Using RG-11 with Winegard Satellite???

[darleyhavidson]

Ok, I emailed the company (Winegard) to ask if RG-11 coax cable could be used with their Playmaker satellite. They only recommended RG-6. So, I asked if they have ever tested the system with RG-11 and they replied they had no knowledge of that.

The main reason I ask is that the manufacturer of the RG-11 indicates that the cable may not be compatible with certain satellites. And to query the satellite manufacturer first to ensure there will be no issues.

Well, I tried that to no avail. So, I ask the masses, what say you?

(FYI: I want to use aerial RG-11 coax since I have a long run (88 feet) and will be placing the cable in the trees enroute to where the satellite is positioned.)

[wa8yxm]

In my research I have confirmed that top quality RG-58 beats low end RG-6

But.... Remember Motor homes are generallyu built of LOWEST BIDDER cable

Which is why I recommend RG-6 fOR sat. though as I said above, RG-11 will work.

I have about a mile of RG xx in this house between the rube goldburg TV system the TS-2000 and the other radios. Assorted flavors even 50' of LMR-40.

[Tom_M1]

fpresto wrote:
Not all RGs are equal either. In our lab we often found that a good quality RG-58 would easily outperform a cheap RG-6.

I assume you meant RG-59. RG-58 is 50 ohm.

[rrupert]

Unless you're going a long distance I can't see much advantage in doing that. The shortest distance and the least amount of connectors is the goal to minimize signal loss.

[fpresto]

I have worked with both. The major difference between RG-6 and RG-11 is cable size. RG-11 is much stiffer and thicker. It is much more difficult to work with. Unless you are making runs of 500ft or more the slight gain of RG-11 over RG-6 is probably not worth it. I am not surprised that Winegard would have no reason to test it as it is not practical to use with their systems. It is interesting to note that there is no standard for RG designations. That is a term that was used by the military back in the 40s and 50s and stood for Radio Grade. It has long been superseded by MIL-Spec. I could take any piece of wire, stamp RG-6 on and sell it as RG-6. Not all RGs are equal either. In our lab we often found that a good quality RG-58 would easily outperform a cheap RG-6.

[2oldman]

Info about cables

[wa8yxm]

Did a bit of research. RG-11 should work fine, It is a 75 Ohm Coax. same as RG-6, but RG-11 has lower loss per unit length so it should actually outperform RG-6 The only other possible concern would be center conductor size. And since it omes with "F" connectors I am assuming downright close.