ICQPodcast Episode 321 In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Leslie Butterfield G0CIB, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, Dan Romanchik KB6NU and Ruth Willet KM4LAO to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is - Why Coax Fails ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS We would like to thank Dean Sproull (VE5SPR) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate News stories include: - Scientists Create Quantum Sensor that Covers Entire Radio Frequency Spectrum It’s Time for Remote Amateur Radio License Exams WIA Board Comment Need a new hobby? Try amateur radio! Fair Lawn Amateur Radio Club Begins Daily Health & Welfare Broadcasts Errata to 2020-2024 Amateur Extra-Class Question Pool Released Hamvention Names 2020 Award Winners EU to Impose VAT on Low Value Parcels Ofcom Awards Six New Community Radio Licences The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com
It's rare that a ham will see an actual FAILURE of typical (ham use) coax. More likely, water vapor gets into the jacket and or inner line and oxidizes the copper and/or degrades the dielectric. This oxidation leads to ohmic loss. If you put the coax on a VNA you will see it has substantially higher 'insertion loss' on its length. A good rule of thumb is to replace your coax every 5 years, if buried underground. I rarely obey that:-(
Insufficient sealing at the ends. Animals that like to chew on it. Lawnmowers. Most of us will not be putting in enough power to damage coax.
Rodents ! forgetting to seal with tape is a good way to turn your cable into garden hose ! Getting some one very upset on 80# meters ! there are many other ways to damage your cable I am sure ! Hi Hi 73 all stay safe & remember April fools day is just around the corner !
Why====WATER more than 99% of the time. From Cuts, nicks, (from poor install, rodents or holes shot in it), & number one, is from not taping and sealing connectors properly. Less than 1% = lightning damage
When do they actually talk about coax? I listened to this for 45 minutes and heard nothing but codswallop and blather. Got tired of it and lost interest.
My coax problem was from a Squirrel that climbed my 55' tower to bark and chew on two cables at the top. I have pictures... Bill, WB6JJJ
Guys, If you find these wacky photo collages FUNNY, then please post a 'like'. Its not an ego thing for me. I just need the feedback to justify the time it takes to pull them together. I am not doing them for MY health; I am doing them for YOUR health OK? 73... and stay happy to stay healthy! Chip W1YW
Bill, you have an SWR issue: a squirrel-to-wire problem! Tommy Martin of AmateurLogic.tv has one too...
Had coax fail on me...HF antenna in the mobile...one end sealed well at the connector, other end inside the truck! Could not resonate the antenna...cut the cable every foot and found water damage 1/2 way down the length..about 7 feet in....replaced with a made up section of RG8 and its all good. Still don't know how the water got in
