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difference between rg/8u vs. rg/8u type ????


The designation "RG-8/U" describes a particular type of coaxial cable that was once used extensively by the US military. It had to meet some very stringent quality requirements, and it was the best 50-ohm cable for applications up to 1 KW available for many years.

Now, however, the military uses RG-213/U (same size, same characteristic impedance but improved dielectric, tighter shielding, etc). RG-8 is no longer "MIL-SPEC" cable; ANYONE can make up a bunch of cable and call it "RG-8" with impunity. OR, they can call it "RG-8/U type", or just about anything else.

Buy name-brand coax from a reputable dealer (not a truck stop). Check out RG-213/U.
 
In the most generic sense...it means the fat coax vs the skinny stuff. 1/2" wide or whatever it is.

I use 213U for HF and 9913 for VHF/UHF or LMR400 if I can find it locally the latter will work for anything, but they are more expensive due to their lower loss rating.
 
Yes, the outside diameter of this type of coax is pretty standard at 0.405".

Don't forget, though, that RG-11 (75-ohm stuff) and many other varieties of coax are available with that same OD. Be sure of what you're using.
 
In the most generic sense...it means the fat coax vs the skinny stuff. 1/2" wide or whatever it is.

I use 213U for HF and 9913 for VHF/UHF or LMR400 if I can find it locally the latter will work for anything, but they are more expensive due to their lower loss rating.


the skinny coax is rg8x. ( "mini-8). It's commercial-hobbyist cable with no mil spec to guide it, so it varies a lot in construction and quality. But it's supposed to be .242" diameter with a #16 AWG stranded center conductor and a "foam" dielectric. It's usually very flexible.

RG8/U is a very old military specification for 52 Ohm coax. It's .405" in diameter with a #13 AWG center conductor and a solid polyethylene dielectric. As a "mil spec" product, it was discontinued 20 years ago; however as a "commercial" product, anybody can make and sell it and it doesn't have to meet any particular specification. RG8/U was replaced by RG213/U decades ago. There isn't a lot of difference, except RG213/U always has a stranded #13 AWG center conductor, at least 95% outer conductor (braid) coverage, and a Type IIA outer jacket material which is more UV-radiation tolerant than the old RG8/U product which was Type I and could degrade with exposure to the sun.
 
In the most generic sense...it means the fat coax vs the skinny stuff. 1/2" wide or whatever it is.

I use 213U for HF and 9913 for VHF/UHF or LMR400 if I can find it locally the latter will work for anything, but they are more expensive due to their lower loss rating.


why use rg213/u for hf and belden 9913 for vhf/uhf,rg213/u is a better mil spec cable than 9913,9913 is made to the old rg8/u spec which doesn't have noncontaminating vinyl pvc sheath.belden 8267 is belden's rg213/u mil spec equivalent.belden cables are decent quality cables as opposed to the no brand rg8/u and rg8/u type cables.

there is no difference between rg8/u and rg8/u type cables,both are crap copies of rg 213/u mil spec and prey on the buyers lack of knowledge in purchasing them believing they are still mil spec cables,the small word type should ring alarm bells,it tells you its fake.

rg8/u was replaced by rg 213/u mil spec years ago,the main difference being as hookedon6 rightly says rg 213/u mil spec has a type 11a noncontaminating vinyl sheath.

rg8x is just shit.

do yourself a favour if buying rg cables make sure they are proper mil spec made by recognised companies.you only get what you pay for.
 

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