Coax Cable for HF Portable Operation - Ham Radio Q&A

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Thanks for This. I'm just now looking into putting up a uhf antenna at my house. This is good info for sure. Thank you!

[@kinggreene]

I use rg142 the Teflon stuff. Very tough but I did have to make my own adapters for the pl259

[@KurtClark]

This helps me a bunch for setting up my first HF antenna at home. Common sense info. Thanks so much.

[@crispycritterz]

Good video. I'd recommend end caps for your connectors though.

[@kendexter]

I could hear the movie fan blowing snow sideways

[@leemullins495]

For portable operations where you are outside and not behind a barrier, what length coax would you consider a safe distance to sit from your antenna during use?

[@nazmi3126]

Great info! Thanks for this. Question - What do you recommend for vhf/uhf portable (i.e. the tape measure yagi antenna)? I have a big spool of RG-6. Would that work for it? 73 de W3NSH

[@andrewn0ajs9]

Have you guys considered RG-316 for portable ops? From the limited info I found on the internet, the losses are minimal if you keep the run fairly short. I keep a 3 foot section as an adapter to run my HT through my UHF/VHF car antenna. I also use a 25 ft section with BNC connectors for portable HF. I run QRP when operating HF portable so I’m not sure how it will react with QRO. Its fairly cheap per foot and its super manageable to use in the field.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The antenna mount in my car uses RG-316. Super lightweight and flexible, although a bit lossy in longer lengths. I imagine that this cable would make a great component in a super lightweight backpacking kit.

[@andrewn0ajs9]

From what i can gather, if you keep the run short.....it’s perfect for portable. Its super flexible, small and doesn’t get stiff when its cold. I used it for winter field day 2019 and didn’t have the issues you guys brought up with the cable getting cold.

[@nemanume]

What cable should I use as a feed line for a 5 w handheld radio ?

[@shirleyshults8128]

you are exactly right for HF you don't need no low loss cable but the higher the frequency the more laws VHF/ UHF LMR-400

[@dixiedog1179]

My RG8 is stiffer that rebar.....

[@RobMacKendrick]

Add a letter though (RG8u, RG8x), and things get skinny and limp.

[@j.cabarga5971]

Looks like you're confusing the issues - cold weather operations (YOUR comfort/convenience/lazyness(?)), has NOTHING to do with the transmission characteristic of the cable and connectors - please reexamine your opininons, NEWBIES will be confused/misguided without even realizing YOUR confusion. Sorry to be critical, but I have to call 'emm as I sees 'em - RG8 is known to be less than ideal, BTW

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

RG-8X is more than adequate for HF operation, and is an excellent choice for portable operation. I'm not seeing the confusion, so maybe you need to elaborate your point a bit.