Good Morning All:
So, after this last week of ISS fun, I have the bug to upgrade into some simple satellite work. I will be confined to simple FM untill I can upgrade to all-mode rigs. My question is on coax and preamps.
I will use a pair of vertically polarized yagis to begin with. One for 144MHz and one on 70cm. I have some LMR 400 I got for the ISS project on 144 but it is so stiff, I didn't use it.
1. If you use LMR 400, do you add flexible sections at the antenna end and in the shack, using LMR400UF? Or, should I just use all UF and forget the additional connections? The cost of the additional connectors (N) both in loss and $$ is probably advantage $ for UF. Not sure about the loss potential for adding two sets of interface connections.
2. With a 5-7 element yagi on 144, is it really necessary to use low loss coax as a opposed to 8x or 8x mini. Runs here are 35' if munted at 12' and 60' if mounted to roof tower at about 20'
3. On 70cm, I plan to add a mast preamp, but will use the yagi "barefoot" to begin with. With a preamp at the antenna, is low loss coax still required or can the cost increment be put to better use in the preamp to begin with? The preamp of course also gives a convenient place for a connector interface from stiff to flexible if desired.
Anyway...I appreciate input from those that have been there and done that.
Thanks
Curt KU8L