Coaxial cable question: Which is better?

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 1:04 pm

I am interested in buying either Belden 9913, or the LMR-400 type cabling. Which of these two types is higher quality and should have lower cable loss?
-Josh

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 7:00 pm

Comparing the specs, the LMR400 is "better." Be careful, as some companies use different standards to rate their products. (GM says "dependability based on reliability"....what does this mean?)
I prefer LMR400 and have never had any performance problems.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 7:55 pm

Hi:

Since there may be many opinions, I would
recommend reviewing the following.

For 9913:

http://bwcecom.belden.com/college/Techpprs/tpflex.htm

For LM400

http://www.zcomax.com/htm/lmr400.htm

=====================================
Both cables will give good performace, but
I think the 9913 would be easier to work with
and would be suitable with a wide range of
connectors.

MS

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Mon Oct 15, 2001 9:37 pm

If your gonna work the Amateur bands..my preference is 9913Belden..Alot of the ATV Amateurs like LMR.. 9913 is almost a buck a foot now! I don't know what LMR is price wise? I use 9913 my SWR for 2meters, 220Mhz & 70cm is Flat 1:1 And a good deal of repeaters, here I see them use Andrews half-inch hardline. At almost $3.39 a foot...Flexible 9913, (nice links Monty,) 10 years ago..the 9913 I bought you really did not want to bend it! It pays to do the research.....73's Ed

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: radioEd on 2001-10-16 01:40 ]</font>

EngineerZ · Post by **EngineerZ** » Tue Oct 16, 2001 5:25 am

I was a fan of 9913 until I discovered LMR400. Both are pretty comparable at HF and even VHF freqs, but LMR400 performs a lot better at UHF and higher. In most cases LMR400 is cheaper to boot. But the reason I really like LMR400 better is that the helical construction of 9913 makes me nervous it's going to get bent too far. Obviously you have to watch your bend radius with LMR400 as well, but its solid-foam construction makes it less prone to damage from bending.

And btw, if you are going to put a high profile repater on the air, buy the biggest Andrew or Cablewave hardline you can afford.

--z

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Oct 16, 2001 12:11 pm

I just bought LMR500 from Tessco and it was less than a buck a foot.

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 11:51 am

Less than a buck a foot for LMR? thats not bad! I just happen to like 9913! As for EngineerZ comments on using the Best, & biggest Andrews hardline for a repeater..do the math 60 foot x $3.39 a foot =$203.40 (and that for half-inch dia') without tax. EngineerZ is correct on his reply! All depends on what your gonna use it for?

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Oct 17, 2001 1:48 pm

Just got some more LMR600, 1/2", and it is $1.11 per foot at my supplier. LMR400 about $.60/ft. a good all arround cable.
I use genuine Times cable. The LMR400 is a much better cable than the often copied 9913 type cables, especially at UHF frequencies, much better shielding, crush and weather resistance. I perfer the Times connectors because they are way much better than the other mfg's connectors mechanically and RF /VSWR -- and are easier to install.
It is much better to put in good cable the first time than to have to go back and change it out. I have seen a whole lot of different coaxial cable types and mfg's, from 30 to 1200mhz, in the last thirty years in the business. And I stick with Times for the flexible and Andrew for the rigid cables.

Reslock · Post by **Reslock** » Sat Oct 20, 2001 6:30 pm

The LMR600 is a great cable. As for constant velocity, Times has some of the best luck with their LMR series. I used LMR600 for my VHF 2m band and it is great. The connectors are easy to install and it is relatively easy to work with considering its size. It is a hefty workhorse of a cable, but if you want the best and you don't want to deal with replacing it before you pass on, the LMR is perfect.
RL