[TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: 7/8" CATV Hardline

[Grant Saviers]

The DavisRF offerings are 50 ohm so not CATV 75 ohm cable.

The first question is, does DavisRF really have it?  With LDF5 on the 
price sheet but long out of production I doubt that it is in inventory.  
It has been replaced with AVA5-50.  I've used both LDF5 and the new 
AVA-5 which is a PITA since they thinned the outer Cu to almost foil 
thickness.  It is hard to strip and clean off the foam for connectors 
without damaging it and AVA unique connectors are required.  It is also 
very easy to dent.

Re Cellflex, at the lower price it is surely worth checking if it is 
really available.  I've never used it.

For other than the LDF series (4/5) the stripping tools are mighty handy 
to remove the jacket and prep the inner conductor, but they are very 
very pricey.   Some are on ebay but carefully check that they really 
work on the intended cable.   Ditto for connectors - most are different 
by cable manufacturer.

I got "how to" for the connector install from a pro, and recommend 
finding an cell installer or fellow ham that has installed connectors 
before to give you a quick course on how.  Many of the connectors are 
readily re-useable, so practicing on some cable scraps on is possible

If anybody has a source for LDF5-50A, let me know.  There are millions 
of feet on cell towers.  Surplus LDF4 is pretty available, I just scored 
a good amount from a going out of business cell contractor.

tessco.com is a major cell stuff supplier.  They show many RFS and 
Commscope cables in 7/8" on their web site.  I've bought lots of other 
stuff but not coax from them.

Grant KZ1W



On 5/12/2016 14:06 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
> Tim,
>
> Got any responses on this yet ?
> I am thinking of trying some 7/8" hard line from Davis RF.
> It is their 7/8" RFS Cellflex.  The connectors aren't too expensive, 
> about $13.00.
> Here's is their page for info.
> http://www.davisrf.com/heliax.php
>
> Anyone have any experience with this stuff ?
> I understand it is used a lot on cell towers.
>
> 73,
> Bob
> K6UJ
>
>
>
>
> On 5/9/16 2:31 PM, Timothy A. Holmes wrote:
>> Several years ago I was able to get about 100 feet of 7/8" Hardline 
>> from our local cable tv company as they were replacing it with heliax.
>>
>> If it is useful for my tower rebuild, I would like to put it into 
>> service there.  The question of matching and connectors rears its 
>> ugly head.  Again realizing that I am probably about to start a 
>> firestorm, I am asking for input / suggestions
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> TIM
>> W8TAH
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