Antenna and coax cable

[WSHE531]

I’m new at this and was wanting some of your thought on choosing cable and a antenna for base unit.

[WRYZ926]

Another option if you want a custom length cable is ABR Industries. Yes they will cost a little more but they are excellent cables. You won't go wrong with cables from ABR Ind., Messi and Paoloni, Times Microwave, or DX Engineering. Another good source that I have only used for short jumpers is the Jet brand from R&L Electronics. 

You will be fine as long as you stick with LMR400 or a quality equivalent.  Avoid the cheap stuff from Amazon and eBay.

The Comet CA-712EFC is a very popular antenna that works well. It is long at around 10 ft. The Comet CA-GMRS is another good antenna if you need something shorter. There are other brands that will be suggested.

[BoxCar]

LMR 400 available from many different suppliers. Antenna depends on height, and need.

[WRYZ926]

The DX Engineering Max400 is an LMR equivalent and good coax for less cost. Search around for LMR400 equivalent coax. I would just stay away from the cheap stuff on Amazon.

[WSHE531]

  On 2/22/2025 at 6:57 PM, BoxCar said:

LMR 400 available from many different suppliers. Antenna depends on height, and need.

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35 feet 

[Socalgmrs]

Lm400 is best bang for the buck unless you have a whole bunch of money.  I run 50w radio 40’ of lm400 and a comet 9nc that was upgraded from a 712efc.   Crystal clear  60miles from the high desert of California to Huntington beach and  170miles to Las Vegas the next state over.  

[WSHE531]

  On 2/22/2025 at 8:52 PM, Socalgmrs said:

Lm400 is best bang for the buck unless you have a whole bunch of money.  I run 50w radio 40’ of lm400 and a comet 9nc that was upgraded from a 712efc.   Crystal clear  60miles from the high desert of California to Huntington beach and  170miles to Las Vegas the next state over.  

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Wow!!! Thats Cool!!! Thanks for the respond.

[WSHE531]

  On 2/22/2025 at 7:01 PM, WRYZ926 said:

The DX Engineering Max400 is an LMR equivalent and good coax for less cost. Search around for LMR400 equivalent coax. I would just stay away from the cheap stuff on Amazon.

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I'll look into it> Thanks for responding.

[MSnow]

  On 2/22/2025 at 5:41 PM, WSHE531 said:

I’m new at this and was wanting some of your thought on choosing cable and a antenna for base unit.

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You can shop around for deals and many of the YT people have codes you can use for discounts. I ended up with the Comet CA-712EFC 460-470MHz 9 dBi Gain base antenna, and I used the premade Messi & Paoloni hyperflex 13 premium .500" coax w/PL259 connectors. I also had to get an N male to UHF female adapter and silicone seal shrink tube too. With all the discount codes I found, and sales they had going on I was able to get everything for less then $250 including shipping.

[WSHE531]

  On 2/22/2025 at 10:04 PM, MSnow said:

You can shop around for deals and many of the YT people have codes you can use for discounts. I ended up with the Comet CA-712EFC 460-470MHz 9 dBi Gain base antenna, and I used the premade Messi & Paoloni hyperflex 13 premium .500" coax w/PL259 connectors. I also had to get an N male to UHF female adapter and silicone seal shrink tube too. With all the discount codes I found, and sales they had going on I was able to get everything for less then $250 including shipping.

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Nice, I'll check it out thanks for responding.