Best length of coax for cb. I want the absolute least amount of loss.
Best length of coax for cb. Does This Also Apply to Ham Radio? The 18 feet length is a myth. Now before everyone gets wild and starts picking sides my main question is what equation is used to figure coax length. Selecting Co-axial for mobile radios has become problematic as more dealers offered a broad range of cables. com Jun 27, 2010 · I drive a big truck and have found that an 18 foot piece of coax works best for me I have tried shorter coax but could get my swr down where I wanted it. Jul 12, 2016 · The long length of coax will have more insertion loss than a say usual 100 feet run of coax. They have argued with us on many occasions regarding this matter. Just go to commscope. Aug 18, 2025 · Discover the best cable coaxial CB and coaxial cable for ham radio. So, what's the best coax and where should I Oct 22, 2024 · With CB Radio, I Was Told to Feed My with Multiples of a Half-Wavelength—18 feet for CB. So an electrical half wave length for CB is actually 36ft x 0. Below, you'll discover our top picks for the best coaxial cable for CB radio and additional helpful info on how to choose the right cable for your CB system. Coax Length This page puts the common misconceptions to rest about coax length ! Here are some viewpoints on Coax length, from people that know more about it than I do There is a misconception among CB operators that changing the length of your coax can "tune" your antenna system. Jun 11, 2011 · I'm going to be using a fatboy 450- 2x2879 with my general lee and Wilson 1000 and need to use a 6 foot jumper between the amp and radio If the amp is presenting a 50 ohm load at the input you can run any length of coax and it will present 50 ohms to the radio. Many "experts" (including some who legitimately are experts) recommend an 18-foot coaxial cable to optimize signal, because it is one half the length of a CB radio wave (which is 36 feet long). How did the concept of a See full list on rightchannelradios. If it does it means your coax is forming part of the antenna system and that's a bad thing unless you're using an antenna specifically designed to. I'm in the process of turning current system on my cb in the semi from a single to dual antenna and i want to figure Sep 18, 2009 · The length of the coax is determined by the length of the radio wave and the frequency of our radio signal. com and you'll see their line of coaxs. Dec 1, 2021 · When you have two supposedly 50 ohm CB antennas and two 50 ohm coaxes that then are connected in parallel, you would need some sort of match to the 50 ohm CB radio and that can be done by using a very specific length of coax to the CB radio. This is absolutely untrue! This short discussion will detail why. But the increased antenna visibility and gain will more that make up for the added coax loss. It is considered a major factor in the performance of your entire system. You can use any length of coax you want and it shouldn't affect the SWR. This is ideal for most applications, offering the combination of convenience, value for money, and performance. These cables connect your radio to the antenna, allowing signals to be transmitted and received. Mar 1, 2014 · I have lost count of the number well meaning, but misinformed individuals that have offered advice pertaining to the correct length of coaxial cable in a CB radio installation, and promising dire consequences if the cable were other than 18 feet in length. 6 to . Discover the key features and factors to consider when choosing the ideal coaxial cable length for your CB radio system. It says: “This is a testy subject with many engineering types. . The next question is. 185 occasionally (about 50%) and 27. What coax should I use The length limit really depends on how much you are willing to spend on coax. So my question is, if I wish to put a Is it true that coax needs to be 18 feet - or multiples of 18 feet for your CB Radio? I'm going to address the myth about specific lengths of coax that some CB operators believe will magically Oct 18, 2012 · Commscope or Andrew will give you all the specs for both their LMR400 type coax which is CNT400, and the LDF4-50A and larger coax. 66 or 36ft x 0. In most instances, the recommended CB coax cable length is 18 feet. The only problem is that electrically it isn't. Dec 17, 2010 · Which is the best coax, the RG-58A/U or the RG8X (Mini 8)? I also need to know what would be the best length to use from the radio to a single antenna setup for mobile use in a Peterbilt rig? The cables commonly used for CB applications have a VF range from about . Nov 6, 2005 · Best coax length for a 102"SS whip. 385 LSB (the other 50%) I know the rule of thumb is 18' , but I am also a firm believer that the rule of thumb is for busting lol Sep 28, 2013 · By making the length of coax 1/2 wave length at CB frequencies an SWR meter placed at the radio end would give a correct indication of the match between the coax and the antenna. A full cb radio wave length is 36 feet, so ½ a wavelength is 18 foot. Jun 22, 2009 · OK, I've always been told that the proper length for CB coax should be done in 3' increments, with the optimal length being 18'. Get expert insights on impedance, velocity of propagation, and cable lengths. 3 Free Download (uses Microsoft Excel) Updated 11th January 2019. Good quality coaxial cables ensure clear communication over long distances, making them a key component in reliable CB radio systems. After doing some research online, I decided to invest in the Wilson 305-830 coax cable. My answer to you would be to buy the length of coax you can make work for your set up. May 19, 2024 · Finding the best length of coax for CB can significantly enhance your communication range and signal clarity, ensuring you stay connected on the road or during your outdoor adventures. Compare CB radio coax cables, CB antenna cables, and find the right connectors for your setup. The velocity factor of 50 Ohm coax is typically 66 or 85. Mar 22, 2021 · CB Coax Cable is to do two things: To take received a signal from antenna towards radio, and to transfer the signal from radio towards the antenna. It might be about half wavelength in free space at CB frequencies but that does not take the velocity factor of the coax into This means that 90% of our signal power makes it through the cable. For receiving antennas, you can use a band pass filter and low noise amplifier at the antenna and get away with much more loss in the coax. I've heard that if you cut your coax in lengths shorter than 18', setting your SWR's would be at best difficult if not impossible. You can get a little more technical info about coaxial cable loss from this article on question T9B05. This is why it is very very important for you to get the best in quality Coax cable for your CB radio/antenna. This allows the center wire of the coax to remain isolated from the outer ground. The following can be found on the XXXXX FAQ concerning coaxial cable length. I run 27. I know a little bit about radios, and have read internet forums re: the great debate about the coaxial cable length. The length of Coaxial Length Calculator Version 5. 85. You can use the Times Microwave System calculator to try out different combinations of cable length, cable style and operating frequency. What is the correct length of coax to use between your transmitter and aerial at VHF, UHF and Microwave bands, or should there be a correct length? Some say it does not matter and any random length will do as long as it reaches where it needs to go. CB coax cable is necessary to connect your antenna to your radio. The length of coax to used to "repeat" the SWR of a non-resonant antenna (other than 50 ohm match to your system) at the other end would be 1/2 wave multiple length coax. I want the absolute best! I'm only running about 27 feet from radio to antenna, with an inline Polyphaser. Aug 31, 2025 · CB radio coaxial cables are essential for anyone using a CB radio setup. COAX cable plays an important part in radio communication system. 8 or there abouts. The coax doesn't actually connect directly to your antenna, but rather to the antenna mount. Mar 8, 2021 · Watched an interesting video about coax jumper lengths ect. Top CB Coax Cable in 2023 by Editors' Picks May 18, 2016 · What is the absolute best coax for my base station running on 4 watts to A99 with Ground Plane Kit. How did the concept of a Jan 11, 2019 · Best CB Coax Cable Review If you involuntarily make a poor choice, not only your cable will suffer, your CB radio won’t operate. If it's not you're better off cutting the coax at 1/2 wave-length. You can do this. When choosing a CB radio coaxial cable, there are several factors to consider. The argument is that it's a half wavelength. Discover the different grades of RG-8/U coax cables, their specifications, and how to choose the right one for your needs. I want the absolute least amount of loss. Coax has a velocity factor that affects how long electrically a physical length of wire appears to RF. runguztqk spt u6 1lx0j wjf zrfprp sawkuef ly pfrc ryk