Coax

[WillyJ]

I am trying to get a base setup and I had a question. I only need about 30 ft of coax, but every one I tell that to says I need to just get 50 ft and be done. Why do I need to get 50 ft when I only need 30 ft? Is it going to make a difference in anything if I go with the shorter length?

[samskip]

If you feel comfortable chopping a 50 foot length down to 30ft and can put on the pl-259 end, then go for it. Some antenna configs need to have the 'coax' tuned, not sure if this is true in your case. I had an antenna about 5 years ago, it was a vertical, where I needed 35 feet of coax, but it matched up best with 60 feet of coax, just took the extra and coiled it in the attic.

The losses between 30 and 50ft are minimal, your not going to be able to tell much difference, Losses really need to be addressed when talking about over 50 feet. But general rule of thumb if you don't need to match your antenna with length, shortest is the best...

[231]

I am trying to get a base setup and I had a question. I only need about 30 ft of coax, but every one I tell that to says I need to just get 50 ft and be done. Why do I need to get 50 ft when I only need 30 ft? Is it going to make a difference in anything if I go with the shorter length?

Maybe they (whoever "everyone" is) expect you'll want to put it higher? 30' seems to me short as well, unless you have the antenna right outside your window and will only really be about 20' high.

But as always I say get what you want.

[WillyJ]

I am going to run a Antorn 99 mounted on a 10ft tall 4x4. So from ground to the top of the antenna is going to be somewhere around 26 ft high given that 2 foot of the post is going to be in the ground. And yes it is going to be located relatively close to the house. my station is setup on a desk right next to a window.

[231]

I am going to run a Antorn 99 mounted on a 10ft tall 4x4. So from ground to the top of the antenna is going to be somewhere around 26 ft high given that 2 foot of the post is going to be in the ground. And yes it is going to be located relatively close to the house. my station is setup on a desk right next to a window.

Well, I hope you don't have any neighbors...because at only 10' you can count on some splatter. But what the heck...you'll be on the air for now. You can always buy more coax.

Enjoy

[BtyMONSTER]

always use the best coax you can afford . it not only keeps your signal in it till it reaches the antenna but it also helps keep rf and static from entering through the static . davis bury-flex , lmr-400 and belden 9913f are very good quality for 10/11 meter use . go ahead and get 50 now so when you do your permanent mount you'll have plenty and can use the extra (if you cut to fit) for making jumpers . would really suck to buy 30 ft now and do your install and discover you need 2 or 3 more feet . also give that radio and antenna a proper ground .

[psycho]

I am going to run a Antorn 99 mounted on a 10ft tall 4x4. So from ground to the top of the antenna is going to be somewhere around 26 ft high given that 2 foot of the post is going to be in the ground. And yes it is going to be located relatively close to the house. my station is setup on a desk right next to a window.

If all you want to go is 30 ft then buy some 95% shield Mini 8 and leave it at that. Absolutely no sense in LMR-400 if that is all you want.