Types of Coax Cable and Line Loss

 

  • Belden
    • Belden 8215    (RG-6A)
    • Belden 8237    (RG-8)
    • Belden 9913    (RG-8)
    • Belden 9258    (RG-8X)
    • Belden 8213    (RG-11)
    • Belden 8261    (RG-11A)
    • Belden 8240    (RG-58)
    • Belden 9201    (RG-58)
    • Belden 8219    (RG-58A)
    • Belden 8259    (RG-58C)
    • Belden 8212    (RG-59)
    • Belden 8263    (RG-59B)
    • Belden 9269    (RG-62A)
    • Belden 83241   (RG-141A)
    • Belden 8216    (RG-174)
    • Belden 8267    (RG-213)
    • Belden 9913F7   
    • Belden 7810A   
    • Belden 7808A   

  • Davis RF
    • Davis RF Bury-Flex

  • Times Microwave Systems
    • TMS LMR-100A
    • TMS LMR-200
    • TMS LMR-240
    • TMS LMR-400
    • TMS LMR-600
    • TMS LMR-900

  • Wireman (coax)
    • Wireman CQ102    (RG-8)
    • Wireman CQ106    (RG-8)
    • Wireman CQ125    (RG-58)
    • Wireman CQ127    (RG-58C)
    • Wireman CQ110    (RG-213)

  • Radio Shack
    • Tandy Cable RG-8X
    • Tandy Cable RG-58
    • Tandy Cable RG-59

  • Andrew
    • Andrew Heliax LDF4-50A
    • Andrew Heliax LDF5-50A
    • Andrew Heliax LDF6-50A

  • Wireman (ladder line)
    • Wireman 551 Ladder Line
    • Wireman 552 Ladder Line
    • Wireman 553 Ladder Line
    • Wireman 554 Ladder Line
    • Wireman 551 (wet)
    • Wireman 552 (wet)
    • Wireman 553 (wet)
    • Wireman 554 (wet)

  • Miscellaneous
    • Generic 300 ohm Tubular
    • Generic 450 ohm Window
    • Generic 600 ohm Open
    • Ideal (lossless) 50 ohm
    • Ideal (lossless) 75 ohm
The "wet" numbers represent worst case for lines covered with ice or snow.



Here's a quick line loss calculator to use  Note that the simple program used for this web page gives a very close approximation for additional losses due to SWR. 
Set Parameters as Desired
Line Type:
Line Length: Feet Meters
Frequency:  MHz
Load SWR:  : 1
Power In:  W
Results
Matched Loss:  dB
SWR Loss:  dB
Total Loss:  dB
Power Out:  W

Coax Cable Loss / Antenna Gain Calculator

 

Enter dB Loss Of Cable Per 100 Ft. At The Desired Operating Frequency

Enter Length of Cable in Feet

Enter Power into Cable in Watts

Enter Gain of Antenna in dBd

This program is provided "as-is". It is thought to be accurate but it is the responsibility of the user to verify the accuracy of the calculations when using this program.  

 

 

Formulas To Design Your Own Dipoles And Inverted Vees

 

INTRODUCTION-The longwire antenna is a very effective antenna for the listener who wants to cover all of the shortwave bands from 530 KHZ to 30 MHZ. However if you have some favourite frequencies that you listen to on a regular basis you may wish to consider a dipole antenna. This antenna is a fairly easy to construct antenna and will give you better reception on the frequency it is cut for. Think of a dipole as a longwire that has a insulator in the middle.

FREQUENCY-A dipole antenna will not only work well on the frequency it is cut for, but also for the multiples of that frequency. For example if you cut a dipole for 7.0 Mhz will also work well on 14 Mhz, 21 Mhz and 28 Mhz. This way if you can pick and choose your frequency you can make one antenna work on two or three bands.

LENGTH- To find out how long the antenna should be all you have to do is fill in a simple formula:

468 divided by FREQUENCY IN MHZ  = LENGTH IN FEET
300 divided by FREQUENCY IN MHZ  = LENGTH IN METERS (wavelength) 

168 divided by FREQUENCY IN MHZ =  DIPOLE LENGTH
(with end effect calculated in) 

That is the only formula you need ever know to build a dipole antenna.

This page uses the standard formula, 468 / f MHz to calculate dipole lengths. You may change this number if you know of a better number to use as your starting point.



Enter the formula for the antenna calculation

Divided by Freq MHz

Percent smaller for the Inverted Vee



Your dipole's total length is feet or meters
Each leg of the dipole is feet or meters

Your Inverted Vee's total length is feet or meters
Each leg of the Inverted Vee is feet or meters