i am running the solid center conductor LMR400, and let me tell you; it is STIFF!!!
this stuff is no joke. bend it in a U shape, and it STAYS bent.
i am running the newer astroplane copy called the CTE "top one".
it is the same as the old avanti astroplane.
the new antenna being sold today that is being called the astroplane is NOT the same as the old ones at all.
i wouldnt bother with that antenna.
sad to say, but you cant buy an original design astroplane type antenna new anymore.
you will have to do like i did and watch the used market for months and months looking for someone selling one.
something to keep in mind as you are working with your new coax:
the coaxial cable we use for CB radios is 50 ohms.
what makes it 50 ohms?
its the space between the shield braid and the center conductor (among other factors) that gives our coax its 50 ohm impedance.
so you can see how, if you are winding a length of coax cable around a coil form, and you are pulling the cable very tightly, you can actually "smoosh" the center conductor closer to the shield, as beetle was saying.
by doing this you have changed the distance between the center conductor and the shield, thereby changing the impedance of the coax.
this is not something you will want to be wondering about later, so take your time and dont force anything.
keeping these facts in mind will make sure you do it right.
good luck,
LC
