On Sun, 3 Sep 2006 10:32:41 -0500, "Bob D."
wrote:

I'm about to put up a V2000 6m/2m/70cm antenna. I've used 9913 in the past
for 2m, but it's awfully stiff and expensive. I'm thinking of going with RG8
or a variant of RG8. Are they all the same? I want to minimize loss of
course. Recommendations?

BTW, what does the RG number signify anyway? The size? The construction?

Cables advertised as RG8 should have similar characteristics, though
the market contains sub standard products, and variants (eg foam
dielectric).

RG8 (or more commonly used RG213 which is similar in characteristics)
is quite lossy at 70cm, and you might not find its loss acceptable,
depending on the length of your run and your own requirements.

For example, the loss on 30m of Belden 8267 (RG213) at 440MHz with a
load end VSWR of 1.2 is 4.8dB, about two thirds of your transmitter
power is lost in the cable. 9913 is a little better at 2.7dB, LDF4-50A
at 1.4dB. Try your own scenario at http://www.vk1od.net/tl/tllc.php .

If you think RG8 is stiff and expensive, you don't seem to have much
experience of UHF. If you are more familiar with RG58C/U, it has a
loss in the above scenario of 12dB, 6% efficiency, but it works for
some.

Re what is RG anyway? Google for info on the RG scheme, try searhing
for "Radio Guide".

Owen
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