RG213 experiences

[chris-s]

The mast is coming down over the winter and i intend to replace all the wiring and electrical fittings. I have been given an unused 30m reel of what appears to be good RG213 (tinned braid, polypropylene insulator) but it is quite a bit thicker and stiffer than something like RG8 I have used in the past.

Whilst everyone’s setup will differ, expecting it to be a little more awkward to fit and route to maintain minimum bend radius, is it worth it or to much hassle and i would be better off with RG8?

Boat is a late eighties Beneteau.

 

[starfire]

I assume you mean RG-58 ?
If you can get some, and the correct connectors, try RG-58/U.
Slightly thicker than RG-58 but a lot lower loss.
It has a foam dielectric

 

[st599]

RG213 is significantly lower loss that RG58 (6.9 dB/100m vs 28 at 100MHz) but it's about 4 times heavier .

 

[chris-s]

I assume you mean RG-58 ?
If you can get some, and the correct connectors, try RG-58/U.
Slightly thicker than RG-58 but a lot lower loss.
It has a foam dielectric

Sorry, yes, I meant RG-8X which is what I've used before and had planned for this job, but was given a new length of RG-213 for free.

 

[Martin_J]

As st599 says, it's significantly better than the thinner cables that either come with the antennas or that you find in any chandlery.

At least your mast is down, but as you've found, it's got a larger minimum bend radius and is quite a bit heavier.

I use Aircell 7 on most of my radio kit.. It has a very similar loss to the RG213 but is only 7mm diameter, although I know you didn't ask for other types since you already have the RG213.

Nobody asked what size boat you have or how long the run is from antenna to VHF... If the cable can fit then it will be better in terms of both Tx and Rx.

 

[B27]

It's only better so long as you don't bugger it up with a tight bend or an imperfect connector.
The attenuation quoted for RG 58/u does vary from vendor to vendor, but 23dB per 100m at 200MHz is one answer.
My mast is a little over 10m, so <2.3dB. Chiselling that down by 0.5 or 1dB may excite a few Ham anoraks, but it's small beer in terms of the path loss and dynamic range.
It's also all void if the coax has been allowed to get damp and oxidise.
The main thing is, so I'm told, fit some new coax because anything that's been on a boat for ten years is quite likely a bit sordid.
I'm a bit out of touch with industry right now, where's a good place to buy coax?
I might just buy a new aerial and use the old one for AIS.

 

[Martin_J]

It's only better so long as you don't bugger it up with a tight bend or an imperfect connector.
The attenuation quoted for RG 58/u does vary from vendor to vendor, but 23dB per 100m at 200MHz is one answer.
My mast is a little over 10m, so <2.3dB. Chiselling that down by 0.5 or 1dB may excite a few Ham anoraks....

I'm a bit out of touch with industry right now, where's a good place to buy coax?
I might just buy a new aerial and use the old one for AIS.

If you're anywhere near Portsmouth then just call in to Nevada Radio. They're not far from the very top of the Eastern Road.

Cables, Leads & Plugs - Nevada Radio

 

[Daverw]

When I had our mast down 5 years ago rewired ours in RG213 as I had had a drum lying around, as said just make sure you can route to avoid tight radius