[TowerTalk] Frequent crankup coax recommendation

[Roger (K8RI)]

Hi Jim,

I'll start by saying, I like the LMR cables...*except* the Ultra flex 
(UF) versions. The regular cables have a good reputation, but they are 
fairly rigid/stiff.  You can make rotator loops like a multi turn, coil 
spring that stand up well.  BUT as others have already said, the Davis 
BuryFlex is rugged, has a slippery and very tough jacket, and is much 
more flexible than the LMR -400.  It's not as flexible as the LMR-400UF, 
but the UF has a jacket that "In my experience" does not  stand up well 
out in the elements. The jacket is a rubber like material that is not 
bonded to the braid and can move when it catches on something. After 5 
years I had to replace all of the UF in my antenna system.  Considering 
all the pigtails start at 98' and are 28' long except for one which is a 
tad shorter, that is a lot of work.

73

Roger (K8RI)

Jim Miller wrote:
> I've got a 30ft three section crankup (AB1342) that I'll be putting up
> this spring. It will likely be cranked up and down nightly with a
> hexbeam on top. I was thinking of RG8x for its flexibility for the
> 20ft resulting loop and RG213 for the run to the mast and the first
> 10ft.
>
> I was wondering if LMR400 (DB version since it will need to be buried
> for most of the distance) might be a better choice. I was worried
> about a large diameter coax in such a loop but upon reading the 1"
> minimum bend radius for LMR400 I'm thinking it may be a good choice
> afterall.
>
> I've never seen any LMR400 except in web pics and a datasheet so I'd
> appreciate some advice from actual users.
>
> thanks
>
> jim miller, ab3cv
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