[TowerTalk] Coax Life Expectancy

[Steve Jones]

But Jeff, weren't you aware?...Chevy's are well- known to break down after prolonged UV exposure!  (just kidding!)  I don’t think this is about "liking", but rather about experience with different types of coax and the materials they're made of.  It could be a useful discussion for someone planning a new long outdoor run.  Obscuring the brands just avoids any liability on Art's part.  I'm sure he has learned a lot from our feedback!
73,
Steve
N6SJ



-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Jeff Blaine
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 9:31 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Coax Life Expectancy

What is the point of this brand X vs. brand Y discussion?

You are representing your own experience with these products.  So what's the point of this?  If you like a Chevy, just say you have better experience with a Chevy.  Saying "Auto Brand C" is of zero value.  In the same sense, reporting this sort of info with these obscuring brand modifiers makes the comment of zero utility to the hams reading this reflector.  As far as I know, expressing your opinion is still (for now) an expression of free speech and is not actionable.  But maybe I'm out of step in the modern world.  ha ha

73/jeff/ac0c
alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
www.ac0c.com


On 2/14/2023 2:49 PM, Art Greenberg wrote:
> I just had to take about 250 feet of "brand X" coax out of service 
> because the outer jacket is cracking. Three runs up my 50 foot 
> crank-up tower hanging from a support at the top, and three runs from 
> the top of the tower through the rotor loop and up to the antennas on 
> the mast. The cable had been in service for about 2-1/2 years here in 
> north-central Florida (near Gainesville).
>
> The cracking occurred in places where the cable moved (the rotor loop) 
> and where it did not (taped to the mast or boom). Where the coax was 
> protected from the sun in a length of split loom, it didn't crack.
>
> In some places the braid was easily visible behind the cracking. I did 
> observe water exit the cable when I applied pressure to the cable in a 
> horizontal run.
>
> I have both "brand X" and "brand Y" cable running in underground 
> conduit from my entrance panel to the base of the tower. Where the 
> cables exit the conduit and make the short run to the tower, I can see 
> the cracking in "brand X" but not in "brand Y". In fact, "brand Y"
> still looks new. I am putting off replacing the cables in the conduit. 
> It will need to be done eventually.
>
> I'm relatively new to this location, having moved from New Jersey 12 
> years ago. This is my first experience with coax failing in this 
> manner, and my first experience with "brand X." Is this to be expected 
> in my location? Is "brand X" exhibiting expected service life?
>
> Note that "brand X" claims to be suitable for outdoor use.
>
> TIA.
>
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