Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-18 Thread Bob Dengler

At 1/17/2005 10:10 AM, you wrote:

>At 12:59 PM 1/17/2005 -0500, you wrote:
> >
> >Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.
>
><---I've had very good results using LMR-400 on a relatively low power (<
>30) full-duplex UHF link. I just happen to have had a 100' roll of the
>stuff and figured I'd try it, even with all the caveats about doing so.
>
>This is one of those topics that seems to be a "your mileage may vary", as
>I know people who have had all sorts of grief using LMR types in full
>-duplex service, while others (like myself) have done fine with it.
>
>Since you have it, try it! If it works out, you're all set. If not, you can
>always replace it!
>
>Ken

There seems to be a lot of varied experience with this type of cable.  I've 
tried 9913 on a duplexer UHF repeater before & had the same noisy 
experience you had Derek.  OTOH I have a 40' roll of LMR400 that I use on 
my 2 meter portapeater & it works just fine.

A lot may have to do with what connectors are used & how they're 
installed.  If the shield RF is kept on the inside of the foil, it will 
never get to the foil/braid interface, where the staticy desense is likely 
occurring.  But this also means that the performance will be dependent upon 
how well the antenna at the end of the feedline is decoupled from the 
coax.  If there is any RF current flow down the outside of the coax from 
the antenna, you're in trouble no matter what.  Silver-plated braided coax 
& hardline don't have these issues since the shield material is uniform.

Bob NO6B


>--
>President and CTO - Arcom Communications
>Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories.
>http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html
>We now offer complete Kenwood TKR repeater packages!
>AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000
>http://www.irlp.net
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>






 
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Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread hwstar


No offense intended. The guy had the cable so he had nothing to lose other than 
his time to try it out.

Steve
WA6ZFT

> 
> From: "Chuck Kelsey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: 2005/01/17 Mon PM 03:02:45 EST
> To: 
> Subject: Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> 
> 
> I didn't think that the answer was short and terse. If one has the coax 
> already and is going to try it on a low profile site, that's one thing. 
> However, I hate to see someone go out and buy new LMR-XXX cable only to 
> discover that they should have spent their money on something a bit better 
> for not that much more money.
> 
> Can you get away running LMR or 9913 type cable on a repeater? Maybe. Just 
> don't be too disappointed if you find it doesn't work well.
> 
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
> 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 1:05 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> 
> 
> >
> >
> > The short, terse answers to these types of questions should be ignored, 
> > and you should try it out yourself. If it works, great! If you have 
> > problems, get rid of it and try something else.  This is what makes ham 
> > radio fun.
> >
> > Steve
> > WA6ZFT
> >
> >
> >>
> >> From: "John J. Riddell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >> Date: 2005/01/17 Mon PM 12:59:29 EST
> >> To: 
> >> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> >>
> >>
> >> Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.
> >>
> >> Pick up some Andrews Heliax.
> >>
> >> John VE3AMZ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 





 
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Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread Chuck Kelsey

I didn't think that the answer was short and terse. If one has the coax 
already and is going to try it on a low profile site, that's one thing. 
However, I hate to see someone go out and buy new LMR-XXX cable only to 
discover that they should have spent their money on something a bit better 
for not that much more money.

Can you get away running LMR or 9913 type cable on a repeater? Maybe. Just 
don't be too disappointed if you find it doesn't work well.

Chuck
WB2EDV



- Original Message - 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?


>
>
> The short, terse answers to these types of questions should be ignored, 
> and you should try it out yourself. If it works, great! If you have 
> problems, get rid of it and try something else.  This is what makes ham 
> radio fun.
>
> Steve
> WA6ZFT
>
>
>>
>> From: "John J. Riddell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Date: 2005/01/17 Mon PM 12:59:29 EST
>> To: 
>> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
>>
>>
>> Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.
>>
>> Pick up some Andrews Heliax.
>>
>> John VE3AMZ






 
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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread Jim B.


>>Hello Group,
>>I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
>>99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
>>and the duplex noise it presents when used on the output of the 
>>duplexer to the antenna.  I have tried to stay away from this since I 
>>got serious about higher powered ( > 110 watt) transmitters used for 
>>duplex service.
>>
>>I recently ran across a pile of LMR-400 "DB" I believe it's called, 
>>it has a sticky substance throughout and is said to be water tight.
>>
>>I used a 90 foot piece of this cable on a VHF repeater running ~ 80 
>>watts out of the duplexer and feeding a very reliable, "duplex noise 
>>free" antenna on the tower.
>>
>>I couldn't believe the duplex noise I get from somewhere, and I am 
>>thinking it's the cable itself.  When injecting a signal through a 
>>directional coupler, I am receiving ~ 0.25 uV for 20 dB SINAD while 
>>running full power.  But each time I even think about touching the 
>>feedline, a ton of noise occurs (better than 30 dB of duplex noise).  
>>I have tried both crimp on and compression N-type connectors but no 
>>difference.
>>
>>The duplexer is a new Wacom with 214 interconnect cables.  
>>
>>Can this LMR-400 really be the cause of noise this bad?  There are 
>>two pagers (152.480 and 158.700) about 1/2 mile from the site.  No 
>>other transmitters besides a few UHF repeaters.  Everything at the 
>>site has an isolator on the transmitter output, including my 2M 
>>repeater.  Something is arc'ing somewhere.  Any suggestions besides 
>>changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
>>inch Heliax or hardline without braid?
>>
>>Thanks, KC4FWC
>>Derek.

The fact that it comes up or changes when you touch the feedline answers 
that the problem is the feedline, or a connector. You will almost 
assuredly have to replace the feedline.
And btw, there's no such thing as hardline *with* braid, as what makes 
it hardline is that it has a solid metal outer sheild, so a braid would 
have no effect.

-- 
Jim Barbour
WD8CHL





 
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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread Kevin Custer

derek_mcintyre wrote:

>I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
>99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
>and the duplex noise it presents..snip..
>
>Any suggestions besides 
>changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
>inch Heliax or hardline without braid?
>

Try the repeater on a good dummy load.  If the repeater works okay 
there, replace the feeder with something else, like Andrew LDF-4-50-A 
heliax.
Let the list know your results as many still believe there is no harm in 
running LMR cable for duplex services.

Kevin Custer





 
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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread hwstar


I'd be willing to bet your noise problem is site related and has nothing to do 
with the feedline. Rusty wires and rusty metal can cause micro-arcing just like 
the shield/braid problem in the LMR400 cable, especially in windy conditions. 
The problem is your options are limited in trying to find and fix these noise 
sources. 

With the system being noisy and you physical present at the site, cap off the 
feed line at the antenna with a dummy load
and check for noise. If there's still noise, It could be the feedline, duplexer 
or a repeater TX problem.

If the dummy load trick eliminates the noise, Try using a separate antenna for 
RX and TX, and run them into the cans without the "T" connector. If you can get 
some decent vertical separation > (40ft.) , this might be worth a try. This 
will provide more isolation from locally generated noise.

Steve
WA6ZFT


> 
> From: "derek_mcintyre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: 2005/01/17 Mon PM 12:40:14 EST
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Group,
> I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
> 99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
> and the duplex noise it presents when used on the output of the 
> duplexer to the antenna.  I have tried to stay away from this since I 
> got serious about higher powered ( > 110 watt) transmitters used for 
> duplex service.
> 
> I recently ran across a pile of LMR-400 "DB" I believe it's called, 
> it has a sticky substance throughout and is said to be water tight.
> 
> I used a 90 foot piece of this cable on a VHF repeater running ~ 80 
> watts out of the duplexer and feeding a very reliable, "duplex noise 
> free" antenna on the tower.
> 
> I couldn't believe the duplex noise I get from somewhere, and I am 
> thinking it's the cable itself.  When injecting a signal through a 
> directional coupler, I am receiving ~ 0.25 uV for 20 dB SINAD while 
> running full power.  But each time I even think about touching the 
> feedline, a ton of noise occurs (better than 30 dB of duplex noise).  
> I have tried both crimp on and compression N-type connectors but no 
> difference.
> 
> The duplexer is a new Wacom with 214 interconnect cables.  
> 
> Can this LMR-400 really be the cause of noise this bad?  There are 
> two pagers (152.480 and 158.700) about 1/2 mile from the site.  No 
> other transmitters besides a few UHF repeaters.  Everything at the 
> site has an isolator on the transmitter output, including my 2M 
> repeater.  Something is arc'ing somewhere.  Any suggestions besides 
> changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
> inch Heliax or hardline without braid?
> 
> Thanks, KC4FWC
> Derek.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 





 
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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread Ken Arck

At 12:59 PM 1/17/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.

<---I've had very good results using LMR-400 on a relatively low power (<
30) full-duplex UHF link. I just happen to have had a 100' roll of the
stuff and figured I'd try it, even with all the caveats about doing so. 

This is one of those topics that seems to be a "your mileage may vary", as
I know people who have had all sorts of grief using LMR types in full
-duplex service, while others (like myself) have done fine with it. 

Since you have it, try it! If it works out, you're all set. If not, you can
always replace it!

Ken
--
President and CTO - Arcom Communications
Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories.
http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html
We now offer complete Kenwood TKR repeater packages!
AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000
http://www.irlp.net




 
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Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread hwstar


The short, terse answers to these types of questions should be ignored, and you 
should try it out yourself. If it works, great! If you have problems, get rid 
of it and try something else.  This is what makes ham radio fun. 

Steve 
WA6ZFT


> 
> From: "John J. Riddell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: 2005/01/17 Mon PM 12:59:29 EST
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> 
> 
> Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.
> 
> Pick up some Andrews Heliax.
> 
> John VE3AMZ
> - Original Message - 
> From: "derek_mcintyre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 12:40 PM
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?
> 
> 
> > 
> > 
> > Hello Group,
> > I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
> > 99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
> > and the duplex noise it presents when used on the output of the 
> > duplexer to the antenna.  I have tried to stay away from this since I 
> > got serious about higher powered ( > 110 watt) transmitters used for 
> > duplex service.
> > 
> > I recently ran across a pile of LMR-400 "DB" I believe it's called, 
> > it has a sticky substance throughout and is said to be water tight.
> > 
> > I used a 90 foot piece of this cable on a VHF repeater running ~ 80 
> > watts out of the duplexer and feeding a very reliable, "duplex noise 
> > free" antenna on the tower.
> > 
> > I couldn't believe the duplex noise I get from somewhere, and I am 
> > thinking it's the cable itself.  When injecting a signal through a 
> > directional coupler, I am receiving ~ 0.25 uV for 20 dB SINAD while 
> > running full power.  But each time I even think about touching the 
> > feedline, a ton of noise occurs (better than 30 dB of duplex noise).  
> > I have tried both crimp on and compression N-type connectors but no 
> > difference.
> > 
> > The duplexer is a new Wacom with 214 interconnect cables.  
> > 
> > Can this LMR-400 really be the cause of noise this bad?  There are 
> > two pagers (152.480 and 158.700) about 1/2 mile from the site.  No 
> > other transmitters besides a few UHF repeaters.  Everything at the 
> > site has an isolator on the transmitter output, including my 2M 
> > repeater.  Something is arc'ing somewhere.  Any suggestions besides 
> > changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
> > inch Heliax or hardline without braid?
> > 
> > Thanks, KC4FWC
> > Derek.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 





 
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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread John J. Riddell

Derek,  Give the LMR-400 to someone who is not running Duplex.

Pick up some Andrews Heliax.

John VE3AMZ
- Original Message - 
From: "derek_mcintyre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?


> 
> 
> Hello Group,
> I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
> 99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
> and the duplex noise it presents when used on the output of the 
> duplexer to the antenna.  I have tried to stay away from this since I 
> got serious about higher powered ( > 110 watt) transmitters used for 
> duplex service.
> 
> I recently ran across a pile of LMR-400 "DB" I believe it's called, 
> it has a sticky substance throughout and is said to be water tight.
> 
> I used a 90 foot piece of this cable on a VHF repeater running ~ 80 
> watts out of the duplexer and feeding a very reliable, "duplex noise 
> free" antenna on the tower.
> 
> I couldn't believe the duplex noise I get from somewhere, and I am 
> thinking it's the cable itself.  When injecting a signal through a 
> directional coupler, I am receiving ~ 0.25 uV for 20 dB SINAD while 
> running full power.  But each time I even think about touching the 
> feedline, a ton of noise occurs (better than 30 dB of duplex noise).  
> I have tried both crimp on and compression N-type connectors but no 
> difference.
> 
> The duplexer is a new Wacom with 214 interconnect cables.  
> 
> Can this LMR-400 really be the cause of noise this bad?  There are 
> two pagers (152.480 and 158.700) about 1/2 mile from the site.  No 
> other transmitters besides a few UHF repeaters.  Everything at the 
> site has an isolator on the transmitter output, including my 2M 
> repeater.  Something is arc'ing somewhere.  Any suggestions besides 
> changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
> inch Heliax or hardline without braid?
> 
> Thanks, KC4FWC
> Derek.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 




 
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[Repeater-Builder] Duplex noise/LMR-400 w/sticky stuff?

2005-01-17 Thread derek_mcintyre


Hello Group,
I have read the messages and heard the debates about using LMR-400 or 
99/13 type cables with aluminum foil mixed with tinned copper braid, 
and the duplex noise it presents when used on the output of the 
duplexer to the antenna.  I have tried to stay away from this since I 
got serious about higher powered ( > 110 watt) transmitters used for 
duplex service.

I recently ran across a pile of LMR-400 "DB" I believe it's called, 
it has a sticky substance throughout and is said to be water tight.

I used a 90 foot piece of this cable on a VHF repeater running ~ 80 
watts out of the duplexer and feeding a very reliable, "duplex noise 
free" antenna on the tower.

I couldn't believe the duplex noise I get from somewhere, and I am 
thinking it's the cable itself.  When injecting a signal through a 
directional coupler, I am receiving ~ 0.25 uV for 20 dB SINAD while 
running full power.  But each time I even think about touching the 
feedline, a ton of noise occurs (better than 30 dB of duplex noise).  
I have tried both crimp on and compression N-type connectors but no 
difference.

The duplexer is a new Wacom with 214 interconnect cables.  

Can this LMR-400 really be the cause of noise this bad?  There are 
two pagers (152.480 and 158.700) about 1/2 mile from the site.  No 
other transmitters besides a few UHF repeaters.  Everything at the 
site has an isolator on the transmitter output, including my 2M 
repeater.  Something is arc'ing somewhere.  Any suggestions besides 
changing the entire feedline to something more reliable, such as 1/2 
inch Heliax or hardline without braid?

Thanks, KC4FWC
Derek.







 
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