves.   GL  73  Saul  K2XA