Tom,

Colin brings up an interesting point regarding loss, and only you can say if 
the loss is acceptable in your setup.  Below is a link to a online coax loss 
calculator.

Choose the type of coax from the drop down menu.  Several name brands and 
generics are offered.   enter your line length, freq. in mhz,  load swr, and 
power output.  Then  let it calculate your losses.

Don't forget that loss goes both ways: RX as well as TX.  There is good 
stuff as well as junk stuff in all sizes.  If you save a few bucks today buy 
buying poor quality coax and then have to replace it in 5 years, it wasn't 
much  of a bargain.

http://www.ocarc.ca/coax.htm

73, Steve KW3A



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 3:27 PM
Subject: Need some input on HF wire antennas for the Michigan house


> Hi, all.
>
> Well, I have been bending the ear of Kevin (K7RX) off list on this topic,
> and thought I'd seek input from others here on the list about an antenna
> dilemma I'm having when considering the best HF antenna arrangements for 
> the
> Michigan house.
>
> Here's what I'm thinking, in general, but I need some help with specifics.
>
> When I moved to Colorado last July, I donated my tower, triband, beam, 
> etc.,
> to an EOC one county to my north, so I will be without a tower.  In
> considering various options, I feel that my best arrangement for HF would 
> be
> wire antennas of some sort.  Keep in mind that I need antennas that will
> accommodate 600 or 700 watts, due to my recently-purchased Ameritron 
> AL811H
> amplifier.
>
> I do not necessarily have a problem with room on the Michigan property,
> although coming up with adequate antenna supports might be a slight issue,
> though ultimately solvable.
>
> What I'm thinking is this:  I'd like to have two dipoles, arranged
> perpendicular to each other, so as to cover as many directions as 
> possible.
> My TS480, and my Tentec 238A manual tuner both have antenna switching
> capability, so switching between antennas will not be a problem.
>
> One of the dipoles that I'll use, of course, will be my trusty Alpha Delta
> DXCC, which I had up here in Colorado, and used regularly for the
> Cross-country blind ops net.
>
> I am trying to decide what to do for the other wire antenna.  I thought I
> had a line on a Carolina Windom, but that seems like it will not work now,
> since the ham who was going to work a deal with me has gone to Florida for
> an indefinite period of time.  I could get another Alpha Delta DXCC, but
> would like to try something that might get me on 160 meters if possible.
>
> Some folks on this list have discussed the Cobra lite series of antennas,
> and I might consider that as a possibility.  Do those antennas cover 160,
> and can they handle 600 or 700 watts?
>
> Also, I have a question about coax.
>
> In Colorado, I fed my Alpha Delta DXCC with RG8X coax, and didn't seem to
> have any adverse effects when running more power with the Ameritron amp.
> Some have told me that this is not a wise thing to do, and that I should
> consider bigger coax, like RG213.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this question as well?
>
> I know this is a lot for one e-mail, so I appreciate everyone's patience 
> in
> wading through it.
>
> I'd like to place an order soon for what I need, so the stuff will be
> available in Michigan, once we are back there for good next week at this
> time.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ, still in Colorado, but only for a few more 
> days
>