| Author |
Message |
    
Rollerdewd
New member
Username: Rollerdewd
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 - 8:26 pm: | 
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This is the first time I'm setting up a base station. I'm going to be using a Uniden Washington and a Solarcon A99 base antenna. By measuring, the distance from my antenna to the radio is right about 45 feet.
My questions are: 1. What would be the recommended length on my coax? 2. Is it possible to use CA-400 or would it better to use RG 213? 3. Is it recommended to keep a swr meter hooked up to the radio? If so, what would be the recommended jumper length of coax? |
Milkman21218
Advanced Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 638
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - 3:04 am: |
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I would purchase 50 feet. So that I could move the radio. But if you don't need to move it just get what you need. Also get you antenna as high as you can. Higher is better. So you may need longer coax. 40-50 or more high would be great if you can do it. That would allow you to talk farther away. Go luck with your station.
Izzy
CEF#502
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1842
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - 2:59 pm: |
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As you mentioned an SWR Meter at the radio, I'd go with multiples of 11.88ft. Why?? This is the length that mirrors the accurate antenna SWR back to the shack.
There is an article in Subscriptions that gores into Myths and Facts of coax, and it goes into detail why this is the right length to work with. Nothing magical, it doesn't tune the antenna or anything like that, it just allows you to see the exact same SWR reading, in the shack, that you would get if measured right at the base of the antenna. Wrong lengths of coax can make the two widely different.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Wire_saber
Junior Member
Username: Wire_saber
Post Number: 29
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 12:07 am: |
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CA-400 is less flexible than RG-213 and, for a 45' length, any improvement in HF would be barely negligible. I admit to have had a discernible improvement (in output and noise reduction) when changing 150' of 5-year old RG-213 to CA-400. If cost is not a hurdle and coax flexibility is not an issue, then, using the CA-400 will assure you of having installed the more reputable product of the two (pride of ownership counts too).
Meters: most will add some insertion loss, but I've never had EMI/RFI or other problems for keeping mine in-line. Its like having a 'second opinion' from the radio's built-in meter, plus, I find it a side-dish of joy to glance at needles dancing to peak power, modulation & SWR during TX (no shame: I'm easily entertained). I also hope to promptly detect any degradation in my signal thru routine monitoring of the meter. Good luck and tons of fun in building your station! |
Rollerdewd
New member
Username: Rollerdewd
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2015
| | Posted on Friday, October 30, 2015 - 11:45 am: |
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Thank you to everyone with your feedback. So if I was to go by tech237, I would probably go 50ft coax from antenna to swr meter and 12 ft from swr meter to the radio? |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2246
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2015 - 8:07 pm: |
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imo .. just get the shortest lenth you need. ya need to know how high ya gonna put antenna first. then ya can get coax. if 50 feet is enough then id call it good then. as for jumpers i use 3 feet just cause they reach from point a topoint b.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1843
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2015 - 10:02 am: |
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Nope short patch cable to SWR Meter which counts as part of the multiples of the 11.88ft.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Rollerdewd
New member
Username: Rollerdewd
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2015
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2015 - 4:28 pm: |
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Thanks everyone for your help! Got everything setup and grounded. As far as swr I'm sitting right on 2.0 on channel 1, 1.9 on channel 20 and 1.8 on channel 40. I should be good with this. Thanks again! |
