Is LMR400 the best cable for Helium Mining 

Thanks Ian. Still looking to do a video on the McGills but they keep selling out!

Hi Grant, Still waiting anxiously 😊👍🏻 should have said patiently but that would be a lie

Good one. I just shot a video to explain…will process and upload this weekend

Thanks :)

Yeah, seems to be quite a topic asked for...will work on that

Id love to see a video on this topic too. Its the only thing I still don't fully understand when it comes to my setup. Great video by the way! Keep up the good work!

I'd also like to see more information on this please, and the proper way to install one.

Few videos from overseas , still need clarity in local regulations and who can do what. I.e is sparky needed for ground wire and new stake or wiring to existing earth stake , as normally antenna installers are not licensed electricians. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-L_iRaIlSTKg.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yZc84_9WJKI.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8b1BlI5f8KE.html

Good question. So are you looking for basic propagation loss? There are a few basic calculations available, but after many years I found a real gem in www.pasternack.com/t-rf-microwave-calculators-and-conversions.aspx

Typically the LMR400 type cable is most popular. You may find that the extra height will give you more benefit than the extra cable losses give you trouble. Otherwise, do look at LMR600 cable. It’s quite hard to work with, but once installed it’s good

I think any of the proper low loss cables (i.e. LMR or equivalent) is decent, but the longer you go the more important loss management will be, in particular for the receive side of things. As for your last comment...I can live with that :)

Great question. I am indeed in two minds about the importance of cable losses for the Helium community. I do personally believe that the super strong emphasis on LMR400 is indeed somewhat overrated, but then that's just an opinion. As far as good quality etc. is concerned, I do want to highlight the fact that lower loss cables will not only help with the transmit power (as you rightly mention) but it also keeps the receive sensitivity and signal to noise ratio lower. So every extra dB of cable loss will in-fact increase the SNR. Where there are many users around it probably does not matter, but when you are more remote the SNR and sensitivity is the game changer, which actually would mean a better quality is more important in the remote areas. So, probably exactly the opposite to your question :)

@@RFShop Great info, thanks! Makes sense that amplifying a lossier signal is not going to be as good. Would be great if you guys could ship internationally, there’s nowhere near me to get cable assemblies from

@@wriches you can try Peter at RFShop UK. Peter is the original founder of RFShop Australia but moved back to the UK in 2016 and I took over the local business. He does custom coaxial cable as well!

@@RFShop Ah nice one, I'll give them a try!

Hi. No, the cable by itself is shielded so if you run it inside a metal structure but have the cable the way it is, it won't make a difference. If anything, I think it might improve things a little bit :)

Yes, thst would indeed cause trouble. You’ll have to use 50Ohm cable

I did a video on using 75 Ohm cable. It's not a good idea. Have a look here (sorry, I think I was quite blunt in that particular video)...ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VSsaQ-_uxeA.html

Sorry for the late response...a good mid-gain antenna (6dBi) should work well. Problem in EU is the low transmit power so getting the antenna selection right is crucial

Hi. Yes, LMR400 will work great. LMR600 should work even better, but it's not worth that hassle of the thicker and stiffer cable so I would indeed not worry about anything larger than 400.

Hi. I think it gets to a point where practicality becomes critical. LDF is very hard to work with and expensive connectors. LMR600 is very low loss and I would consider just using that

@@RFShop Thank you for the answer. So you think I will be okay with all the loss on 25-30m cable LMR-600 + connectors and adapter loss? I planned to get 8DBI antenna but I am open for any suggestions.

Great question. Just gave me an idea for a series on losses. - Measured on cable and with connectors - Measured adapters - Measured Lighning Protectors

That’s a difficult one. Are there perhaps areas that could be better reflecting when wet?

RG11 is 75 Ohm and will cause reflections. I recommend only using 50 Ohm cable

Yes, we can help. It depends on the miner and the antenna (i.e. the two ends of the cable). When we still worked on the Helium market we used N(F) to RP SMA(M) connectors.

Yes and don't put your antenna next to a window screen. If you must have miner inside put it high up in an attic or against/near a window positioned within the best range of hexs you can see in helium.exe.

Agreed…any metal surface (even the flyscreen mesh) will cause major trouble

Good question…in my RFShop honest opinion not much. You do want to try and use 240 or 195 though and stay away from thinner cable

Hi Andrew. Yes, the distance / reach would be that of an 8dBi omni antenna, but do take note / care that the beam shape remains that of the 10dBi omni antenna

Good question. I have heard a few theories, and I see Google is also full of ideas. The best "Google" story I see is that it stands for Land Mobile Radio. However, that's not what I am lead to believe. My understanding (but can't confirm this without cross-checks) Times Microwave did a design for Lockhead Martin, and the cable was orginally intended for that deployment...hence the LM in the product code. Not sure about the R. I like this last story the most, so I'll go with that :)

@@RFShop Thanks for the lead. This question came up as a topic for one of our local amateur radio nets and I was just trying to do a little sleuthing to see what I could find. When we revisit the topic next week I'll throw this in there as a likely answer.

@@adcraziness1501 sounds good :)

Thx!

True

There's one guy in my workshop who's from Colombia. Behind my back he asked someone what accent do I have...and he said it was 'weird'...because I throw those rrrr's quite hard. Lekkerrr !!