RG-58 A/U or Mini-8?

[The Jerk]

Which would be better for a mobile antenna (through-roof mounted Wilson) with around 50 watts? The antenna mount came soldered with RG-58 A/U, stamped "Wilson Electronics" (for obvious reasons).

The reason I ask is that this is a more/less permanent installation and the coax won't be easily changed once installed. I would like to change the coax now, prior to installation. I can have the local shop install mini-8 in place of the RG-58...I have yet to buy a big soldering iron.

 

[Cajun Invader]

There is nothing wrong with the coax that come on the Wilson. I have been using it for 4 years running 1200 pep through it without a problem.

 

[Moleculo]

Just leave the coax it came with. I know that Wilson sells coax jumpers that have their name on the cable but is really Belden coax. It's a good bet that the antennas use the same coax.

 

[Switch Kit]

Which would be better for a mobile antenna (through-roof mounted Wilson) with around 50 watts? The antenna mount came soldered with RG-58 A/U, stamped "Wilson Electronics" (for obvious reasons).

The reason I ask is that this is a more/less permanent installation and the coax won't be easily changed once installed. I would like to change the coax now, prior to installation. I can have the local shop install mini-8 in place of the RG-58...I have yet to buy a big soldering iron.

"if" you plan on up grading more power in the future over the 500 watts or so that the RG-58 is rated at ? then by all means have it changed. Any wattage lower then 500 you should be fine. You made a good choice with the roof mount and IM guessing you got the Wilson 1000 model ? it usually comes with the smaller grade coax. The 5000 comes with the bigger coax to begin with. (Cajun ?) 1200 watts through RG-58 ? I'd say you were surely pushing the envelope unless you were running slightly bigger coax ?

 

[W5LZ]

Switch Kit,
To a very great extent, the power handling ability of any coax depends on the state of tune of the antenna on the end of it. If that antenna is resonant, if it's matched well, and if it can handle the amount of power fed to it, you might be surprised at what RG-58 can handle. Lots of "if's" in that so you can't really take it for granted. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend using RG-58 for high power if you don't have to. It can certainly be done though, I've done it.
- 'Doc

 

[Switch Kit]

Switch Kit,
To a very great extent, the power handling ability of any coax depends on the state of tune of the antenna on the end of it. If that antenna is resonant, if it's matched well, and if it can handle the amount of power fed to it, you might be surprised at what RG-58 can handle. Lots of "if's" in that so you can't really take it for granted. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend using RG-58 for high power if you don't have to. It can certainly be done though, I've done it.
- 'Doc

I understand Doc. I remember many years ago when working at a shop , to this day I have never ever seen a Wilson 1000 coil burnt up , but I did see what fried up RG-58 looked like coming from it from to much wattage applied.

 

[Cajun Invader]

(Cajun ?) 1200 watts through RG-58 ?

Guess I'm lucky.

Also I have absolutely no RFI in my vehicle. I can listen to the stero at night in the pouring rain while shooting skip to washed up ex-rappers in the North West Coroner and still no problems.

Now if only Prime Mix-A-Lot would remake an Eddie Rabbitt song I would be fine as wine.

 

[The Jerk]

The coax is on the mount that was bought (new) by itself to replace a magnet mount. Will most likely replace the 1000 coil I have been using on the magnet mount with a 5000 I have taken from the truck...not that it has anything to do with the coax.

Will only be pushing, at most, a 2-pill TS 350HDV...that's more than I will ever need...and I don't run it that much, except lately while catching skip.

I just wanted to make sure the coax was OK before it was (almost) permanently installed into the car. I would hate to install it to find out it should have been upgraded!

 

[W5LZ]

If it will make you feel better about it, go ahead and change it out. I really doubt it there's an overwhelming need, but... why not?
- 'Doc

 

[Robb]

I bought 15 ft of Times Microwave LMR-240. Then, I put a clip-on ferrite choke on the cable as close to my Wilson 1000 mag mount. It is on the top of my vehicle. Just drove from my home in San Jose CA to my farm in Storm Lake IA. Fantastic trip, and my antenna functioned flawlessly. The match is between 1.1 to 1.3 across the regular CB freqs.

NO common mode current problem whatsoever. The LMR-240 is about $.68/ft. So for about $11 or so, I would say that it cannot be any better than it is - IMO...

 

[undertaker]

Leave it alone i have been runnin a Wilson 1000 roof mount for years. It can handle anything i throw at it....