I need another 10' to raise the antenna 10'. are the barrels ok? I could put the extension inside the mast as it's a sirio starduster. Or just buy a longer coax? It's the mini 8 and I have a 300a amp. I am leaning toward longer piece of coax. But what is a good coax? I've been out of radio for 40 years or so.
-
You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
Base Coax extension or a longer piece?
- Thread starter Tweetybird
- Start date
A barrel will work, but when running amps, I prefer to have a single run of RG8. But that's just me...
Barrel connector is fine but weatherproof it well.
I never hesitate using them. My OCD wants a single run, but my laziness accepts barrels and other adapters. I wish I could find the video where this engineer dude put about 20 different adapters together. It was ridiculous looking, but he was able to show negligible loss. His only recommendations was to use decent quality stuff that is clean.
The barrels should be fine. Like the other posters said, clean the connections before assembly, & waterproof them really well.
Whenever I use a barrel connector to extend a coax I always connect a 50ohm dummy load to the antenna end of the coax and check the SWR of the coax itself. Should be close to 1:1
- 399
Whenever I use a barrel connector to extend a coax I always connect a 50ohm dummy load to the antenna end of the coax and check the SWR of the coax itself. Should be close to 1:1
- 399
The barrel connector should be fine. Try to put it on the radio end if that will keep it out of the weather. Inside of the mast should be ok for the starduster installation too.
Oh no, extending will never do. Package up your cables and send to me, then buy new right length cable. HAHAHA
As stated, clean and waterproofed connections.
As stated, clean and waterproofed connections.
As long as you don"t run much power. Had more then a few melt over the years.
How much is too much? I run 600w through mine, maybe I should check them?
SM, if you check out Mustang 131 on YouTube you'll see he uses a big hootenater to help get his name called.
He probably tried using a barrel connector to see what happens, and since he did it many times...he was either not convinced or he just liked to see sparks fly.
Just my opinion!
Last edited:
If you use good quality connectors such as Amphenol you should not have a problem unless you run several kilowatts. Most of the cheaper connectors have a loose sloppy fit and that will cause arcing and will eventually burn up the connector. I know guys that run 1500-2000 watts on the ham bands with barrel connectors without any issue.
You don't need much on AM. A small mismatch and 1500W pep. Touch the barrel..bet its warm.