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Coax between radio and amplifier

Triple 7's

Triple 7's

Member
Dec 2, 2020
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So I've searched quite a bit and cant seem to find a definitive answer. I've got a new amp on order that is run off of 220v. My radio bench is about 20 ft away from where my 220 plug is. Is a 20 ft run between radio and amp ok? Or is it best to carry the 220 to my bench?
I'm working in a small 2 car garage that houses 2 cars...15yrs of heavy equipment mechanics tools ect. Space is not on my side. And no selling my tool boxes to move my bench is not an option...thanks for any replies, yes I'm a new member....I dont use the internet much.
 

I had a feeling thatd be the case. I appreciate your reply. I've got an old 220 cord made up for my welder that will foot the bill for now. Eventually I'll probably run a new line and dedicated outlet. Sometimes I get lazy and in a hurry to hook up new toys. Best to do it right. Thanks!
73
 
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I have a 20+ foot run to the amp outside of my radio room and 20+ foot back to my radio room. I also have a garage radio that has a 40 foot run to my amp which is in the basement. I have absolutely ZERO issues what so ever. Now I'm sure someone is going comment with all sorts of math and numbers to support their dislike or disbelief but the fact remains....it works damn fine for me. Now mind you all of my coax is pure copper conductor lmr-400 and 240. 400 for the long runs and 240 for jumpers.
 
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Gotta love the timing of this thread. I literally just upgraded to a larger amplifier that requires 220v power and I only have it in the garage. I much prefer to radio from my comfortable man cave/office/radio room inside the house though. I am planning to install my amplifier in the garage and use it remotely. I was wondering about odd, multiple coax runs causing problems, but I'm going to give it a shot.

[Antenna] -> 100ish ft. LMR-600 -> [Meter pickup] -> 6 ft. jumper -> [Amplifier in garage] -> 50ish ft. LMR-600 -> [Coax switch in house] -> jumpers, various to radios

I hate to think about all of the signal loss with each connection, but at least my two long runs are LMR-600.

One of the cool things about the LP500/700 meters is the pickups connect to the meter via standard cat6 ethernet, so you can run it remotely very easily.
 
Yes it does. I run all lmr400 as well. I'll probably just do it right. I know that in the end i will do it that way anyway. I appreciate all of the feedback on this. Glad to hear it isnt a crazy idea and is working for some guys out there.
73
 
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Since I’m just now getting back into radio I can’t speak on the losses in rx power from that length of coax run. However, I can give advice on the 220v power run. I would first need to know how many amps the new amplifier draws at maximum. At 50’ you will have some loss in voltage but it may be negligible depending on the amperage draw and the gauge of wire used. I’ve also been reading about how important a constant regulated voltage and amperage carrying ability is to an amplifier. Just a few things you might want to check farther into before you decide which way to go.
 
Triple 7's said:
For me it's about 25ft run from box to my bench. I've got some 6ga wire left over from a hot water heater job I did. I believe that should foot the bill. The amp draw is 20 Amps or so.
Click to expand...
My mistake. I confused your run with the 50’ someone else commented on. At 25’ and only a 20a draw #12 would handle that. I personally would probably run #10 just in case of spikes. #6 will definitely handle that with about 50a to spare. lol
 
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My reference to coax was, rather than move my 220 plug 20ish feet, is it ok to run a 20 ft coax from radio to amp then out to the antenna.
I searched for the answer, but never found a real definite answer on if that was ok.

I've decided to go ahead and run a new line and outlet to my bench. Allowing me to keep the amp close to the radio. In all honesty when I posted it....it was cold out and I was being lazy. When I say cold I mean 60s hah. I'm in southern Arizona.
Thanks for all of the replies I appreciate each of them.
 
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Triple 7's said:
My reference to coax was, rather than move my 220 plug 20ish feet, is it ok to run a 20 ft coax from radio to amp then out to the antenna.
I searched for the answer, but never found a real definite answer on if that was ok.

I've decided to go ahead and run a new line and outlet to my bench. Allowing me to keep the amp close to the radio. In all honesty when I posted it....it was cold out and I was being lazy. When I say cold I mean 60s hah. I'm in southern Arizona.
Thanks for all of the replies I appreciate each of them.
Click to expand...

I had a 240 line ran to my shack from my breaker box as well as a new breaker for the rest of my shack.My ICOM PW-1 likes the 240 so I give it what it wants.It actually gets about 243 most of the time.FP&L is giving us plenty of Fire in our Wire.

SIX-SHOOTER
 

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