Coax Cable

[KG PackRat]

How much of a difference does a great cable make over an OK cable. What's the difference?

[SOUTHPAW]

same as a window mount antenna and any good antenna.

If you are going to buy something for this hobby go ahead and get what is better because eventually you are going to buy it anyhow.

Why buy 8x when you can get rg213 for a little more.
a 10k cost a little more (or about the same) as a wilson 5000.

[KG PackRat]

That's pretty much what I figured. I just didn't wanna go out and spend a ton of money that really wasn't making any difference. But if it matters then that's definitely what I'm gonna do. Thanks.

[nighttrain]

Call Mike at Radioactive Radios and get you some of that Cxperts stuff.

[KG PackRat]

What does it run? $$$

[dud muck]

How much of a difference does a great cable make over an OK cable. What's the difference?

At a base station, often the cable runs are long, so using a better coax there makes a difference.

However, mobile use, the cable runs are usually under 18 feet or so. For that, running better coax is only mandatory if you're running more than 1000 watts that would toast the cheaper coax.

A side note: coax loss increases with frequency. at 27MHz the losses are less than you would have UHF.

[KG PackRat]

I don't plan on using that much power. I'll probably keep it under 350W.

[midnitebandit87]

smaller vs. bigger coax is like night and day. you will see more power and lower swr by running the higher stuff. and also make sure you have a good antenna to run with it. like a wilson 5000, 10k, or steel whip.

[KG PackRat]

OK. The antenna wont be a problem once i get my Wilson 5K. I've been trying to call the guys @ the local CB Shop, but i haven't been able to get an answer.

[midnitebandit87]

call Al at Sparkyscbshack.com. he will hook you up.

[KG PackRat]

I've seen Sparky's site. I'll probably order off of there.

[SOUTHPAW]

I don't plan on using that much power. I'll probably keep it under 350W.

I have said and heard this before. Mo powa bug will bite then you will want at least a 4 pill then you will want a 8 pill and so on and so on. RG 213 will handle all of those.

[DX47]

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[KG PackRat]

I don't plan on using that much power. I'll probably keep it under 350W.

I have said and heard this before. Mo powa bug will bite then you will want at least a 4 pill then you will want a 8 pill and so on and so on. RG 213 will handle all of those.

Yeah, you're probaly right. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[dilligaf]

Heres a quick question,
How can you solder the small elbow type coax plug onto rg213???????????
is it possible....

[KG PackRat]

your best bet is to get an elbow adapter for a standard end.

[dilligaf]

will the elbow affect any performance or cause any power loss

[KG PackRat]

I'm not sure. I've used elbow ends for Camera jobs @ work (BNC ends) and they were just fine. Everything has an affect on something in radio it seems, though.

[dilligaf]

ok i will try one,cheers

[KW KID]

Use the rg8x the wilson 5000 comes with and don't waste your time with anything else. If your using 350watts like you say, your power is well below the limits of the cable, and as far as DB loss is concerned, basically the sh**iest cable there is out there like rg 58 still has very little loss with such a short run (<20 feet) and using 27MHZ. Rg213 is pretty huge and in a mobile, and may be hard to wire cleanly. If you want "the best", then of course there is better stuff out there (lmr400, lmr600 etc.), but completely a waste of time and money for CB band stuff. It's kind of like the mentality of running 93 octane on your 8:1 engine. There is no difference, even though its "better".

Look at the chart for db loss comparisons and you will see, 27MHZ is so forgiving when it comes to cable.

By the way, I got about 1kw going into my wilson 5000 mag mount and works great.

[BtyMONSTER]

great link DX47 :D . i like the foil shield on 9913f and lmr400uf . the foil can help a lot with eliminating/reducing vehicle noise and on base can help eliminate or reduce interference both to and from tvs',computers'.microwaves' etc.etc. . on the 400uf that nice large stranded center conductor gives more surface area for the signal to travel on contributing to the high velocity factor .

[triple7wva]

Use the rg8x the wilson 5000 comes with and don't waste your time with anything else. If your using 350watts like you say, your power is well below the limits of the cable, and as far as DB loss is concerned, basically the sh**iest cable there is out there like rg 58 still has very little loss with such a short run (<20 feet) and using 27MHZ. Rg213 is pretty huge and in a mobile, and may be hard to wire cleanly. If you want "the best", then of course there is better stuff out there (lmr400, lmr600 etc.), but completely a waste of time and money for CB band stuff. It's kind of like the mentality of running 93 octane on your 8:1 engine. There is no difference, even though its "better".

Look at the chart for db loss comparisons and you will see, 27MHZ is so forgiving when it comes to cable.

By the way, I got about 1kw going into my wilson 5000 mag mount and works great.

try that with the setup i was running in the mobile and you will find your coax fried and your wilson in a sorry state as well. i run 9913 in the mobile. my next mobile will be even mo' watts and will be using hardline. do your self a favor and start with good stuff so you dont have to upgrade ina few months jas.

[mopar2ya]

dud muck and KW KID gave very informative reasonable responses to your questions. I would re-read their posts, and follow their advice.

Mopar

wan•na•boo (wah-nah-boo) Informal n. Derived of wan-na-bee 1. One who aspires to be a
Peakaboo. 2. One who imitates the behavior, customs, or dress of a Peakaboo. 3. A product
designed to imitate the qualities or characteristics of something built by a Peakaboo.
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