ONE STEP CLOSER

[Sonar]

I just received my 2340 back from repair. And should be getting the Madison out for repair within the next few weeks (fingers crossed) I've been off the air now for approximately six months. I've decided to start over. This time I want everything as close to 100% correct including the height of my antenna which some of you know is currently eight feet off the ground. It will eventually be 30 feet from the ground to the tip of the IMAX 2000 (using a telescopic mast and the hands and mind of shady tree mechanic my friend 808.) I am replacing my jumpers which are currently LMR 240's with 400 ultraflex. I never liked the 240.
My conundrum is that for the first time ever I would like to add one of my Autek wm1's to read SWR from the amplifier. And my second wm1 to read output an SWR from the transmitter.
sitting here trying to figure out how to hook up 2 metres without blowing everything up (lol) is beginning to fry my brain a bit.
Can someone simply explained the inputs and outputs of both meters one amplifier, and one transmitter. A diagram would be nice LOL. But I am fairly positive that is straightforward explanation of where each jumper goes will suffice. I will purchase the LMR 400 ultraflex jumpers as soon as I get my answer from you guys as I'd like to purchase an extra backup 1. Thank you my friends.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

You would just have a meter in between the radio and the amp, and a meter between the amp and antenna. Unless I misread something.

 

[Blackcat630]

Radio - input of meter 1 - output meter 1 to input of amplifier - output of amplifier to input of meter 2 - output of meter 2 to antenna. 3 jumpers required

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Basically you would need 3 jumpers.


I use the 400 flex for my jumpers and it works great but is stiff even though it says flex it is not like the 240 flex. One of the things that I found useful is the 90 degree coax connectors to keep the coax close to the back of the devices. Otherwise it will stick out a good 6 or 8 inches. Another thing that I did was to use a 10ft piece of 400 flex on each end of my regular 400 antenna coax to make it easier to manage the stiff coax to make connections. The 10ft pieces have a female on the end that connects to the regular 400 so no barrel connectors are needed. Hope this helps.
Chris

 

[Sonar]

Radio - input of meter 1 - output meter 1 to input of amplifier - output of amplifier to input of meter 2 - output of meter 2 to antenna. 3 jumpers required

Sounds good to me.
Meter from radio will show transmitters output and swr. Meter from amp will show amps output and swr. Just what I wanted and needed.
I've been tuning that final load on the back of my amp/amps for Max ouput for eon's. It can finally be turned for minimum swr. Thank you sir. I don't see anyone second guessing you instructions. Very straightforward. Much appreciated. I will pay it forward. Always do. 73's

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Basically you would need 3 jumpers.


I use the 400 flex for my jumpers and it works great but is stiff even though it says flex it is not like the 240 flex. One of the things that I found useful is the 90 degree coax connectors to keep the coax close to the back of the devices. Otherwise it will stick out a good 6 or 8 inches. Another thing that I did was to use a 10ft piece of 400 flex on each end of my regular 400 antenna coax to make it easier to manage the stiff coax to make connections. The 10ft pieces have a female on the end that connects to the regular 400 so no barrel connectors are needed. Hope this helps.
Chris

Have you found a reasonably priced 90 degree adapter that isn't total junk?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

This is the one I use.
https://www.jefatech.com/collections/uhf-pl-259-so-239-adapters/products/aduhfuhfra

 

[Sonar]

Basically you would need 3 jumpers.


I use the 400 flex for my jumpers and it works great but is stiff even though it says flex it is not like the 240 flex. One of the things that I found useful is the 90 degree coax connectors to keep the coax close to the back of the devices. Otherwise it will stick out a good 6 or 8 inches. Another thing that I did was to use a 10ft piece of 400 flex on each end of my regular 400 antenna coax to make it easier to manage the stiff coax to make connections. The 10ft pieces have a female on the end that connects to the regular 400 so no barrel connectors are needed. Hope this helps.
Chris

Are you saying there is no difference or there is no true ultraflex? I have several LMR 400 jumpers. I purchased them almost four years ago when I returned to the airwaves. As you say they are as stiff as a metal rod. I hated them. I did not want to add those l-shaped connectors. I already was using an antenna switch in order to switch back and forth between the sonar and Madison. I didn't want to add any extra accessories like those l-shaped connectors. I had to keep the desk away from the wall approximately 2 ft so that the lmr400 jumpers would not bend at the pl-259 connector and eventually break. The LMR I'm looking at is labeled ultraflex. I'm fairly positive it's very lucid and flexible. If you say different I will definitely check before making the purchase. If that's the case I will find another jumper that is just as good in quality but very flexible. One specifically made for jumpers. I am fairly positive that the ultra flex lmr400 is just as wiry and loose as the lmr-240. If you know different definitely let me know. I will then ask for suggestions on the best jumper I could buy that aren't stiff like the lmr400. The ones I am looking for must be as loose and wiry as the lmr-240. I do hope you're wrong. I'm certainly glad I did not go ahead and purchase them yet. I have been purchasing my coax from the same eBay seller since my return to the airwaves. I could always call them and ask them for a recommendation. They've been very helpful in the past. I certainly spent enough money with them. They are a US based company and have been very convincing about the quality of their lmr400. eBay sellers Sagemaiden.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Well from what I have found, the regular 400 is very stiff and the flex is somewhat stiff. It is not flexible like the 240 flex. The picture you showed has the end of the cable sticking up. The cable is holding itself up so it is somewhat stiff. The biggest benefit to the 400 flex is that it can be bent tighter than the regular 400 without damage. Maybe there is a 400 flex that is more flexible than what I have seen?

Anyone else use the 400 flex?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Are you saying there is no difference or there is no true ultraflex? I have several LMR 400 jumpers. I purchased them almost four years ago when I returned to the airwaves. As you say they are as stiff as a metal rod. I hated them. I did not want to add those l-shaped connectors. I already was using an antenna switch in order to switch back and forth between the sonar and Madison. I didn't want to add any extra accessories like those l-shaped connectors. I had to keep the desk away from the wall approximately 2 ft so that the lmr400 jumpers would not bend at the pl-259 connector and eventually break. The LMR I'm looking at is labeled ultraflex. I'm fairly positive it's very lucid and flexible. If you say different I will definitely check before making the purchase. If that's the case I will find another jumper that is just as good in quality but very flexible. One specifically made for jumpers. I am fairly positive that the ultra flex lmr400 is just as wiry and loose as the lmr-240. If you know different definitely let me know. I will then ask for suggestions on the best jumper I could buy that aren't stiff like the lmr400. The ones I am looking for must be as loose and wiry as the lmr-240. I do hope you're wrong. I'm certainly glad I did not go ahead and purchase them yet. I have been purchasing my coax from the same eBay seller since my return to the airwaves. I could always call them and ask them for a recommendation. They've been very helpful in the past. I certainly spent enough money with them. They are a US based company and have been very convincing about the quality of their lmr400. eBay sellers Sagemaiden.View attachment 27764

If you have used them in the past then maybe they would be willing to send you a 6 inch sample of the 400 ultraflex cable?

 

[Sonar]

Th nois is the one I use.
https://www.jefatech.com/collections/uhf-pl-259-so-239-adapters/products/aduhfuhfra

View attachment 27765

I do believe that matches black cat and his directions as to how to hook up 1 transmitter 2 meters + 1 amplifier. I didn't know you were using to wm1's. I probably wouldn't have worried about it since you're most likely going to be the one that's going to be hooking it up LOL! After the antennas up you're going to run the LMR in which you replaced the pl 259's. I'm assuming you won't mind hanging around for another hour or so and getting everything hooked up tested and working as it should? Should I have that a? there 808 LOL.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I do believe that matches black cat and his directions as to how to hook up 1 transmitter 2 meters + 1 amplifier. I didn't know you were using to wm1's. I probably wouldn't have worried about it since you're most likely going to be the one that's going to be hooking it up LOL! After the antennas up you're going to run the LMR in which you replaced the pl 259's. I'm assuming you won't mind hanging around for another hour or so and getting everything hooked up tested and working as it should? Should I have that a? there 808 LOL.

Not a problem, we can get you all hooked up and dialed in.

 

[Sonar]

If you have used them in the past then maybe they would be willing to send you a 6 inch sample of the 400 ultraflex cable?

I purchased all my coax needs from them. That includes 150 ft of LMR 400. Of which I only needed a hundred and 15 ft. I have the 35 extra feet that I cut off somewhere in the garage. If it's something you could use we could add it to the gift box. I might just send them, a 6-inch sample. LOL. I have little doubt they will send me a sample of the ultraflex 400. They know me by first name. I'm beginning to think the lmr240's I have might not be that bad. I totally believe the SWR problems were absolutely do to the poor installation of both pl-259's on the lmr400. I'm also questioning my IMAX mm. That's why there's a brand new one in the garage. And that's the one that will be going on top of the telescopic mast. Since I have round 8 240 jumpers maybe I order wait until you bring the cable back with its new pl259's and give those 240's another try. Don't ask me why I have so many 240 jumpers. I literally have a large tupperware box full of them. I blame everything on the medication they were giving me. It truly made me loopy.

 

[Blackcat630]

If your 240 jumpers are in good shape I would probably just use them. Since 400 ultra flex might not be as "ultra" flexible as you need it to be for your application.
I use a 15 ft jumper of 400 UF off a barrel connector to my run of regular lmr 400 on my tower for my 2m beam. This is for my loop that allows movement by the rotor.. works great for that.

I do use a couple 90 degree PL259-SO239 elbows that do come in handy since my corner desk puts a couple of rigs practically against the wall.

Save the $ from new jumpers and invest it in a taller mast/tower for your antenna. Much more beneficial IMO...