| Author |
Message |
    
Wayne
Junior Member
Username: Wayne
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 8:49 am: | 
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I was just wanting to know why is the 213 coax so much better than the RG8. I checked the specs. on both and the only difference is the 213 will handle up to 5000 watts compared to the RG8 handles up to 2000 watts. So if a person is not going to run over 500watts yes 500watts whats the big difference, also not going over 150ft. |
Scrapiron63
Advanced Member
Username: Scrapiron63
Post Number: 806
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 11:52 am: |
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There are types of RG8 that are better than 213. Do a search for Belden and look at their specs.
There's a Belden plant here about 2 miles from my house, and from talking to people that work there, the way I understand it, 213 is a type of RG8, and not their best grade. One of them got me a roll of RG8 8214 years ago, and it was better than 213 specs. scrapiron |
Wayne
Junior Member
Username: Wayne
Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 12:29 am: |
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Thanks Scrapiron63 you are a great help. I wonder which cable does copper handle????(RG8) I wonder if I could buy the cable stright from the factory and save some money. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5440
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 7:51 am: |
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Wayne,
Click on the Link Below for the Information on the Coax that Copper Carries.
Copper Coax
Copper Electronics carries the S.I.W. (Superior Insulated Wire) Brand of Coax.
S.I.W. is the Oldest Coax Manufacturer in the US and the largest in the world.
As for buying direct from the Factory you will find Copper Prices are the Lowest on Coax there is.
If you can afford the RG213 I would suggest going with it over the RG8 for the main reason if you ever upgrade your equipment you would not have to upgrade your coax.
We have personally used and recommended the S.I.W. brand of coax RG213, RG8 and RG8X on everything including all jumpers for equipment and radios for over 20 years now.
I would guess that over the years the 1st Sargant and I have sold well over 3 million feet of S.I.W. Coax and never had 1 single compliant.
Even though we are semi retired from the radio business we still go thru between 1000 and 1500 feet or more a month of S.I.W. Coax RG8, RG213, RG8X for friends and past customers.
And every single inch of it comes from Copper Electronics. 
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Wayne
Junior Member
Username: Wayne
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 5:17 am: |
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Wow thanks Lon you have been a great help. I can always count on the Copper Forum. I think if more people would try the forum they would learn a lot. I listen to many operators talking and they don't know what they are talking about,but I can come to the forum and get the right answer. Thanks again. 73s 88s CEF158 |
Sarge
Junior Member
Username: Sarge
Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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Another thing to keep in mind: "RG-8", "RG-213", etc. are all references to military specifications for coaxial cable.
The milspec for RG-8 was dropped many years ago (early 1980's). Current military Technical Manuals or Technical Orders now only list the replacement milspec, which is RG-213.
The cable size and 52-ohm impedance remained the same. The main change was in the composition of the outer insulation. Various chemicals were added to the plastic to give it better resistance to UV radiation (sun light). You may have noticed how some plastics become brittle over time from being out in the sun (cheap patio furniture, for example).
So, the interesting thing is that today you really don't know what you are getting when you purchase "RG-8" coax since the military specification no longer exists. Each manufacturer can make up his own standards. I have even seen coax marked with the words "RG-8 Type", which might imply that its round and black and somewhere near 40-60 ohms impedance. It all depends on the company making it. The old companies with the established "names" probably make RG-8 to the old specs or better. But I would beware of "Most Honorable RG-8 Type" coax made in China.
I have some old military surplus RG-214, which is similar to RG-213 but has double silver-plated shielding. This might help slightly up into the VHF spectrum. It makes installing a PL-259 connector somewhat difficult, but it can be done. The outer insulation changes color from black to light black / gray from exposure to outdoor weather. I'm sure the current specs for RG-214 include the same outer insulation composition improvement that was included in the RG-213 milspecs.
Bottom Line: spend wisely on coaxial cable. Avoid the cheap stuff with questionable specifications. |
Scoobydoo
Member
Username: Scoobydoo
Post Number: 96
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 9:03 pm: |
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LMR-400 is better.  |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3651
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 6:33 am: |
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"LMR-400 is better"
We use it here at the jail for all our repeaters good stuff |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1067
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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I switched to 213 in the mobile. I will never use mini8 ever again if I can help it! |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2576
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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'We use it here at the jail for all our repeaters'-i hear in california, 3-time-repeaters get life, ACLU disapproves of using LMR400 on repeaters  |
