coax advice please

Hi can I just ask everyone's advice on coax please?  Which do you feel is better RG213 or RG8XX and which would you use for an over 100 feet run?
Thanks

I use both but i find RG213 a bit of overkill as my longest run is around 25ft.
RG8X is not bad i think but not sure on that length what the loss would be.
Also the 213 is hard to get round corners.
Somebody with better knowledge on this will be along soon i would think.

Thanks Alan, that's helpful
Daz

Just thinking about it.
100ft ??? i think i would still use RG8x 100mtr then 213.
But that's just me and i don't try for absolute perfection but some try there best i am just happy if i can get out and receive.
28ft of RG8x on my cobweb antenna mounted at 13ft and i get to the US Canada Japan on ft-8 with 10w so will do for me.

Well, 8x has almost twice the loss of 213, and at CB frequencies and only a 100’ run, we’re talking 1dB vs 2dB.

https://www.winsystem.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-04-at-8.04.22-PM.png

3dB is half your power, just for reference.

Short runs - Pretty much anything would do as it becomes negligible.

Long runs - The best coax you can afford! 


I wouldn't install 213 in a mobile fitting scenario but similarly wouldn't use 'cheap' coax to run up a tower.

(Having an upstairs radio room with antennas in the loft, so runs less than 15 - 20ft, I use good TV coax successfully.  )


Just a case of choosing the right coax for the job especially as it's the most important aspect of any radio setup, i.e. the whole antenna system. The best radio in the world is rendered useless with a poor antenna system.

But, if 8x is what you can budget for or handle on installation then don't let it stop you. Getting on air can be the most important thing for some - but you won't half kick yourself if you decide to 'upgrade' coax later.


As Alan has pointed out he uses short runs so no problem and Jeff, (43CT016), rightly points out losses. 
That 3db reference is indeed half your output power but also equates to losses on receive too!!!

Some good advice already given but I would stress that the 'whole' antenna system is the most important thing to successfully be on air.


All the best,
Victor

i found your comments about tv coax interesting , because i also want to put a radio set up in an upstairs room , thanks victor

thanks for replying , im the same  ,not looking for the ultimate set up . Just something that will work lol , is your cobweb antenna homebrew or retail ? cheers daz

thanks for reply to post , and for the link , cheers daz , stay safe and many thanks to everyone

Bought the cobweb from a guy in Poland.
He sell's on eBay.
Good quality and works very well i think at only 13ft off the ground.

Alan Pilot wrote:

I use both but i find RG213 a bit of overkill as my longest run is around 25ft.
RG8X is not bad i think but not sure on that length what the loss would be.
Also the 213 is hard to get round corners.
Somebody with better knowledge on this will be along soon i would think.

I have gone over to M&P Ultraflex 10, bit overkill as well but it bends so easy.
Much better than Westflex or 213 and it can be used around rotators.

I have some Hyperflex 13 as well that is going to replace Westflex on a 25metre run up
the mast to the Logperiodic, this should get rid of two joints as this can go round rotors as well.

You guys are confusing RG8x with RG8-XX (Super mini has the same specs as rg213