Hi all

Apologies if covered before but just wondered if anyone uses this type of coax instead of RG213?

I plan to install a Diamond CP6 (if it ever stops raining) at about 8 feet off the ground and need a run of around 30-35m of coax some of which will go under a gravel bed then up and over an extension roof and into the loft before running down the inside of an upstairs room.

Appreciate that standard RG8 is not great for this length of run but the 7mm stuff seems as though it is ok and would certianly be more flexible around this installation!

Any views welcomed!

Thanks

Ian G1HQK
North Suffolk Coast

Hi,

Been using it for a couple of years now. It certainly is equivelant to RG213 but is much easier to handle. Make sure you have the correct sized coonnectors. It is not a success to try and use RG213 with packing tape. I believe they are available from Diode comms. I got a batch from Rapid electronics but they no longer stock them.
Very handy when putting up temporary antennae for RAYNET events as well.

Thanks it is always nice to hear from people who actual use the item you are interested in!

I have a few 7mm PL259 plugs which are suitable for this type of diameter cable, I see that it is also considerably cheaper than RG213, (if you want a giggle look at the price of RG213 on Maplins site, it took my breath away when I was searching for a 100m roll of the stuff, I wont spoil the surprise!)

I can buy a roll of RG8 mini for around £40, the cheapest I have seen RG213 is around £85 so savings to be made, just a bit wary as never used it before.

Ian

Hi Ian

if you can run to the cost around a pound a metre i think you could do a lot worse than to get yourself some Arcell 7 from Lamco you can Google them or get their phone number from Radcom. It is extremly flexable thin and is very low loss although at around 110 ft max loss should not be a problem at HF i have being using it myself for around 3 years with absolutley no problems also if you ever upgrade from the CP6 and want to run more power than the 200watts that the CP6 is rated for then the Arcell would be an excellent choice.

Hope that this is of some use to you Ian ,enjoy your new antenna when you get it up.

Dave g0wxz RSARS 3427

Thanks Dave, cost is not an issue it is really just the need to have a flexible cable, I will have a look at the stuff you recommend also, is this 7mm too?

Ian

i use the quality grey rg8 mini, there is a cheap chinky make version about £40 a roll, but not as good. you do need the 'good' 7mm plugs, i tried some naff indian made ones that were total junk. the dealer no longer stocks them as he had too many returns.
use a reputable dealer not fleebay.

Lam do Times Microwave LMR Coax, Its Diode Comms that do Aircell and Ecoflex. There is a Aircell5 that is a 5mm coax with low loss which might be worth looking at.


For normal day to day coax and plugs like RG213 and RG8 Westlake is the best place to get it from.



Trevor
EI2GLB

Hi again Ian

yes aircell7 is 7mm and if you ask Lamco nicely they will put the coax plugs on for you before they send it to you.

Cheers and beers Dave g0wxz

I can vouch for Aircell7 too - it's top notch.

Diode Communications & Lamco both stock it I believe.

Diameter (overall)..7.3mm

Impedance 50R

Centre Conductor 19x0.37 Stranded Copper

Dielectric PE Compound

Double shielded -100% Copper Foil with PE Plastic Backing/72% Copper Wire Braiding

uPVC TYPE 5 Outer Sheath

Velocity Factor 0.85

Capacitance per meter 74pF

Min Bend Radius 25mm

Nominal Operating Temperature -30/+80C