Using cheap cable tv coax for Ham Radio.


 Despite some disadvantages, I've used common tv coaxial cable (RG-6) for antenna feed lines for nearly 40 years.  RG-6 is readily available, inexpensive, has good shielding, and is acceptable for short antenna runs (under 50-feet/15.24-meters).

As Stephen (KD2WTU) explains in this excellent tutorial, the only drawback to RG-6 is its 75-ohm impedance, which leads to a small SWR mismatch when it's connected to the 50-ohm impedance of most modern transceivers.

Stephen does a good job of showing both the pros and cons of this valuable alternative to 50-ohm coax such as RG-8, RG-58, and RG-8X.

So, the next time you're out of RG-8, please pick up a cheap roll of RG-6, a few suitable connectors, and build a basic dipole antenna.  RG-6 coax should be part of your emergency "go-kit."

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5knzS-1gCUM.

Thanks for joining us today.

Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Here are some comments from Stephen (KD2WTU):

In this video I detail how I use regular ol' 75 ohm, RG 6 Cable tv coax for my amateur radio station, and the pros and cons of doing so. Link for PL 259 to Type F adaptors on amazon: https://a.co/d/fKAFRQv Link for PL 259 screw on connectors on amazon: https://a.co/d/bAgmEZV

Follow along using the transcript.

KD2WTU

221 subscribers

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my Amateur Radio Blog. I value your comments and suggestions. For Amateur Radio Antenna Topics and Discussions, stay here. For Amateur Radio News and Trends, please visit my news site at https://bigislandarrlnews.com.
Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Popular posts from this blog

G5RV Multi Band HF Dipole Antenna. Post #1555.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNHIQ_j4Dk This well-produced and richly illustrated tutorial on the classic G5RV HF Dipole Antenna was presented to the Brandon Amateur Radio Society in Brandon, Florida in 2017 by Bernie Huth (W4BGH).  Bernie does an excellent job of  explaining the pros and cons of this popular HF antenna from the late Louis Varney (G5RV).  Although Varney envisioned his design primarily as a 3/2 wavelength antenna for the 20 meter Amateur Radio band, radio amateurs have used the antenna for multiband use.  The G5RV is an excellent choice for the 20 meter band.  Performance on other HF Amateur Radio bands is good enough to qualify as stand alone HF antenna if you can only erect one HF antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/ar...
Read more

Antenna for Condo Backyard-Stealth. Post #1542.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXTYTytR56A. Don't let deed-restricted properties (HOA/CC&R) stop you from enjoying Amateur Radio.  In this video from AC2RJ, we see how some well-placed trees, a camera tripod, a telescoping fiberglass mast, and a "V" antenna can get you on the air without a lot of effort.  Add an antenna "tuner", a sturdy rig, such as the Yaesu FT-817, a microphone/cw key, and a simple grounding system, and you have a fully functional, nearly invisible ham station in your backyard. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News ...
Read more

Amateur Radio Bicycle Mobile Setup. Post #1554.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zWb-KnkGdY. Here's a way to use Amatuer/Ham Radio while you work on shedding a few pounds in useful exercise.  Why not equip your bicycle for 2 meter/70 cm mobile operation? In this short, well-made video, "taverned" shows us how he used a mag mount antenna, a simple C clamp, and a basic ground system to convert his mountain bike into a mobile station.  The project is straight forward, simple, and gives you emergency communications while you peddle down the road. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). ...
Read more