[TowerTalk] Measuring Coax Loss

[Mike Besemer (WM4B)]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Besemer (WM4B)
> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 6:55 PM
> To: 'Tower and HF antenna construction topics.'
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Measuring Coax Loss
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> > bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Brown
> > Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 6:49 PM
> > To: Tower and HF antenna construction topics.
> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Measuring Coax Loss
> >
> > Todd asked:
> >
> > > Tell me again how I can productively use the more precise
> information
> > [0.6
> > > versus 0.62 dB loss in 208 feet at 3 MHz.] in constructing my
> antenna
> > feed
> > > line system.
> >
> > That's my point. If you're measuring a long piece of cable at a
> > hamfest, the
> > MFJ is plenty good enough. If you're measuring a 10 ft piece of cable
> > but
> > want to know how it would work on a very long run, especially at low
> > frequencies, you need the greater precision of the HP setup.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Jim K9YC
> >
> Still... a dB or so (or even 3) on a long run of coax isn't going to
> make a
> hill of beans difference for most applications... an S-Unit is ~ 6dB.
> For
> microwave and weak signal... sure, but you probably shouldn't be buying
> your
> coax at a hamfest if that's what your interests and concerns are.
> 
> Mike
> WM4B
> 

Forgot to mention... unless I actually SAW the 10' piece being cut off the
longer roll I was considering buying from, I wouldn't trust the measurements
anyway.

Mike
WM4B