[Linux-ham] Is LMR-400 cable all the same?

[David Black]

Yes, same cable but sometimes the connectors used are different. There is an extra-flexible version of LMR-400 too - at a bit higher loss compared to plain LMR-400, but I imagine you're not concerned with that. 

UHF applications, including 2.4 GHz, commonly use N, TNC, SMA or other "microwave" connector. For two meters - PL-259 ("UHF" - really a misnomer), and BNC connectors are common. 

There's no downside I know of in using N connectors for any band you want, except they tend to be more expensive. At lower frequencies like 2 meters and below, the performance difference between constant impedance/very low loss connectors like N and others such as the PL-259 is relatively small. 

I always put N connectors on LMR-400 cable runs. Since LMR-400 is useful all the way to 2.4 GHz and beyond, that makes it easy to repurpose a run for use with microwave no matter how it's initially used. N connectors on a lengthy run of say, RG-58U makes less sense. 

Last, picking up a good assortment of adapters, e.g. PL-259M - N Female and other combinations with BNC and SMA may prove useful. I find them indispensible when doing temporary hookups, e.g. through an SWR meter. 

Enjoy. 

Dave AD6Q 

----- "Greg Brown" <gwbrown1 at gmail.com> wrote: 
> Does LMR-400 cable that carries 2.4 Ghz between the radio and antenna the same as LMR-400 that goes between a 2 meter radio and the antenna? 
> 
> I realize I'm showing my extreme lack of knowledge but I'm trying to get a home station set up and I'm sourcing the parts I'll need. 
> 
> _______________________________________________ Linux-ham mailing list Linux-ham at trilug.org http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-ham 
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