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Old 15-04-2019, 10:27   #1
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New radio and coaxial install........

Quick question for the experts and those with more knowledge than myself, which is most everyone.

Newly built mast came with coaxial RG8/U chased in the spar. RG8/U is an older product with no Mil specs and apparently some issues with quality. It is my understanding that RG213 is the replacement for RG8 which does have Mil specs and good quality.

Since we are on the hard with the mast down would you recommend pulling the RG8 and replacing it with RG213? Or is this overkill? Maybe some good real world experience in this camp?

BTW the RG8 is new cable.....


Thanks,

S
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Old 15-04-2019, 10:41   #2
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

There is more than one kind of RG8. Does it have a mfgr part number? Belden puts their number on all their cables.
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Old 15-04-2019, 11:06   #3
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

There is nothing wrong with good quality RG8 coax. Note -good quality cable invariably has manufacturer name printed on the insulation.
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Old 15-04-2019, 12:55   #4
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

If it is Belden 8237 then it’s better than RG213. Here is a handy online calculator:

https://www.qsl.net/co8tw/Coax_Calculator.htm
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Old 15-04-2019, 15:13   #5
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

Thanks for the input....

Not sure if it is Belden. I will check, but I don't believe it is. It was manufactured in the U.S. tho. Maybe that is something these days.

Not a big deal just thought this would be the time to avoid any issues in the future.
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Old 15-04-2019, 15:40   #6
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

RG8 is heavy. As is RG213 and all the other .5" diameter cables. They are good for low loss, but until you have a direct open in the cable, the difference in loss between RG8 and RG8X is bearable. RG8X .25" diameter and if you get Belden or any other brand name cable, you should be good to go. Plus, RG8X is lighter than RG8. Just make you use good connectors and heat shrink with double wall heat shrink tubing.
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Old 15-04-2019, 16:48   #7
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

RG8, RG213 and not cable specs, just common names. Without knowing the specs for the cable your using its anyone guess the quality. VHF loss will vary by manufacture but mast height plus running around the boat can be 70-100ft of cable length. For a safety based item buy the best you can afford.
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Old 16-04-2019, 09:08   #8
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

LMR 400 is a good choice if you do not have any sharp bends.
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Old 16-04-2019, 09:25   #9
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

I don’t have a sailboat but my own outlook is that if I have an opportunity to upgrade/improve a secondary piece of hardware while my boat is on the hard, I’ll do it. Take advantage of being out of the water with the mast down.
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Old 16-04-2019, 10:50   #10
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

If your cable run is about 100 ft then Times Microwave LMR 400 will have about 3 dB less loss than RG-8X at marine VHF frequencies, a significant difference. LMR 400 has a solid center conductor so it is not suggested for applications where the cable has very tight bends or where it is frequently flexed. I think it is ideal for a masthead antenna run. Note that it uses proprietary versions of standard connectors, available from Times or their distributors. I have not found it to be pricey compared to other good quality coax cable.
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Old 16-04-2019, 11:16   #11
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

I have a 60 foot mast so the run is nearly 80 feet to my VHF. RG-8X is good stuff but has nearly twice the attenuation (loss) of RG-113. Especially for a longer run, use coax with the low loss.
Here is an easy-to-use calc that might be of help.
https://www.timesmicrowave.com/calcu...uctId=122#form
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Old 16-04-2019, 13:20   #12
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

Pandora's box.

Check the installation. If they used "chinese finger traps" to hold and secure the cable, leave it alone. (Electricians have a different name for these, I can never remember it.) The problem with mast cables is that if they have foam insulation, it tends to crush and degrade as gravity stretches the cable over a few years. And any zipties or other ties crush it. It can also absorb water, so you may want solid insulation--not foam. Despite solid being worse in several ways, in theory.

The quality of the installation is possibly MORE important than whatever cable they used. A good installation will mean more work than just pulling new cable.
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Old 02-05-2019, 12:41   #13
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

Thank you to all who have posted.........


Manufacturer appears to be CAROL.

Carol C1154-RG8U Type 50 Ohm

1C 13 AWG



The rest of the print I believe relates to the manufacture....

AWM 1354 80C
E 18621-F ROHS
Made in the US 4/15

The wire is not tinned. It is straight up copper.

Not a big deal really. We have built this boat from scratch. Almost there in terms of fit out. This topic came up as I have gotten closer to crimping the wire and working up the run from the bottom of the mast to the radio and AIS. Being an amateur there have been some head scratching moments. Info on the net cast some doubt on RG8. So if it is not good then this would be the time to pull it. But what a pain in the hinder. So if it is OK I will leave it.

I would be curious if the above info changes any of your opinions.

Cheers!! and thanks again for your input.

S
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Old 02-05-2019, 16:32   #14
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

The Carol C1154-RG8U has about 2.5db of loss at VHF freq.

LMR400 has about 1db of loss at vhf freq.
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Old 02-05-2019, 18:22   #15
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Re: New radio and coaxial install........

I would not rerun a coax for 1.5dB. It’s not worth it in my opinion. RG8U is not the high loss RG8X floating around. Don’t worry about tinned copper either. Even tinned will corrode if it gets salt water inside. Concentrated on sealing the heck out of the outdoor connector.
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