Leaderboard

at 50' 400 would be good 100' 1/2 super or hard line in excess of 150' 7/8 after that you get into the really big stuff 1-5/8, 2-1/4 and waveguide.

If you want the better coax, hard-line, its going to cost you. The site below does sell 1/2" and 7/8" hard-line. It seems they are able to install the connectors too. I'm sure there are other places you can get the cable, likely at around the same cost. http://www.davisrf.com/heliax.php

just a note to the 400 cable vs LDF these are completely different types of cable to deal w// 400 is a nice flexible fairly user friendly cable. LDF4 on the other hand for a novice is not going to end well. it is fairly rigid bend it too much and its done, have seen that 100x over. putting on the connectors is pretty strait forward depending on what you buy. you will need to have some practice to get a feel for it. wouldn't even bother w/LDF5 that is a 7/8 cable that requires specialized tool to put connectors on. as to your height, 2 story cape style house in the end should give you 30' of height to tip, roughly. look at this as I have finally added new pics https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/252-cable-types-and-losses/

Attenuation of LDF4-50a is about 1.4db at 467 MHz. LMR-400 is about 2.7db.

If you can afford it, use the LDF4-50A. Perhaps even LDF5-50A if your run is longer than 100 feet. At 460MHz at 100 feet, RG-8x has a loss of 9.4 dB. LMR 400 has a loss of 2.7 dB. LDF4 has a loss of 1.4 dB. LDF5 has a loss of 0.82 dB. If you are using LDF Heliax, it is just fine to use a short jumper at the end for flexibility going into your radio. Also, keep in mind your cost vs. return on investment ratio. How far do you really need to talk? Personally, I use LDF4-50A, but I'm only running about 80 feet.

V1 and V2 firmware ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. This is because of minor hardware differences inside of the radio as well as some features the V2 radio has that the V1 radio doesn't. Overall these features aren't really used in GMRS and are more towards commercial radio For example enhanced fleetsync functionality and the available use of some MDT hardware. I have several TK880's both V1 and V2. V1 radios I used to build a small portable repeater that I can set up anywhere, even in a campground. The V2 radios are installed in our vehicles and while we use fleetsync for radio ID and text messaging on my local repeater, there isnt much use for it when I go onto another system. This is because the Fleetsync codes we use may be different to other users. Anyways, If the offer is right, $20-30 for just a radio, or maybe $50 for radio and mic in fair condition, go for it, Anything more and you could likely do better on Ebay.