New Coax

[Doughboy]

I am wanting to change or upgrade my coax in the mobile from RG8X. But I am not sure! Which coax will give me the best performance. Should I use the stiff or the more flexible stuff. I am just not sure and would like to hear ideas from you guys. Thanks

73's Doughboy I'm gone now!!!!

[80 meter man]

LMR-400 Ultra flex. There's no better. Go with the flexible core the solid core is tough to get around corners and is prone to kinking. The LMR is expensive but for the extra cost you will be getting the best and you will always be happy with it. Remember quality is remembered long after cost is forgotten!!

[Duck Commander]

DITTO what 80 meterman said thats what i run on my base setup LMR400 good stuff no better IMO
but most definately get the superflex i have the solid core and man that stuff is like messin with a
frozen waterhose its stiff... im really dreadin my mobile install thats what im guna run in my mobile
and man its guna be a job gettin that stuff run rite and maynot can may have to get some superflex
for the mobile

[Doughboy]

OK my next question is where could I buy this at a reasonable price. The one place I was thinking about only has the 213 flexible stuff. And the price is verily cheap.

Thanks for the reply 80 meter man

73's Doughboy I'm gone now!!!

[mudduckkiller]

anyone ever try the 217? or is the lmr 400 better?

[rayray1963]

Do a Google search for LMR-400 UltraFlex and you will find a ton of dealers that sell it, then you can price compare.

[636]

just wanted to add my 2¢ in. I just put the solid core LMR-400 in my 05 Tacoma and it wasn't that bad. The wire is stiff but I was told that the wire is made to handle a 1" radius bend. I know it sounds hard to believe but it seems to be true. Check out this site and see for yourself ( [Please login or register to view this link] ) . By the way, I like the LMR-400, it preforms way better then the RG-8 I had before.

Aloha from Hawaii,

636

[80 meter man]

TIMES MICROWAVE(LMR) These guys know coax. They make the best coax in the world. Check out there LMR-1700!! This stuff is the same size as your arm!! I have heard of some rich hams using that stuff on high tower runs. Big bucks. 10 bucks a foot or more!!! Must be nice!! Times cable is used on some of the nicest microwave transmitters and cell sites in the world. You bet it will work aces with a CB set up.

[Crusher]

RG8X is rated for around 300watts RMS. If you want to go bigger, but are not going to use much more in the way of power besides a 4 pill or a driven 4 pill, it might be a good idea to look at LMR240. I run an 8 pill into it. It is rated at 1.49 KW RMS. It is about 80 cents per foot and for a 12-18 foot run it should be perfect and easy to work with as it is the same size as rg8x but has 2-3 Shields, better dielectric. If you are going to run a 12 pill or a 16 then by all means go with lmr400 or 600. rg217 is good too, but a bear to handle( I have seen 64 pills dumped into 217).

[Mentor3006]

RG8X is rated for around 300watts RMS. If you want to go bigger, but are not going to use much more in the way of power besides a 4 pill or a driven 4 pill, it might be a good idea to look at LMR240. I run an 8 pill into it. It is rated at 1.49 KW RMS. It is about 80 cents per foot and for a 12-18 foot run it should be perfect and easy to work with as it is the same size as rg8x but has 2-3 Shields, better dielectric. If you are going to run a 12 pill or a 16 then by all means go with lmr400 or 600. rg217 is good too, but a bear to handle( I have seen 64 pills dumped into 217).

I am not sure where you are getting your data from. I don't want to link non sponsors here, but if you Google RG8x power rating, you will find LOTS of data on the subject, and it appears that RG8x / Mini 8 is rated at approx 1KW of RF in the CB freq range.

[TowerRigger]

Times cable is used on some of the nicest microwave transmitters and cell sites in the world.

I'm not trying to step on your toes 80 meter, but I've done hundreds of cellular, microwave, and broadcast installs. I've never heard of this brand of cable. The two best IMHO are Andrews because it's flexible (that can also be it's drawback kinks easy) or Comscope you can run over it with a truck and it will still sweep good, but it is a bear to bend. The coax I'm currently using on our Broadcast project is Eupen, a Belgian made coax. I am sure though that you know what you're talking about in the realm of CB. I know the big stuff. I want to learn about the little stuff.

[TowerRigger]

LMR400 uses N connectors that's very cool. I think I might have run into this stuff a little in a few very small microwave setups. I've mostly had experience with elliptical and air dielectric lines running to 4 meter and bigger dishes. I know I hijack threads too much, but I'm just so bored in these dang hotels.

[80 meter man]

TowerRigger--- Andrews is Times Microwave's biggest competitor. Take a look at the Times Microwave web site and you will see what I'm talking about. They make every kind of coax from LMR-240 which is like RG-58 all the way up to LMR 1900 That stuff is the size of your arm. These guys at TM are the best in the world even better than Andrews IMHO. Even the Cable Experts guys sell both brands now. A times microwave PL-259 for there 600 size coax costs 30 bucks. I have several of them and the quality is amazing!! They even have short video clips on there web site showing how to install there connectors on there coax. If you go to there web page I'm sure you will recognize there products. I have bought a lot of there stuff surplus from microwave contractors so I know it is out there in the microwave and cell world. Take a look and get back to me. I think you will be impressed with the info om there site.

[TowerRigger]

Oh I forgot to tell you in my pms. If you want to know what the industry is using, doing, hiring, breaking news anything tower go to [Please login or register to view this link]

[209 first class]

if your doing a mobil rig, since its a short run, id do the lmr 400. then, in a year if you find youself wanting a bigger box ect, you wont wonder about the coax. i bought 155 feet of the lmr 400 a month ago,(the flexable stuff, more $,i shoulda just bought the stiffer stuff) enough dough to buy a new radio, but my feeling secure about having the best and pride of ownership factor, was well worth the money. 209

[626s]

How come nobody mentioned, Heliax?

[BtyMONSTER]

ill add to the confusion and suggest davis bury-flex .

[J-570]

Hate to be the LMR killer here, but for much less you can run 213 and you or the other station will not tell a difference. The 213 is much cheaper and is alot easier to run in a mobile, oh and did I mention the cost savings....

By the way I highly doubt you will ever run enough power to fully utilize the 213 much less the LMR-400.... Save your self some money and a few headaches.

[busman]

i upgraded all my 3 foot jumpers from rg8x to 213. its nice stuff and its flexable. im useing rg8u right now from the base antenna but plan on going to the 213 when i get around to it.the biggest rig i got running in the base is a connex 4300-300. i got a eastcoast straight 4 pill comming for my uniden grant xl. im sure the 213 is suficient for this.

[Gearhead815]

LMR is excellent coax, but hardly the best. Even andrew LDF series heliax is becoming obsolete (actually I believe they're discontinuing it) I have a lot of heliax, and use it on my base setup, but it's a lot harder to work with, and almost impossible to find UHF (PL-259) connectors for, because they quit making them. The only reason I used andrew heliax, was because I got it free. For someone wanting to buy good coax, LMR-240, 400, 600, etc. is the most economical "bang for the buck" way to go. It's a heck of a lot easier to work with and get connectors for, especially in a mobil install.