I have a 50’ length of LMR400 cable that has sustained some insulation damage. (If you don’t mind, I won’t go into how it became damaged – will save that for a later post). I’m wondering if it is performing as well as it needs to be for GMRS use? Maybe there are people on this forum with some experience in using a damaged cable that can chime in. Here’s some needed information before you can answer:
Description of cable:
As I said, the cable is 50 feet long. It is 50 ohms, LMR400 equivalent (labeled Bolton400), heavy-duty, low-loss coaxial. It has N-type male connectors on each end. I use N-Type to UHF converters to connect to my radio and antenna. Approximate price: $60.
Description of damage:
The outside insulation damage appears to be about 1 inch long by about ¼ inch wide (does not go all the way around the cable). The braiding layer appears to be scratched, but completely in tact (not torn through to the next insulation layer).
Here are four possible solutions:
Possible solutions:
Solution 1: Do nothing. The cable works now (although performance is in question). Price: $0.
Solution 2: Abandon the cable, bite my lip and purchase a new cable. Price: $50-$60.
Solution 3: Cut off the bad section of the cable (about 10’ from one end) and the other connector as well, and mount two new PL-259 (UHF male) connectors on both ends leaving 40’ of pristine cable, which is still about 10' more than I need. Replacing the N-Type connectors allows the elimination of the two existing converters at either end. Price: $20 (per quote received from a local cable company that specializes in radio cables).
Solution 4: Same as above, but leave good side N-Type connector and mount new N-Type connector on cut-off end. Price: Uncertain (but should be less that solution 3 above).
Additional Information:
Solution 2 involves ordering, substantial cost, waiting for shipment, and then installing new cable. Time consuming, but doable. Solutions 3 and 4 involve removal of the old cable, driving about 25+ miles (each way) to cable shop, and re-installation. A fair amount of time/work.
Right now, the cable seems to be working, which leans me towards solution 1. But I’m basing this on my own (imperfect) perception of Tx and Rx performance. I don’t have any meters or test equipment other than a standard VOM. On the other hand, if the cable is in fact NOT performing as well as it would before being damaged, should I pursue one of the solutions 2-4 above?
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I have a 50’ length of LMR400 cable that has sustained some insulation damage. (If you don’t mind, I won’t go into how it became damaged – will save that for a later post). I’m wondering if it is performing as well as it needs to be for GMRS use? Maybe there are people on this forum with some experience in using a damaged cable that can chime in. Here’s some needed information before you can answer:
Description of cable:
As I said, the cable is 50 feet long. It is 50 ohms, LMR400 equivalent (labeled Bolton400), heavy-duty, low-loss coaxial. It has N-type male connectors on each end. I use N-Type to UHF converters to connect to my radio and antenna. Approximate price: $60.
Description of damage:
The outside insulation damage appears to be about 1 inch long by about ¼ inch wide (does not go all the way around the cable). The braiding layer appears to be scratched, but completely in tact (not torn through to the next insulation layer).
Here are four possible solutions:
Possible solutions:
Solution 1: Do nothing. The cable works now (although performance is in question). Price: $0.
Solution 2: Abandon the cable, bite my lip and purchase a new cable. Price: $50-$60.
Solution 3: Cut off the bad section of the cable (about 10’ from one end) and the other connector as well, and mount two new PL-259 (UHF male) connectors on both ends leaving 40’ of pristine cable, which is still about 10' more than I need. Replacing the N-Type connectors allows the elimination of the two existing converters at either end. Price: $20 (per quote received from a local cable company that specializes in radio cables).
Solution 4: Same as above, but leave good side N-Type connector and mount new N-Type connector on cut-off end. Price: Uncertain (but should be less that solution 3 above).
Additional Information:
Solution 2 involves ordering, substantial cost, waiting for shipment, and then installing new cable. Time consuming, but doable. Solutions 3 and 4 involve removal of the old cable, driving about 25+ miles (each way) to cable shop, and re-installation. A fair amount of time/work.
Right now, the cable seems to be working, which leans me towards solution 1. But I’m basing this on my own (imperfect) perception of Tx and Rx performance. I don’t have any meters or test equipment other than a standard VOM. On the other hand, if the cable is in fact NOT performing as well as it would before being damaged, should I pursue one of the solutions 2-4 above?
Thank you in advance.
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