[Elecraft] Favorite pre-assembled BNC/Coax cable vendor?

[G3VVT at aol.com]

One item to be sure to check when buying pre-assembled patch leads is that  
they are 50 ohms and not 75 ohm video leads as there are plenty of those in the 
 market.
 
Having worked in communications operations and maintenance for many years I  
prefer to roll my own as you can make up exactly what is needed. Use crimp  
connectors if you have the correct tool and dies for that type of connector or  
pressure sleeve connectors if you don't. The pressure sleeve  connectors are a 
little more expensive than the normal type, but are far  superior in braid 
connection and clamping. Most communication systems  installed in recent years 
use crimped connectors for consistent  quality of connection by removing the 
need for soldering the center pin which  can be a frequent cause of failure.
 
Have made up a lot of patch leads for repeaters and the necessary antenna  
filters over the years where it is absolutely essential to use double shielded  
coax cable for the purpose.
 
RG214 seems the best for the heavier duty patch leads, which  is similar to 
the single shielded RG8/RG213/UR67 or for lighter duty  patch leads, RG223U 
which is similar to RG58. These double shielded coax  cables are silver plated 
and cost at least twice the price of the  normal single shielded coax, but it 
does make superior patch leads. There  are other light duty double shielded coax 
cables available, though tend not to  be as easily available and more 
expensive.
 
Bob, G3VVT
K2 #4168