HFU HF Underground
General Category => General Radio Discussion => Topic started by: fpeconsultant on September 29, 2014, 1501 UTC
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Hello all - I have to run a new feed line from the shack to my Wellsbrook loop antenna - the run is in the 125'-150' range. Any suggestions on what type of cable is best (rg 8u?) - most of what I listen to is 3mhz-30mhz. I would terminate with a PL259 and a BNC male to connect to the Wellsbrook.
No scanner use, no MW use.
Thanks in advance
FPE
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Some time ago I switched to RG-6 cable (standard TV cable) with F connectors moulded on each end for all my antennas. It's nice to not have to mess with trying to solder PL-259s, I just use adapters on each end as necessary. Yes, it is 75 ohms not 50 ohms, but for receive only applications that's not a major factor. The loss is low, and it's cheap and readily available. Oh, and did I mention not having to solder PL-259s on each end? :-)
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I've always been happy with RG-8, but then again, I've never done a run over 100 feet.
One thing to think about is if you want something that can stand being buried or being left out in the sun. Universal has this: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/5297.html, and I'm sure there are other such brands that are similar. It seems pretty expensive, though.
Hello all - I have to run a new feed line from the shack to my Wellsbrook loop antenna - the run is in the 125'-150' range. Any suggestions on what type of cable is best (rg 8u?) - most of what I listen to is 3mhz-30mhz. I would terminate with a PL259 and a BNC male to connect to the Wellsbrook.
No scanner use, no MW use.
Thanks in advance
FPE
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Chris - thx - Fansome (or anyone): is there a big difference between RG8U and RG8X performance wise for receive only at this length or is it negligible ?
Thanks!!
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Hey fpe;
I have a Wellbrook, and have used a couple of different feedlines. I originally had an old (unburied) RG58 line running to the Antenna Garden, and had that terminated in BNC fittings at both ends. It worked well with the Wellbrook, and that line is still there although I rarely use it.
I have also used the Wellbrook with unburied DIY store quad shield RG6, connector spliced from 100 and 50 foot lengths; this also worked well, but the splicing connection needs to be checked a couple of times a year because the Wellbrook also has DC on the line. Bad connections translates into noise.
I currently have the Wellbrook mapped to a continuous unspliced run of burial rated dual shield F6 I got from DX Engineering. I think they used to sell this by the foot, but now it appears that it is only offered in 500 foot putups. This is buried about 6-8 inches below grade. I terminated each end with Snap N Seal environmentally sealed type F connectors (you need a stripping tool and connector crimper). I use type F to BNC adapters at each end, the outside connectors are protected by a layer of heat shrink tubing.
My bottom line: I have not noted any difference between the 50 and 75 ohm cables. In the 75 ohm cables, I have not noted any difference between the dual and quad shield cables. The most important thing seems to be doing it in a single unspliced run if possible, and getting the best environmental seal on the BNC connector at the Wellbrook amplifier output.