PMR Aerial lead help

[Marks adventure]

a question for the lecky tech's out there

i have a PMR Radio fitted to my bike and a separate aerial. The lead from the radio to the aerial is fecked.

Its fitted with BNC plugs at both ends.

Do i need 'special' coax or will any coax do?

Maplins sell angled BNC plugs and coax so i was going to have a bash at knocking one up myself.

The plugs are 75Ω impedance (not got a clue what that means though) HERE

Thanks

 

[Blue Sweeper]

All PMR and every other modern VHF/UHF radio system I've ever come across, use 50Ω antenna and coax feeder. It's therefore important that you match the impedance, or a miss-match will occur which will mean that the transmitter is impaired and range will suffer. You should find out what the specifications are for the radio you have installed, what is the make and model?

 

[nick.ct]

You need RF coax, not the stuff you use for audio

Usually the cable for transmitters is 50 Ohm, the use of 75 Ohm connectors is not recommended but for your use it will be OK. (75 and 50 Ohm BNC connectors have a different pin size)

Suggest something like

http://www.maplin.co.uk/rg58-50andohm-coax-cable-256#specification

or

http://www.maplin.co.uk/urm76-50andohm-low-capacitance-coax-cable-254

 

[catch]

Find a RG174 oder RG58 cable which is actually for radio use. I am a radio amateur and make my own antennas. If the cable is just 2 meter there will be enough power reaching the antenna even when you use RG174.