I have a new Bridgecom repeater ordered and am now thinking about replacing my existing antenna and feedline with something more efficient for a $1500 repeater!
I was initially thinking about 1/4" Superflex heliax, but according to the specs I've found loss is around 4.5db/100' <Yikes!> The one major advantage is the 2" bend radius.
Next for consideration is 1/2" Superflex with only 1.4db/100' loss. That's more reasonable I think. Price is $1.69/ft. The 5" bend radius is an issue though. The coax enters through a pass through tube below my desk, but has to make about a 2" bend and travel up the wall about 2' and then make another 2" bend to the back of the repeater's antenna port.
What I'm wondering is if I could bring the 1/2" heliax down to my lightning arrestor, then use about 6' of 1/4" Superflex to bring it into my house, and if that would cause any serious issues. Alternatively I could simply use the 6' of LMR400 cable that's already in place.
I'm somewhat challenged for height at the moment, so I'm thinking a 6db gain antenna would help compensate for the lower height. Any recommendations for antenna choice?
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n4gix
I have a new Bridgecom repeater ordered and am now thinking about replacing my existing antenna and feedline with something more efficient for a $1500 repeater!
I was initially thinking about 1/4" Superflex heliax, but according to the specs I've found loss is around 4.5db/100' <Yikes!> The one major advantage is the 2" bend radius.
Next for consideration is 1/2" Superflex with only 1.4db/100' loss. That's more reasonable I think. Price is $1.69/ft. The 5" bend radius is an issue though. The coax enters through a pass through tube below my desk, but has to make about a 2" bend and travel up the wall about 2' and then make another 2" bend to the back of the repeater's antenna port.
What I'm wondering is if I could bring the 1/2" heliax down to my lightning arrestor, then use about 6' of 1/4" Superflex to bring it into my house, and if that would cause any serious issues. Alternatively I could simply use the 6' of LMR400 cable that's already in place.
I'm somewhat challenged for height at the moment, so I'm thinking a 6db gain antenna would help compensate for the lower height. Any recommendations for antenna choice?
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