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View Full Version : Andrews FSJ4-50B vs Beldon 8814



K8PG
04-22-2010, 10:13 PM
Hello Oprs,

Iam wondering what the difference would be if I went over to
the andrews 1/2 hardline-190 ft run,looks like 1 db less loss
in the cable,will that increase my receiver and antenna gain over
all by 1 db, with the 8214 I have nearly 2.7db of cable losses-If
Iam running 800 watts at the xmtr and at the antenna I got
what 230watts into the feedpoint? quite a loss I think with the
8214 > :doh: So upgrading to the Andrews cable should cut my
losses to nearly .2 db total at 190- ft am I lost or what?thanks :cheers:

Paul de K8PG

N4VGB
04-22-2010, 11:34 PM
am I lost or what?



I should be merciful and helpful, but even after taking a walk from the keyboard, I just can't find it in me.

Sorry newb, you found one of my exposed nerves.

KJ3N
04-23-2010, 07:29 AM
am I lost or what?



I should be merciful and helpful, but even after taking a walk from the keyboard, I just can't find it in me.

Sorry newb, you found one of my exposed nerves.
Staggers the imagination, doesn't it?

WØTKX
04-23-2010, 07:53 AM
Aww 'cmon. This is The Island, mon. :roll:


Relevance... http://www.hamuniverse.com/coaxdata.html


A difference of 3 db or less between two antennas, two types of coax, or two station configurations is usually not sufficient to justify the higher costs of the more expensive, lower loss, coaxial cable unless you are a perfectionist with lots of money.

However, a difference of 6 db may well justify the more expensive approach with the higher quality coax or antenna setup. Remember, if you can't increase your transmit or receive signal by at least 5 or 6 db or more, if may not be worth the effort and expense.

KC2UGV
04-23-2010, 08:00 AM
Hello Oprs,

Iam wondering what the difference would be if I went over to
the andrews 1/2 hardline-190 ft run,looks like 1 db less loss
in the cable,will that increase my receiver and antenna gain over
all by 1 db, with the 8214 I have nearly 2.7db of cable losses-If
Iam running 800 watts at the xmtr and at the antenna I got
what 230watts into the feedpoint? quite a loss I think with the
8214 > :doh: So upgrading to the Andrews cable should cut my
losses to nearly .2 db total at 190- ft am I lost or what?thanks :cheers:

Paul de K8PG

Put up a better antenna. You'll get a bigger bang for the buck than trying to trim a single decibel of loss.

2.7 dB pf cable loss does not equate to a loss in heat of 500 watts (How hot is your cable lol).

PA5COR
04-23-2010, 09:02 AM
If you put 800 watts in the 8214 coax and have 230 watts left at the other end, you have more as 3 dB loss.
You almost come to 6 dB loss here in that situation.
Personally i only use low loss cable, putting up an expensive antenna, or building one, and then lose lots of signal recieve/transmit is a nono in my book.

And yes, coax losses work both ways...

http://www.timesmicrowave.com/cgi-bin/calculate.pl

And yes, i can detect 3 dB signal difference... ;)
Having 800 watts and wasting nearly 600 watts in the coax might keep the coax dry, but is a serious waste of power.
I'm running 1 kW into 1/2 inch low loss coax, and have less as .3 dB loss in the 60 foot run.
( 30 MHz)
Your station is as good as the weakest link.
Just my 2 € cents.

;)

Hello Oprs,

Iam wondering what the difference would be if I went over to
the andrews 1/2 hardline-190 ft run,looks like 1 db less loss
in the cable,will that increase my receiver and antenna gain over
all by 1 db, with the 8214 I have nearly 2.7db of cable losses-If
Iam running 800 watts at the xmtr and at the antenna I got
what 230watts into the feedpoint? quite a loss I think with the
8214 > :doh: So upgrading to the Andrews cable should cut my
losses to nearly .2 db total at 190- ft am I lost or what?thanks :cheers:

Paul de K8PG