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T9B03

ANTENNAS AND FEED LINES · Feed lines: types, attenuation vs frequency, selecting; SWR concepts; Antenna tuners (couplers); RF Connectors: selecting, weather protection

T9B03T9B →

Why is coaxial cable the most common feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?

  1. AIt is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations
  2. BIt has less loss than any other type of feed line
  3. CIt can handle more power than any other type of feed line
  4. DIt is less expensive than any other type of feed line
Why Coax wins on convenience, not performance. Because the outer shield confines the RF field inside the cable, coax can be run alongside metal, through walls, taped to a tower leg, buried, or coiled up without upsetting its impedance or radiating, and standard connectors like PL-259 and Type N make hookup quick. Balanced open-wire line needs spacing from conductors, careful routing and usually a balun, so most hams accept coax's higher loss for the easy installation.
Watch out The low-loss claim is the trap: at the same impedance and size, open-wire or ladder line normally has less loss than coax (and is usually cheaper too), while large hardline or open-wire handles more power.
Coax is chosen for convenience, not for being lowest loss, highest power or cheapest.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of T9B

  1. T9B01 Which of the following connectors should be carefully taped for weather protection when used outdoors?
  2. T9B02 What is the most common impedance of coaxial cables used in amateur radio?
  3. T9B03 Why is coaxial cable the most common feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?
  4. T9B04 What is the major function of an antenna tuner (antenna coupler)?
  5. T9B05 What happens as the frequency of a signal in coaxial cable is increased?
  6. T9B06 Which of the following connector types is most suitable as an RF connector for frequencies above 400 MHz?
  7. T9B07 Which of the following is true of PL-259 type coax connectors?
  8. T9B08 Which of the following is a source of loss in coaxial feed line?
  9. T9B09 What can cause erratic changes in SWR?
  10. T9B10 What is the electrical difference between RG-58 and RG-213 coaxial cable?
  11. T9B11 Which of the following types of feed line has the lowest loss?
  12. T9B12 What is standing wave ratio (SWR)?
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