04 - Calculating Line Loss
The Longer You Run Cable, The More Signal You Lose. Here's a Way to Evaluate Line Loss.
When installing gear to amplify your mobile signal, so-called "line loss" - the signal you lose by running lines over long distances on your boat - is the enemy. Want to see how line loss works in action? Go to this line loss calculator.
Now compare RG-8 cable against the recommended LMR-400 cable for 1,900 MHz at 50 feet. You should find that RG-8 has a line loss of 5.4 dB at this distance - and that is more than the typical 4 dB cellular antenna will provide in amplification. The line loss negates the utility of the antenna.
Substitute LMR-400 cable, however, and you have a line loss of only 2.9 dB, meaning the 4 dB antenna will add some amplification. As you can see, line loss really matters!
This calculator, available from TimesMicrowave.com, can estimate line loss.
Series index
Mobile Phones on Boats
- 01 - Introduction
- 02 - Boost Your Signal
- 03 - Locating Cell Towers
- 04 - Calculating Line Loss
- 05 - Navigation
- 06 - Adding a GPS
- 07 - Memory Cards
- 08 - Weather Forecasts
- 09 - Tides and Currents
- 10 - Other Applications
- 11 - Connecting a Laptop
- 12 - How to Buy a Phone
- 13 - Palm OS
- 14 - Windows Mobile
- 15 - Apple's iPhone
- 16 - Blackberry & Symbian
- 17 - Bluetooth Headsets
- 18 - Power Accessories
- 19 - The Bahamas
- GLOSSARY