Thank you for emphasizing the importance of over-under! It can also be done with the cable, hose, or line lying flat (on the floor, ground, or deck). That works well for greater diameters and lengths.
Good tip! I didn't care for the ABR brand for my permanent station. I switched out to the times microwave lmr 400. I'm much happier with that. I also like the 25 year warranty on the coax and 5 year warranty on the connectors that you get with times microwave. I bought my first run of 100ft solid core with ends already on and didn't care for the crimped on ends. The next time i bought 125ft of ultraflex "stranded" center core and put my own ends on it. I really like those compression fit connectors the best. I find them to be far better than both crimp on and solder on and they are the fastest to install.
The most important feature of the over-under method is that it prevents twist in the cable. Twist does internal damage. Sound guys have been using this method for years with audio cables. Some other advice: - Buy coax that uses stranded center conductors. It has more loss than solid center conductors, but solid center conductors will eventually fatigue like a paperclip being bent over and over. - Use crimp connectors not soldered connectors for the same reason as the stranded conductors. Solder can fatigue under repeated handling. - Buy coax that uses tinned or silvered braid not bare copper for corrosion resistance. - You can buy solid plugs or caps for the ends. This keeps dirt and moisture out. But they also keep the connector from deforming if weight is accidentally placed on it. You'll never get the connector back into a round shape again if this happens, which means it will never mate with another connector again. - Some types of coax are made with chemical, heat, UV, and abrasion resistant jackets. Usually the milspec or aviation coax. For example, RG400 and RG393 use a Flourinated Ethylene Propylene jacket.
As a longtime “sound guy”, I could not agree more! Not only does it keep the twist out which prolongs the life of the cables, it also makes deployment a breeze as Michael alluded to. Instead of spending time getting the kinks out, you just throw it out, it lays flat and you hook it up and get on with your life.
Thanks for the extra tips. Anyone who has ever worked in radio, television, film, and theatre knows to treat cables with respect and the first thing we learned was the over-under method (and figure-8 for the big stuff).
Interesting, since I don't have problems with weight and size, when I go portable I use a water hose reel where I roll up my rg213/lmr400, if I use a cheap rg58 an empty reel for electrical cables is fine, in case of joints I use Vulcanizing or self-amalgamating tape on the connectors, otherwise simple garden socket covers (like giant beans) work well... PS: I use gardening wheels because they have a diameter large enough not to damage the cable with too tight windings or bends
I use the Over-Under method for my Christmas lights. What's cool is if you hold the bundle in your hand with your fingers out, the lights will slide off your hand one loop at a time without any coils or kinks.
I learned the over/under method with electrical extension cords. I have 2 at 100ft each, and it is amazing. With coax right now, I move my hands like a spool, so no kinks. I should get a real spool.
Try that with a 250ft 3 Cable assembly HAHHAA A 16/4 SJO cable, RG-6 Coax, and a 18/2 Shielded Audio Cable. For My Roving Auction Camera I have to Figure 8 it or the over under method on the Stage floor ...
You can order coax from ABR Industries in Texas at custom lengths, with your choice of connectors, color, and with your name and call sign on the ends.
The first time I ordered coax from ABR Industries, I picked them up at their shop. They recently moved to a new location that has air conditioning. 73 KD5YOU
Could you please make a zoom on the over-under technique? I usually roll the coax "in plane" to avoid twisting but that does not give good results and is difficult for long cables. Thanks a lot.
In the 'under' movement of the over-under method, giving the cable a slight twist with your fingers does help. Long cables can be more difficult, especially if they are stiff. If there are stresses or twists built up in the cable, I'll 'shake them out' periodically as I'm coiling it.
Thank you for emphasizing the importance of over-under! It can also be done with the cable, hose, or line lying flat (on the floor, ground, or deck). That works well for greater diameters and lengths.
Thank you for the detailed way you showed the over and under procedure. This is the first time I've been able to accomplish the task.
Good tip!
I didn't care for the ABR brand for my permanent station.
I switched out to the times microwave lmr 400. I'm much happier with that. I also like the 25 year warranty on the coax and 5 year warranty on the connectors that you get with times microwave.
I bought my first run of 100ft solid core with ends already on and didn't care for the crimped on ends.
The next time i bought 125ft of ultraflex "stranded" center core and put my own ends on it.
I really like those compression fit connectors the best. I find them to be far better than both crimp on and solder on and they are the fastest to install.
The most important feature of the over-under method is that it prevents twist in the cable. Twist does internal damage. Sound guys have been using this method for years with audio cables.
Some other advice:
- Buy coax that uses stranded center conductors. It has more loss than solid center conductors, but solid center conductors will eventually fatigue like a paperclip being bent over and over.
- Use crimp connectors not soldered connectors for the same reason as the stranded conductors. Solder can fatigue under repeated handling.
- Buy coax that uses tinned or silvered braid not bare copper for corrosion resistance.
- You can buy solid plugs or caps for the ends. This keeps dirt and moisture out. But they also keep the connector from deforming if weight is accidentally placed on it. You'll never get the connector back into a round shape again if this happens, which means it will never mate with another connector again.
- Some types of coax are made with chemical, heat, UV, and abrasion resistant jackets. Usually the milspec or aviation coax. For example, RG400 and RG393 use a Flourinated Ethylene Propylene jacket.
As a longtime “sound guy”, I could not agree more! Not only does it keep the twist out which prolongs the life of the cables, it also makes deployment a breeze as Michael alluded to. Instead of spending time getting the kinks out, you just throw it out, it lays flat and you hook it up and get on with your life.
Great tips major!
Should also work for power cords.
Thanks for the extra tips. Anyone who has ever worked in radio, television, film, and theatre knows to treat cables with respect and the first thing we learned was the over-under method (and figure-8 for the big stuff).
@@AlvinMcManus Yes, I use it for power cords, too.
Nice Michael. I feel those tricks work well for my RG-316 cables also since I do mostly QRP & generally in 25-35' lengths. Cheers, Davey --KU9L
Thank you Michael. The Over/under method is also known as the "roadie" method of coax cable & electric extension cord handling, per Bob Heil...fm
Nice tips. Thank you. Great ideas.
I love the Bongo Ties. Thanks for the tip on unrolling new coax. I hadn't heard that one before.
Watching that under-over method in SlooooMo helps to learn it.
Interesting, since I don't have problems with weight and size, when I go portable I use a water hose reel where I roll up my rg213/lmr400, if I use a cheap rg58 an empty reel for electrical cables is fine, in case of joints I use Vulcanizing or self-amalgamating tape on the connectors, otherwise simple garden socket covers (like giant beans) work well... PS: I use gardening wheels because they have a diameter large enough not to damage the cable with too tight windings or bends
Great idea, thanx!😃🇺🇸
Thanks for tips!
Great advice 😀
Also works for extension cords to the generator!
I do that with all my extension cords, too.
Does this also work with Christmas lights? 😂. Thanks for another great video, useful tip on the over and under method that I will use for sure.
I use the Over-Under method for my Christmas lights. What's cool is if you hold the bundle in your hand with your fingers out, the lights will slide off your hand one loop at a time without any coils or kinks.
@@KB9VBRAntennas that started as a joke but now I’m definitely going to try it! Thanks for all the great content.
I learned the over/under method with electrical extension cords. I have 2 at 100ft each, and it is amazing.
With coax right now, I move my hands like a spool, so no kinks. I should get a real spool.
Try that with a 250ft 3 Cable assembly HAHHAA A 16/4 SJO cable, RG-6 Coax, and a 18/2 Shielded Audio Cable.
For My Roving Auction Camera I have to Figure 8 it or the over under method on the Stage floor ...
Figure-8 for those big cables is the way to go. I do that with garden hoses.
You can order coax from ABR Industries in Texas at custom lengths, with your choice of connectors, color, and with your name and call sign on the ends.
The first time I ordered coax from ABR Industries, I picked them up at their shop. They recently moved to a new location that has air conditioning. 73 KD5YOU
Could you please make a zoom on the over-under technique? I usually roll the coax "in plane" to avoid twisting but that does not give good results and is difficult for long cables. Thanks a lot.
In the 'under' movement of the over-under method, giving the cable a slight twist with your fingers does help. Long cables can be more difficult, especially if they are stiff. If there are stresses or twists built up in the cable, I'll 'shake them out' periodically as I'm coiling it.
Where did you get the green boots over the PL259 ends? I'd like to buy a set or two....
It comes on the ABR brand of coax.
The boots came with the cable, ABR sells them: abrind.com/shop/protective-connector-caps/protective-caps-for-pl259-connectors/
@@KB9VBRAntennas I had no idea you could be them.
Awesome!
Thanks for posting. I like how you can deploy the coax instead of rolling it out! 73 KE4GTQ.
Buy BELDEN brand coax, good stuff.
Very good tip, Michael!
Thank you!
VU3TQT
Nice techniques - thanks for sharing! de N8GNJ
Great tip, thanks!