need help with ICOM 710 auto tuner cables

[davil]

Hi
have a set from previous boat,when sold it,removed the Icom 710 including the antena autotuner.
At the time just cut the cables,now like to reinstall on my new boat.
Initially was going to take it a an electronic shop to replace cables.
Cheap as I am decided to open the auto tuner box,found one of the cables cut is power,no problems,just replace.
Second looks like a coaxial,believe there are several types?gauges?
here the pics.
Any help on identifying correct wire and,are there precut on different sizes to avoid using soldered connectors?
ideas,suggestions needed welcome.
thanks

[ohgary]

[QUOTE=davil;2727787]Hi
have a set from previous boat,when sold it,removed the Icom 710 including the antena autotuner.
/QUOTE]

Which auto tuner you have. Icom auto tuners typically have a RF cable to the radio, Standard 50 Ohm cable. Cable to look for dpending on size is RG8, RG8x, RG58, RG213 or LMR400. The second cable is the control cable and will have power, and control lines in it.

[davil]

thank you Gary
it was fitted initially with RG8,could not read easily but finally made it,that cable appears not longer used and HAM as well as SSB users replaced generally by rg213.
I should have done my home work before asking.
take care

[Viking Sailor]

Gary,


There are several models of antenna tuners that are compatible with the M710. Which model do you have?

[davil]

thank you Viking
issue resolved,I finally identified the cable,just need to get a new length

[ohgary]

Originally Posted by davil

thank you Gary
it was fitted initially with RG8,could not read easily but finally made it,that cable appears not longer used and HAM as well as SSB users replaced generally by rg213.
I should have done my home work before asking.
take care

Problem with RG8 is there is a lot of "JUNK" RG8 on the market. Its now RG8 with minimal shielding up to RG8 with 100% shield. RG213 is usable and similar in size to RG8 but Now a days most hams are using LMR400, Better specs on higher freq, Good on VHF, UHF or HF. For tuners I have a AH4, non marine version of the of the AT-140 and an SGC 235. Both work with ICOM interfaces and auto tune on transmit.

Dont have a boat with HF, still in the Retirement is a few years away phase of boat hunting.

[ohgary]

Some specs for cable. Not as important on HF/SSB but on VHF it can make a difference. Again specs will vary by manufactures but these are from common and quality manufactures. Lower number is better and would indicate less signal loss, both on transmit and more importantly on receive.



CABLE LOSS HF LOSS VHF
------- ----------- -------------
RG8 .9db 3.1db
RG213 .7db 1.7db
LMR400 .5db 1.4db

As you can see RG8 has higher loss at both marine freq ranges.
RG213 and LMR400 are close in loss but LMR400 in my test case is better.
Again there is a lot of junk cables on the market and some of the loss go up on poor quality cables. You can also find RG9913 that will have similar specs to LMR400. Also watch the jumper cables, some of the short one I see found on online retailers are also make using poor quality cables. Get a custom cable make with quality cables and connectors.

[RaymondR]

Not a good image but it looks like the connector is one of the ones which screw onto the outer cover and and the conductor end is soldered to the pin. If so you could un-solder and unscrew it and use it on the old cable. Probably end up with a better cable than some of the junk available now.

[ohgary]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Not a good image but it looks like the connector is one of the ones which screw onto the outer cover and and the conductor end is soldered to the pin. If so you could un-solder and unscrew it and use it on the old cable. Probably end up with a better cable than some of the junk available now.

YOu dont really unscrew it but you could strip and resolder the connection.

IF the coax is 5+ years old its time to replace it. Coax has a limited lifespan.

There are a number of videos and docs on how to install a PL259. Just google install a pl259.. Two key items. First you need to solder both the center connector and shield. Also you need to make sure your PL259 and any insert adapter is for the cable your using.