[TowerTalk] Rotor loop coax

[Bryan Swadener]

Hi Terry,
Flexibility has to do with the mechanical characteristics of the cable...
Outer Jacket: PVC is softer and therefore more flexible than PE. The trade-off is it's not as UV-resistant.Shield: Woven copper braided shield can be flexed more than aluminum foil shield. It's good to have both.Dielectric: Foamed PE flexes easier than solid PE but, compresses easier.Center conductor: Stranded is greatly preferred over solid. Most coaxes use a 7-strand conductor but, even better is 19-strands.
RG-213:Non contaminating PVC outer jacket95% woven plain copper shieldSolid polyethylene dielectric7-strand plain copper conductor
Davis RF BuryFlex (and DX Engineering DXE400MAX):Type III PE outer jacket95% tinned woven copper over aluminum foil shieldGas-injected (foamed) polyethylene dielectric19-strand plain copper conductor
RG-213 is very average. The advantage of RG-213 is that it meets Mil spec. IOW, the RG-213 you buy from one manufacturer will be the same as from another manufacturer.
I first bought 100' of BuryFlex for a wire antenna. However, when I set about to erect a tower and realized I'd need the better part of a 500' spool, I found DX Engineering's DXE400MAX appeared to be the same thing at much lower cost. In fact, if you buy over $99, (ground) shipping is included.
Rather than splice it to Times Microwave's LMR400 down the tower, I suggest just continuing w/ BuryFlex/DXE400MAX.
vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC
     
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2018 09:07:43 -0800
From: Terry Brown <n7tb at comcast.net>
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Rotor loop coax

I finally got approval to put up my tower and 10-15-20 meter beam.  Is RG 213 the best and most flexible coax to use from the radiator for the loop for tower rotation?  It will connect to LMR-400 down tower leg. 

Thanks!

Terry
N7TB