Construction, Connector, and Continuity

Construction: Select the proper cable for your installation and application, noting the resistance measured in ohms.  Choose the proper length cable for your installation, and the proper cable characteristics.  For example, if you want to bury your cable in the ground, pick one that has those qualities.  

Click here for a list of typical applications, and which cable is called for.

Click here for Coax Cable Signal Loss (Attenuation) in dB.

Connector: Choose the correct connector for your antenna and radio.

Click here for John Carr's Radio Tech Notes on Installing Coaxial Connectors -

Continuity: Test your cable before installing it, save yourself a headache early in the game.

Basic of Coaxial (Coax) Cable Construction

All coaxial cable is pretty much constructed similarly.  There is an outer jacket usually constructed of PVC or a similar material, the outer braid is usually copper, but sometimes aluminum is used, the center insulation, and the center conductor.

Davis RF RR9914 BuryFlex (Left) - and RG-213U (Right)

Notice the difference in the outer shield, the cable on the left has greater shielding for longer cable runs.  Although direct bury cable, and cable with extra shielding qualities cost a little more, RG-213U or RG-8x are more economical solutions for most installations.

Installing your UHF Connector (PL-259) Illustrated!

Click here for John Carr's Radio Tech Notes on Installing Coaxial Connectors - Adobe Acrobat .PDF format.

It's really easy to install connectors, although Patience is an important factor with installing connectors it is not included in the purchase price.  After installing a few connectors you will be a PRO!

Your finished solder connection should look like the picture above.  Use the proper wattage soldering "GUN", notice I say gun, because more "Pencil" type soldering irons do not produce enough heat to properly heat the braid and center conductor while soldering.

Testing your Cable for Shorts/Open Wires

It is relatively easy to test the continuity of your cable with a simple VOM (volt-ohm-meter).  First apply your leads to the center conductor, and the shield braid on your cable (as shown in figure A).  If it doesn't indicate a "Short" you're GTG (Good-To-Go).

Next apply the leads of your VOM to the center conductor of the cable (as shown in figure B), if it doesn't indicate a "OPEN" then your GTG (Good-To-Go).  You may want to test the braid of your cable in this manner also, it will determine if you cable may be defective or have a broken conductor, rendering it useless.