Bag RF Distro custom cabling

[saadasound]

I'm working on finishing my bag RF distro and I'm looking  for low profile 50 ohm cabling for my 411's. It'll be feeding 2 PSC distro's as of now, but may upgrade to the newer PSC RF Multi SMA to save space. Any recommendations on where to get custom cabling?

[David Marien]

Hi Steve,

This may not be the answer that you are looking for, but I would recommend making your own RF cabling.

All you need is some of these

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/5463248/

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/7123191/

and these:

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/5463620/

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/1123457/

I use RG174 for coax cable, it will work just fine for such short runs. You will also need a good crimp tool. Get one with interchangeable dies so that you can use it for different sizes of connectors and cables in the future. Example:

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Hand-Tools/Crimpers/Quick-Change-Ratchet-Crimp-Tool/p/TH2000

You will also need a soldering iron with a fine tip to solder the center pin on the right angle sma.

RF patch cables are really not that hard to make and it very cost-effective compared to buying them pre-made, not to mention the ability to repair or make new ones on the spot.

Anyway, hope that helps.

Cheers,

David

[Gene Martin]

If you still need custom cabling we can help you out. Please email drew@audiodept.com

Gene

[gamaufvisuals]

12 hours ago, David Marien said:

Hi Steve,

This may not be the answer that you are looking for, but I would recommend making your own RF cabling.

All you need is some of these

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/5463248/

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/7123191/

and these:

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/5463620/

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/1123457/

I use RG174 for coax cable, it will work just fine for such short runs. You will also need a good crimp tool. Get one with interchangeable dies so that you can use it for different sizes of connectors and cables in the future. Example:

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Hand-Tools/Crimpers/Quick-Change-Ratchet-Crimp-Tool/p/TH2000

You will also need a soldering iron with a fine tip to solder the center pin on the right angle sma.

RF patch cables are really not that hard to make and it very cost-effective compared to buying them pre-made, not to mention the ability to repair or make new ones on the spot.

Anyway, hope that helps.

Cheers,

David

Hi David,

which bag is this? Thanks,

Ernst

[David Marien]

11 hours ago, gamaufvisuals said:

Hi David,

which bag is this? Thanks,

Ernst

Orca OR-41 

[danelonsdale]

I've got one for sale. Basically brand new. Email me at danelonsdale@gmail.com if you'd like to buy it

 

Dane

[Solid Goldberger]

Hey David,

How is that PSC RF Multi working out for you?  I was under the impression that Zaxcom QRX200s and those didnt play nicely.  Have you ever compared performance to a MicPlexer 2?

e.

[David Marien]

I have certainly read the same mixed reviews about the Zax + PSC RF multi. The micplexer wasn't an option for me because I use a mix of TRXLA lower blocks and older TRX900 Block 25.

I am happy to report that everything is working very well. Originally, I purchased a couple of lectros PF-25 filters as recommended by Glenn from Zaxcom on this board in case I needed to filter the wideband RF down to 1 block to avoid overloading the front end filters of the QRX200. It hasn't been necessary so far.

My rig is Lectro SNa dipoles or Zax Bluefins ==> RF Multi ==> QRX200/100

I haven't been able to compare it against a Micplexer since very few soundos in Melbourne use Zaxcom wireless. However, it has definitely been a major improvement from floppy antennas alone and more than enough range for 99% of my work.

[Jack Norflus]

3 hours ago, Solid Goldberger said:

 I was under the impression that Zaxcom QRX200s and those didnt play nicely. 

It's not that they don't play nice together - it just that the lack of a filter can overload the receivers with something like a walkie or video transmitter on set.

Yes the psc will work with the qrx.

Will you get optimal preformance with your wireless?

As the senator would say. . . It depends. 

[Matt Radlauer]

I have certainly read the same mixed reviews about the Zax + PSC RF multi. The micplexer wasn't an option for me because I use a mix of TRXLA lower blocks and older TRX900 Block 25.

I am happy to report that everything is working very well. Originally, I purchased a couple of lectros PF-25 filters as recommended by Glenn from Zaxcom on this board in case I needed to filter the wideband RF down to 1 block to avoid overloading the front end filters of the QRX200. It hasn't been necessary so far.

My rig is Lectro SNa dipoles or Zax Bluefins ==> RF Multi ==> QRX200/100

I haven't been able to compare it against a Micplexer since very few soundos in Melbourne use Zaxcom wireless. However, it has definitely been a major improvement from floppy antennas alone and more than enough range for 99% of my work.

 I was under the impression that Zaxcom QRX200s and those didnt play nicely. 

It's not that they don't play nice together - it just that the lack of a filter can overload the receivers with something like a walkie or video transmitter on set.

Yes the psc will work with the qrx.

Will you get optimal preformance with your wireless?

As the senator would say. . . It depends. 

If this is the case with zax rx wouldn't the same be said for lectro or wysicom? I use the psc with 3 srb and have no issues with walkies or rf video..

Just curious.

[Derek H]

I never really understood the big warning against using the PSC distro.. I mean isn't that why the QRX 200 has that huge variable filter on the inside?

[Jack Norflus]

Like I said "it depends".

The psc amplifies everything  from 470 to 870 right into the front end of the receiver. Can this cause an RF issue? Like I said "it depends". Can it slightly desensitize the front end? It depends.

[Matt Radlauer]

So senatorial of jack ☺

[Stuart]

I received this information from Ron at PSC when researching the RF multi before purchasing a few years ago. It only amplifies to make up for its own losses.

 

"While the amplifier is wideband from 470 to 870Mhz, the pass through signal (gain through our box) is just barely above unity.  So, your receivers see nearly the exact same signal they would have seen if they were just being operated with their own whip antennas plugged directly in."

[Derek H]

Exactly. The recommendation against the PSC for Zaxcom receivers doesn't seem logical to me. Seems like a pretty neutral component in the RF chain. Maybe I'm missing something..

Or was the issue more about the crosstalk spec of the PSC?

That's not to say you won't get better performance with the MicPlexor2 since it provides further filtering and amplification over unity, which apparently is good for Zaxcom receivers (not the case with Lectro from what I understand).