Testing hardline or coax

[VETCOMMS]

I recently acquired some hardline. How do I test it to see if it's still good?  What equipment is needed? 

Similarly,  how do I test hardline at a tower site to see if it's good?

[AdmiralCochrane]

LMR 400 is perfect for 50 - 60 ft runs.  Maybe even 100.  If most of your 100 is up, the height gain will more than offset the power loss.

[tcp2525]

2 hours ago, WRKC935 said:

At one point they did make 7/8 cable with a solid center.  But that was YEARS ago. 

My first question would be how long is this run of 7/8 that you have.  There is so much out there that guys believe that they NEED big cable for everything, but fail to realize that short runs (under 50 feet) other, more manageable cable is fine for the application.  If the piece of cable is in the hundreds of feet, putting effort into testing it is worth the effort.  If this is some 20 or 30 foot piece of line, it's really not worth the trouble to mess with it.

I'm not sure that I've seen any solid core hardline that large in 50 ohm. I know there was some 75 ohm large stuff, but that was always solid aluminum shield and copper clad aluminum center conductor. The smaller 50 ohm hardline we use today is corrugated copper shield with a copper clad aluminum center conductor. And as you said, the larger stuff has a hollow copper center conductor.

[LeoG]

My run at my house is 84'.  60 to the lightning arrester and 24' up the mast.  I'm using a M&P Hyperflex 13.  Seems to do OK.

[WRYZ926]

M & P lists the loss of 2.6 dB at 100 foot with Hyperflex 10 at 430 MHz. Then it is 3.6 dB of loss at 100 foot at 800 MHz

https://messi.it/dati/layout/files/CartellaElementi/hyperflex10-full-datasheet-eng-min.pdf

So you should be fine with a run of 84 feet as long as you are using a good antenna with some gain.

[LeoG]

I went through all the calculations of loss and gain for my system and it is what it is.  I have a Wouxun XSKG20+ that puts out 25 watts.  I screwed up.  I'm using the Hyperflex 13 not the 10.  So 1.7dB loss plus 4 fittings, lightning arrester.  Antenna is 7.2dBi gain so 5.05dBd gain.  Comes out to just about 50 watts ERP out of the antenna with 15.7 watts making it to the antenna.

 

10xLOG10(50/15.7)=5.03dB gain on antenna.  I'd call that close to 5.05dBd after you subtract 2.15 from 7.2 to convert from dBi to dBd.

[VETCOMMS]

Finally got to the shed and thought I'd share the pics of the hardline.  Looks like i have Andrews 7/8 Heliax.

The NanoVNA showed and an adapter kit so next I'm hoping to learn how to put the N-type connectors on.

[dosw]

On 9/11/2024 at 9:07 PM, VETCOMMS said:

Forgive me for my lack of knowledge but where do I get the adapters to go from the sma connectors to the n type connectors or any other connector typically found on coax/antennas?  I don't even know what they're called.  Is it a matter of calling Gigaparts or another amateur radio online store?

I bought a 24pc assorted adapters kit, plus a few SMA-M and SMA-F to PL259 and SO239 short cables, and a few PL259 to PL259 short cables. Less than $60 for all that. At this point I never run into things I can't connect to my NanoVNA, TinySA, and SW102. But your connectors are possibly more esoteric. Nevertheless you should be able to find adapters for them on Amazon, which is where I found all the other assorted adapters.

[VETCOMMS]

I noticed the coax says Type LDF5 so I assume i need a tool or tools specifically for that type of coax?  Do I need one tool for stripping/preparation of the coax and another to attach the N-type connectors to each end?

I saw this but not sure it'd work for my type of hardline?

https://youtu.be/0SkOsM0FfuA?feature=shared

[SteveShannon]

5 minutes ago, VETCOMMS said:

I noticed the coax says Type LDF5 so I assume i need a tool or tools specifically for that type of coax?  Do I need one tool for stripping/preparation of the coax and another to attach the N-type connectors to each end?

I saw this but not sure it'd work for my type of hardline?

https://youtu.be/0SkOsM0FfuA?feature=shared

Look, that’s a great tool, but you can go broke buying tools to strip and prep hardline.  Every manufacturer of connectors has its own selection of tools that are designed to make the installation of their connectors easier for a professional.  Some are intended for a production environment where time is money. Stripping and prepping might require tools.  Installing the connectors usually only requires a couple wrenches.

It’s nice to have the hardline but if you don’t need a long length of cable it might not be worth the investment.  How far do you have to span?

I tried to include links to less expensive and home handyman methods of preparation in my previous posts. They should give you an idea of what’s involved.  Tools like your link aren’t worth it to do one or two connectors.

[VETCOMMS]

46 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Look, that’s a great tool, but you can go broke buying tools to strip and prep hardline.  Every manufacturer of connectors has its own selection of tools that are designed to make the installation of their connectors easier for a professional.  Some are intended for a production environment where time is money. Stripping and prepping might require tools.  Installing the connectors usually only requires a couple wrenches.

It’s nice to have the hardline but if you don’t need a long length of cable it might not be worth the investment.  How far do you have to span?

I tried to include links to less expensive and home handyman methods of preparation in my previous posts. They should give you an idea of what’s involved.  Tools like your link aren’t worth it to do one or two connectors.

I'll go back and look at your link as I don't plan on doing a lot of this.   After previous discussion I've learned of I'm doing 30-50 foot runs then LMR400 is likely more than adequate. 

I agree,  I don't want to spend a lot on specialized tools if I can use less expensive handyman tools!

I enjoy learning how to do this in the chance I can get onto a tower and "do it right."

Otherwise,  what's the best way to sell this hardline?  What's the going rate?

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, VETCOMMS said:

I'll go back and look at your link as I don't plan on doing a lot of this.   After previous discussion I've learned of I'm doing 30-50 foot runs then LMR400 is likely more than adequate. 

I agree,  I don't want to spend a lot on specialized tools if I can use less expensive handyman tools!

I enjoy learning how to do this in the chance I can get onto a tower and "do it right."

Otherwise,  what's the best way to sell this hardline?  What's the going rate?

I don’t know the going rate. I would watch to see if your local ham club has a swap meet. 

[tcp2525]

15 hours ago, VETCOMMS said:

I noticed the coax says Type LDF5 so I assume i need a tool or tools specifically for that type of coax?  Do I need one tool for stripping/preparation of the coax and another to attach the N-type connectors to each end?

I saw this but not sure it'd work for my type of hardline?

https://youtu.be/0SkOsM0FfuA?feature=shared

The most expensive tool one needs to buy and keep in their box is a utility knife with a new sharp blade. Of course, a fine tooth hacksaw is the second tool one needs. The corrugated copper shield cuts like butter under a sharp blade. Take a scrap piece of 7/8" and download the instructions for the connector of choice for your application and practice and you'll be amazed at how well they come out. After a few practice runs, you'll be patting yourself on the back and saying, Damn, I did such a good job I scared the living sh!t out of myself. If you're installing many connectors daily, buy the tool.