Remote attic setup question

Warren

Ok...I'm newbie...in several ways.  First post here and only got my tech and general 8/25/19 and my extra on 9/14/19.

Looking into a base station and I feel and SDR is the way to go.  However, because of HOA and also running cables, I was thinking of how the Flex Radios work remotely.  Has anyone do a remote setup of a Flex Radio to their attic?  I was thinking I can put an antenna(s) in the attic but I could also just have the Flex Radio place there as well.   I could operate the Flex Radio from a Maestro on PC or iPad from remote in my house.

I felt this could also help with having to run any new cables in or outside my house as well.

Any issues to consider doing this?

Gary NC3Z

What environmental controls will you have to keep the Flex happy within it's operating temp range of +32 to +122F?

RoyS

Issues?....a bunch! In addition to Gary's note about the temps in an attic, you also have to consider your antenna being too close to the station (RFI). 

Also humidity in an attic is about the same as outside. Condensation and dust over time will not be kind to your radio.

Even though you would be operating remote, you will, at some point, have to do hands on work on the radio. Cold hands or sweat in the eyes is not my cup of tea.

You are doing the right thing by asking questions on this forum. 

Welcome to the hobby.

Roy - W5TKZ 

K3SF

Ed, K0KC

James Skala

Do you have a friend or family member that is not HOA restricted you could co-locate yourflex at that location and do remote operations from there. I have a station 21 miles away from my primary station that is a remoted station with a fan dipole it works great.

Warren

James Skala

I would shy away from RG6 coax as it is 75 ohms. Stick with the good 50 ohm coax like rg213. I have 50 foot of the following coax and I find it quite excellent. DXE-RG400R006 Coax Cable, RG-400, 20 AWG Stranded SPC Center, PTFE Dielectric, Double-Braided SPC Shield,

Greg N8GD

You can't use the RG-6; it's for cable TV and is 75 ohm impedance, not the 50 ohm you need for the Flex.  I would replace the RG-6 with RG-8X (about the same diameter), and it will easily handle the 100 Watts output from the radio.  You could have multiple antennas in the attic, too, and utilize a remote antenna switch which could be operated over the coax.  You have a lot of possibilities, but keep the Flex in your nice air conditioned shack!

Steve K9ZW

N9VC

Gary NC3Z

I know others will disagree, but I use RG6 Quad shield for my receive antenna array, and I use it for one of my transmit antennas. Yes there is a impedance mismatch, but it's minor and very workable. But you have to make sure you are using high quality RG6.

Warren

Warren

I'm wondering if it's worth just to try to use my current RG6 wiring and see how it goes before running new coax.

Is there a good way to do this?  Is there where those analyzers would be handy?  If so, any one have a good link for doing something like this?

Thanks,
Warren
AJ6LZ

Charlie_KB8CR

K1UO Larry

Mark_WS7M

Bob- W5TX

Warren, first what impedance coax you use is dependent on the antenna you are using. If you are using a dipole, the impedance is 72 ohms and RG6 is a perfect match. The rig will see 72 ohms at the coax input and an antenna tuner can/will transform this to 52 ohms. So there is no reason to avoid the RG6 at least from a theoretical point. The attic antenna will in all probability not be 72 ohms or for that matter 52 ohms. If you have an ATU in your rig it will match a fairly wide range of antenna impedances. In short use either. The results will probably be similar. Bob W5TX

Reggie

Warren

Hi Reggie,

Can you tell me which screwdriver antenna you are using?

Warren
AJ6LZ

Warren

Thanks Bob.  That's good to know.  I was thinking of using dipole antennas.  Seems like I should just try out the current RG6 wiring to see how it goes.  And it has undesired  results, I then could figure out trying to run a cable from my attic to a lower room from the outside.

Warren
AJ6LZ

George

Attic? Forget it!

Find a nice place in your home where you can have a good ole' ham shack where you can love and enjoy it!

73, George K5KG

Dave - WB5NHL

Reggie

Warren,

I used a Hi-Q-5 antenna.

Reggie