[BC] about STL dishes and jumpers

[Broadcast List USER]

If you use braided jumpers, you are correct.

If you use Superflex jumpers, run them properly, wire tie or cable tie  
them to tower members and such, and tape them up so the wire ties are  
protected from UV, you are off to a good start.  Properly waterproof  
them, and your jumper will make your system last longer than if you  
connected directly.  "Large" 7/8' coax directly to the antenna and the  
STL receiver or transmitter is going to put excessive torque on the  
connectors.

Also, outside I WILL use Superflex jumpers, but I prefer to have the  
tower crew radio down the exact length they need, then I make it up on  
the ground.  I have been to Andrew School, and I have the proper  
(expensive) tools.  It is my belief that the thicker outer will last  
longer, but Andrew doesn't totally agree.

--chip

On Nov 10, 2010, at 3:05 PM, broadcast-request at radiolists.net wrote:

> Message: 5
> From: Miltron <miltron at mindspring.com>
>
> Why does it amaze you ?
> The most frequent point of failure of low powered antenna systems on  
> towers is the jumper or its connections. Usually, jumpers only last  
> a fraction of the life of the rest of the system. So where is the  
> economy in that ?
> As an example, I installed an STL with 7/8" coax direct into the  
> antenna; it hasn't missed a lick since 1984. Now, _that's_ economy !  
> By now, it might have gone through a half dozen jumpers, or more.
> Every connector is a potential point of failure; why would you want  
> twice as many ?
> Where do these wrong-headed ideas come from ?
> M
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Gary Glaenzer <glaenzer at frontier.com>
>>
>> It's always amazed me that equipment sellers, but even more that  
>> supposedly
>> knowledgeable 'engineers' would attempt to save dollars by  
>> specifying an
>> N-male on the end of the 1/2" Heliax, instead of an N-female + a  
>> jumper
>>
>> Even worse is when the Heliax is 7/8...............
>>
>> Thoughts on this supposed 'economy' ?