Least loss coax

Danny D · 09-17-2002

I am putting up an omni antenna on the top of a building.Unfortunately I don't own the building and therefore have to run a length of coax about 40 to 50 feet.

What is the best coax for this length ? This coax will be mostly outdoors.The best I've found so far with a loss 4.43db of over 100 feet is below

Spool of LMR 600 Coax 250 Foot

This coax is genuine Times Microwave LMR 600 cable ( http://www.fab-corp.com/pdf/times.pdf ) .
Frequency loss per 100ft at 2400Mhz is 4.43dB. Item is drop shipped from the manufacture on a wood spool.

Regular Price: $ 325.00
Your Price: $ 262.50
Any other suggestions ?

saveoncigs · 09-17-2002

Check ebay for a better deal.

Thorn · 09-17-2002

The trouble with LMR600 is that it is almost 0.5" thick, and difficult to work with as it is rather stiff. Don't foget to purchase the proper connectors, and the crimp tool (average $100 - $150USD), too.

Alternative 1: If you can mount an antenna at 50', then you probably can mount the AP there in a NEMA box. Run PoE, and use a much shorter coax (>10'). This is always the best alternative.

You can actually get a much better signal out with this setup, even using a higher dB loss coax. This is due to the fact that the coax is so short.

Alternative 2: Buy the coax premade to your length. While this will greatly increase the cost per foot, it is still much cheaper then buying a whole roll of LMR600, the crimp tool, and the connectors. (Unless you doing more than one AP.)

Danny D · 09-17-2002

Thanks for the responses guys !Two quick questions.

Is PoE easy to setup ? Is it diy or are there kits available ? How does an ethernet cable stand up in the Irish outdoor (rainy) weather ?

Can someone give me a url to a NEMA box ? I assume this is an outdoor waterproof enclosure for the ap.

Thorn · 09-17-2002

DIY PoE: http://www.nycwireless.net/articles/poe/
PoE kits: http://www.demarctech.com/products/POE/poe-main.html

A NEMA-4 enclosure is designed for outdoor, full weather exposure. NEMA box for short. NEMA being the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the certifying agency. In Ireland, I'd suspect that they're called something else. A plastic 12"x12"x6" NEMA box here goes for about $25USD. You can find them in DIY stores here.

As far as Cat5 cable goes, just get outdoor rated cable. It has a heavier jacket.

This thread show the kind of setup I'm talking about, although jamesnet didn't use PoE. He ran mains power outdoors using just wire, which I would not recommend. It is too dangerous.

http://forums.netstumbler.com//showt...&threadid=3406

BTW, where are you in Ireland?

c-mag · 09-17-2002

You could also do it with a Tupperware dish.

http://www.dfwwireless.org/owap.htm

Slightly cheaper than a NEMA box though not as rugged in some cases.

Danny D · 09-18-2002

Thanks alot for the prompt replies.

I am in Cork , down the south.I've attached an irish map highlighting Cork.

Danny D · 09-18-2002

here is the map

09-17-2002	#1 (permalink)
Danny D CorkWireless Cork ireland Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 56	Least loss coax I am putting up an omni antenna on the top of a building.Unfortunately I don't own the building and therefore have to run a length of coax about 40 to 50 feet. What is the best coax for this length ? This coax will be mostly outdoors.The best I've found so far with a loss 4.43db of over 100 feet is below Spool of LMR 600 Coax 250 Foot This coax is genuine Times Microwave LMR 600 cable ( http://www.fab-corp.com/pdf/times.pdf ) . Frequency loss per 100ft at 2400Mhz is 4.43dB. Item is drop shipped from the manufacture on a wood spool. Regular Price: $ 325.00 Your Price: $ 262.50 Any other suggestions ?

09-17-2002	#2 (permalink)
saveoncigs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 6	Cable. Check ebay for a better deal.

09-17-2002	#3 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	The trouble with LMR600 is that it is almost 0.5" thick, and difficult to work with as it is rather stiff. Don't foget to purchase the proper connectors, and the crimp tool (average $100 - $150USD), too. Alternative 1: If you can mount an antenna at 50', then you probably can mount the AP there in a NEMA box. Run PoE, and use a much shorter coax (>10'). This is always the best alternative. You can actually get a much better signal out with this setup, even using a higher dB loss coax. This is due to the fact that the coax is so short. Alternative 2: Buy the coax premade to your length. While this will greatly increase the cost per foot, it is still much cheaper then buying a whole roll of LMR600, the crimp tool, and the connectors. (Unless you doing more than one AP.) __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

09-17-2002	#4 (permalink)
Danny D CorkWireless Cork ireland Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 56	thanks :) Thanks for the responses guys !Two quick questions. Is PoE easy to setup ? Is it diy or are there kits available ? How does an ethernet cable stand up in the Irish outdoor (rainy) weather ? Can someone give me a url to a NEMA box ? I assume this is an outdoor waterproof enclosure for the ap.

09-17-2002	#5 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,096	DIY PoE: http://www.nycwireless.net/articles/poe/ PoE kits: http://www.demarctech.com/products/POE/poe-main.html A NEMA-4 enclosure is designed for outdoor, full weather exposure. NEMA box for short. NEMA being the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the certifying agency. In Ireland, I'd suspect that they're called something else. A plastic 12"x12"x6" NEMA box here goes for about $25USD. You can find them in DIY stores here. As far as Cat5 cable goes, just get outdoor rated cable. It has a heavier jacket. This thread show the kind of setup I'm talking about, although jamesnet didn't use PoE. He ran mains power outdoors using just wire, which I would not recommend. It is too dangerous. http://forums.netstumbler.com//showt...&threadid=3406 BTW, where are you in Ireland? __________________ Thorn "I'm The Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I am from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old and I am the man who is going to save your lives and all 6 billion people on the planet below... You got a problem with that?"

09-17-2002	#6 (permalink)
c-mag Onomatostumbler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Golden, BC, Canada Posts: 627	You could also do it with a Tupperware dish. http://www.dfwwireless.org/owap.htm Slightly cheaper than a NEMA box though not as rugged in some cases. __________________ Stumblematopoeia!

09-18-2002	#7 (permalink)
Danny D CorkWireless Cork ireland Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 56	thanks Thanks alot for the prompt replies. I am in Cork , down the south.I've attached an irish map highlighting Cork. Last edited by Danny D : 09-18-2002 at 05:54 AM.

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