Rg8x or your prefered Coax

[trx680]

Looking around I see one website claims that Rg8x Coax is the better of the CB coax cables.
Also see the LRM400 cable. Its beefy but read where it doesnt bend well.

If you are going to do it right the first time ....What do you guys think?
What do you use?

[jessejamesdallas]

Mobile set-up or base? RG mini-8 is fine for most install's...LMR 400 is stiff, but also comes in flex, which has a stran center conductor wire instead of a solid core wire...RG 213 is the same size as LMR 400, and IMO just as good, plus it's cheaper...LMR240 is about the same size as rg 8x, but double shielded like the LMR 400 stuff, and easier to work with in a mobile install.

[trx680]

Mobile set-up or base? RG mini-8 is fine for most install's...LMR 400 is stiff, but also comes in flex, which has a stran center conductor wire instead of a solid core wire...RG 213 is the same size as LMR 400, and IMO just as good, plus it's cheaper...LMR240 is about the same size as rg 8x, but double shielded like the LMR 400 stuff, and easier to work with in a mobile install.

base

[jessejamesdallas]

LMR 400 or rg213 would be my choices for base...I been using 213for years on my MaCo Shooting Star beam and never had a problem. ..213 handles all the power I use just fine.

[MDYoungblood]

In a base setup I use the "RG8 size", LMR is great and like JJD says, it comes with a solid core (not to flexible) which is fine for most omni antenna installs or a "Flex" stranded core version for beam installs where the coax has to twist when rotating the antenna.
There is also the length to consider, runs under 20ft, RG58 is fine (use quality stuff here), runs under 50ft, RG8X (use quality stuff here too). Runs to 100ft I like the "RG8 size" like RG213, 214, 9913, etc., these have at least a 95% shielding and handle a decent amount of wattage. Runs of more than 100ft I wouldn't use anything else but an LMR or equivalent, these have 95% braided shield and a foil wrap shield, less lossy. There is even larger coax for even longer runs, they require special connectors.

3's

Greg

[De_Wildfire]

I use LMR 400 but the flex. I found out the hard way that you can't turn corners with regular LMR and will bend causing major problems and extra work. You can order from Shrieen Co but it's very similar but with their numbers. The best way to go is buy a huge roll and split it with your fellow radio operators and the price per foot comes down. If you are in a radio club or go to breakfasts or eyeballs, I am sure someone will go in with you and cut the price back.

[MDYoungblood]

Even with "Flex", (talking the large coax) tight bends can be a problem. Figure solid core coax has a minimum of 3ft turning radius where "Flex you can get away with slightly less than 2ft, be careful on lesser turns as the center conductor will collapse/crowd and touch the shield.
Shrieen Co even though there is nothing wrong with it and is an excellent price , is a Chinese manufacturer, I like looking for coax made in the USA, just my preference. Times Microwave, Belden, and Andrews (now known as COMMSCOPE) are 3 but you have to watch, some types are made overseas or south of the border. Another is ABR, they took over a few of the old Belden plants in the states and all their wire products are made here.

3's

Greg

[Lost Ram]

I like the LMR 400 for my base and the LMR 400 Flex for jumpers. I find the JefaTech LMR 400 to be a good cost and its light due to its copper plated center core. Some folks don't like that and prefer the solid copper center core, I have some up thats been there since 2004 and it still works like new. Either way you will be hard pressed to measure any notable differences in any of THE LMR 400 HARD TYPE for HF work. Pick the features and benefits that work for you, figure length, weight if more then 75', and price. Also as MDY stated if under 50" the 8X will work just fine too and, it's easier to work with as well.

[nk14zp]

I still have some 8x I put up in the 90s. It's fine for 27mhz. It might not be the "best" but most of us would never notice on the cb band. Long runs of vhf is another story.

[MDYoungblood]

Jefa is nice, warehouse is about an hour and a half drive from my house. Went down to check them out and see what kind of deal I could get. They have great equipment for making connections/connectors and loads of inventory. Left with a bunch of samples I’m still using today. For some reason I just can’t shake that Chinese thing and I have an ABR distributor a half hour away.

3’s

Greg

[Lost Ram]

I understand the China deal. I am sure Jefa is China but so far after almost 2 decades I dont have any complaints.

[gunner121]

I think the most important factor is going to be the length of the run. If it's a short run your doing, you can use rg8x with absolutely no problem and there would be no noticable difference going with an lmr cable. Problem is seems like whenever someone uses rg8x they use a junk brand and then it gets a bad wrap.

[kingcroc]

I have recently set up a CB base station after being off radio for many years. Looking around there is a wide variety of coaxial cables available. I wanted something that was flexible yet able to handle increased wattage (if i decided to go for a ham license in the future). I went for some good quality RG-8X from the states and was very happy with the results. I decided on the I-max2000 antenna which had a really great SWR out of the box. Although I use standard QRP low power (12-15 Watt PEP) on my CB station I did perform a quick test at much higher power, one kilowatt PEP to gauge the cables power handling capability and it stayed cool and stable. So although I am not a coax expert I would recommend this cable for short to medium length runs as I found it to work really well on my my newly set up CB base station.

[sonoma]

as long as the run is less than 50m feet I use the RG8X myself and have not had a problem with it so far. I make sure it is the 95% shielded. I have seen some that was only 80% shielded in the past. I believe a good RG8X works good enough for CB radios even with some power.