What kind of coax for VHF antenna?

[Reptile Smile]

Hi all,

Just investigating running a fixed VHF rather than handheld. What kind of coax do I need to run down the mast?

Also, are these the connectors I need for either end?

Cheers

 

[Salty John]

Your choices of cable are RG58, RG8X, RG8U or RG213. There are some other types but those are the most common sizes. RG58 is 6mm, RG8X is 7mm, the others are 9mm. (That's the nominal diameter, they're actually slightly under that).
Best choice in my opinion is RG8X because it's less 'lossy' than RG58 but flexible and easy to handle. The bigger diameter cables are necessary for longer runs, over about 20m.
The PL259 connector you link to is correct for RG8U/ RG213, you'll need to find the correct size PL259 once you've selected cable size.

The cable must be 50 ohm, tinned braid and centre core, stranded centre core, over 90% braid coverage.

 

[Oscar24]

Typical coax for marine VHF use would be somthing like RG58 50 ohm type.

The connecter you have linked (PL 259) is likely to fit both ends i.e Antenna end / Radio end, but is designed for RG213 which is much fatter than RG58 and you wont get it to fit up the inside of your mast.

 

[yachtorion]

if you buy something like a VTronix YHK antenna kit you will get the cable (RG58) and the plugs in the box, and a hawk wind indicator to clip on to it.

 

[cindersailor]

I can support Salty John's recommendation to use the RG8X cable. I replaced my antenna and cable this season with this stuff and I now regularly pick up Liverpool coastguard broadcasts from the Clyde, and even received one from Hollyhead wnen I was S of Arran last week. Never got anything other than Clyde and Belfast with my previous set up. The better quality cable really does make a difference, also presumably to TX as well as RX.

 

[Quandary]

Another vote for Salty Johns antennae and cable, I binned my V'tronix Hawk after only three years because of the poor and unreliable reception and on his recommendation pulled out and replaced the cable at the same time. I can now listen to Liverpool coastguard and Stornaway ( as well as Clyde, Belfast and Malin Head) at the same time when in the N. Channel this never happened with any of the boats and antennae I have used before.