7/8 Heliax Commscope vs RFS

[JeepZJ]

I'm ready to order a custom made cable. (The Antenna Farm)  for my solar powered GMRS repeater shack.  My pole is going to be a 21' x 2" black steel pipe attached to the side of the shack.

 

Their is a significant difference in price between the Commscope vs RFS yet the  RFS seems to have better numbers .778 db  vs .753 db loss @ 450mhz.

 

Is their some reason why I would pay $1.90 per foot more for Commscope?

 

Also suggestions on how to get the cable into the shack considering the  Min. Bending Radius is 10".  Should I transission to a more flexible cable at the entry point, if so what cable should I use for this.  Should there be a drip loop?

 

 

[Logan5]

I'll leave coax suggestions to other users, However I do believe a full circle loop will allow you to enter through the wall easily. The loop will also act as a drip loop as well as reduce damage from movement wile servicing the ends. I would place your lightening arrestor at this loops prior to entry. Is your pole going to be stabbed into the ground and a eve bracket? or are you going to also use a bottom bracket?

[JohnE]

what is the total length to the ant. 25' would IMO of 7/8" when 1/2" will do fine. unless you running on running 100+ feet I wouldn't bother w/7/8

also for the record your splitting hairs at the difference in loss.

[JeepZJ]

what is the total length to the ant. 25' would IMO of 7/8" when 1/2" will do fine. unless you running on running 100+ feet I wouldn't bother w/7/8

also for the record your splitting hairs at the difference in loss.

The 7/8 RFS cable is only .50 ft more than the 1/2" and it cuts the loss is half.  I'm trying to determine why the 7/8 Commscope is $1.90 per foot more than the 7/8 RFS.  Will it last significantly longer, does it transmit better......???  I have been doing a lot of research and some very experienced folks have suggested 7/8 heliax for UHF so that is why I'm steering this ship in that direction.

[rfmedic]

The 7/8 RFS cable is only .50 ft more than the 1/2" and it cuts the loss is half.  I'm trying to determine why the 7/8 Commscope is $1.90 per foot more than the 7/8 RFS.  Will it last significantly longer, does it transmit better......???  I have been doing a lot of research and some very experienced folks have suggested 7/8 heliax for UHF so that is why I'm steering this ship in that direction.

 

No, what is the total length of the feedline run from the inside of the repeater shed to the antenna? Under a 100FT length 7/8" heliax is overkill for your application. 1/2" LDF4-50A is more than adequate on UHF up to 90-100FT in length especially for what you want to do.

 

There is no discernible performance difference between the commscope and RFS cables - it is just 2 rival manufacturers splitting hairs that are unmeasurable without expensive sweep gear.

 

RfMedic