[NJARC] Antenna Feedline question

[Scott Roberts]

Gentlemen(and ladies), I direct your attention to the ARRL 2008 "Handbook for Radio Communications", page 22.19

I am currently building the W8NX Multiband, Coax-Trap Dipole"  for 10, 15, 20, 40 & 80M, as this seems to be one which will work for my needs, given the limited (attic) space available, and no trees nearby. I have most of the parts together, and am finishing building the traps.

My question is about the feedline- My Hallicrafters equipment is specifying RG-8, and 50 ohm output: the antenna specs call for 75 ohm through a balun.

I am planning to use a coiled coax balun, (P.21.16, Tab. 21.4) going in, but am still not sure what cable I can use. I was planning to use Radio Shack RG-8 (13AWG Type CL2 E111378A RS#278-1312) which I have a reasonable amount of for this exercise.

 My other options would be RG-6(I don't have the spec# handy) CATV wire for the aerial drops(I have almost a full spool of this stuff in storage, complete with support wire attached) which has dual shielding & is also gel filled(for moisture prevention), or Radio Shack RG-58 coax.

I think the RG-8 would be ok, as that is what the equipment calls for-
What would I be suffering should I use that? The RG-6 seems to have the 75ohm the antenna calls for, however...

I am going to get back to the build and set-up, but am hoping someone can help with this question. I am trying to get the antenna in this weekend, since I have had time to concentrate on radio stuff for a change, and want to get the HF gear ready to go! My max power available (once I find tubes for the HT-41) will be 1500w, although the HT-37 is 300 without it.

As a side note, I built the simple groundplane(for 2M & 70CM) from pages 22.56 & 22.57, and it seems to work quite nicely. :)

Thanks!
Scott