CatSnoutSoup
NES Member
I have always wondered if this forum had a "What did you do..." thread like others on NES.
A search appears to show that it does not.
So I will start off...
Today in the shack I began manufacturing coax jumpers using RF Industries RFU-508X crimp connectors on Ventev/Terrawave TWS-240 cable. This cable is a slightly less expensive electrical equivalent to Times Microwave LMR-240, and is rated for 1.5KW at 30 MHz, unlike similar sized common RG-8X cable.
I should note though that although it has a 0.240" diameter with a 2.5" repeated bend radius it is still pretty stiff cable with its solid copper conductor.
If you really need something more flexible Times manufactures LMR-240-UF meaning "Ultra Flex" with a stranded copper conductor. However it has a TPE jacket which is softer than the PE jacket on the TWS-240 (LMR-240) and some people do not like the way it cuts and handles. I am not using it because it is more expensive so I'm skinflinting © @drgrant
I use an RF Industries RFA-4005-20 crimp tool (frame) and RFA-4005-01 die set (0.255" body, 0.069" conductor) for these RFU-508X connectors on RG-8X type cables. I also have an RFA-4005-02 die set for RG-8 type cables. I have a good coax prep tool for RG-8 type cable, but I really can't find anything useful for this size cable so I do it manually with a utility knife and a new Lenox TiN coated blade.
The generic adhesive lined heat shrink tube is just a finishing touch. For cables I have a small comically named "Flower Ocean" heat gun with deflector that I got off Amazon and it works really well.
So, what did you do in the shack today?

A search appears to show that it does not.
So I will start off...
Today in the shack I began manufacturing coax jumpers using RF Industries RFU-508X crimp connectors on Ventev/Terrawave TWS-240 cable. This cable is a slightly less expensive electrical equivalent to Times Microwave LMR-240, and is rated for 1.5KW at 30 MHz, unlike similar sized common RG-8X cable.

I should note though that although it has a 0.240" diameter with a 2.5" repeated bend radius it is still pretty stiff cable with its solid copper conductor.
If you really need something more flexible Times manufactures LMR-240-UF meaning "Ultra Flex" with a stranded copper conductor. However it has a TPE jacket which is softer than the PE jacket on the TWS-240 (LMR-240) and some people do not like the way it cuts and handles. I am not using it because it is more expensive so I'm skinflinting © @drgrant
I use an RF Industries RFA-4005-20 crimp tool (frame) and RFA-4005-01 die set (0.255" body, 0.069" conductor) for these RFU-508X connectors on RG-8X type cables. I also have an RFA-4005-02 die set for RG-8 type cables. I have a good coax prep tool for RG-8 type cable, but I really can't find anything useful for this size cable so I do it manually with a utility knife and a new Lenox TiN coated blade.

The generic adhesive lined heat shrink tube is just a finishing touch. For cables I have a small comically named "Flower Ocean" heat gun with deflector that I got off Amazon and it works really well.

So, what did you do in the shack today?
