From the manufacturer
How do you design a cable as good as LMR-400UF and charge less for it?
Hybrid Ultra Flex Coaxial Assembly
What we came up with in fielding MPD-400 is a Hybrid. We have the flexible, non-contaminating jacket of a US Made RG-213 cable. Inside the jacket are Dual Shields of tinned copper braid and metal foil, bonded to a PE Foam Dielectric to maintain high efficiency, VF, and low loss. The center conductor is flexible aluminum clad in pure copper. This is the same construction Times Microwave uses that allows flexibility and excellent signal retention due to skin effect. Did we end up with a cheaper version of LMR-400 UltraFlex * No – we did not. Keep reading – we found that there was NO WAY to get a cable as good as UltraFlex by building it cheaper.
Flexibility versus Performance
We had to make trade-offs. When we got to 85% of the flexibility of LMR-400UF* we hit the wall. We could achieve 90% – but only at a substantial cost increase. This would demonstrate a significant cost savings to LMR-400UF*. We decided in favor of price point. If we could give folks 85% of the flexibility and equal RF performance for half the cost – we felt like we had something.
What is MPD-400PVC?
We had requests from a ton of sailboat owners who wanted a cable with the power handling & Ultra Low Loss of Times Microwave’s LMR-400* without the stiffness, & the ability to form the cable around curved bulkheads and not have it try to spring back straight. These customers needed a flexible low loss cable that would meet the rigid standards for Iridium Satellite Phone installs on their vessels.
MPD-400PVC – ONE coax cable providing the following:
- High Quality, inexpensive coaxial cable with the ultra low loss and power handling of LMR-400*
- Ultra Low Loss from DC to 6 GHz matching Times Microwaves famous LMR-400UF*
- A White jacket for Marine use and a Black jacket for standard applications
- The Extreme Flexibility of LMR-400UF* (Ultra Flex) from -15° to 130° Fahrenheit, but at a low cost
- Provides excellent service for HF, UHF, VHF, Cellular (up to 6 GHz 5G), SatPhone, & WiFi installs
- Meets the Ultra Low Loss requirement set by Iridium for external antenna installations
- Not only manufactured for iridium Satellite Phone requirements but also for Cellular, WiFi, VHF, UHF
MPD Digital 50 Ohm MPD-400PVC Superflex Coaxial Cable
When should you NOT USE MPD-400PVC
- When the cable could be in standing water. (NO PVC Jacketed coax should be direct buried)
- Connecting a jumper from your rotor to your antenna.
- Repeated flexing in the same spot will cause failure before 5 years of use.
- Where the cable will be constantly rubbing up against concrete of other abrasive surfaces.
- For hard Abrasive Surfaces, we recommend PE jacketed cables.
- We recommend LMR-400UF when use will cause repetitive 75 degree or greater bends in the same spot.
- When you need a cable that has the ultimate in flexibility for it’s size. That is LMR-400UF!
MPD-400 series PVC jacketed coax is not LMR
* LMR is a Trade Mark of Times Microwave Systems. MPD-400 series PVC jacketed coax is NOT LMR. We are proud to offer LMR-400 and all other Times Microwave cables to our customers. ALL LMR coax sold by MPD Digital is made by Times Microwave Systems in their factory located in Wallingford, CT.
Applications and Uses for MPD-400PVC
When to use MPD-400PVC
We were extremely successful in MPD-400, fielding a coax that can be used for around 85% of RF requirements. Non-contaminating, UV protected, and ready for 20 years outdoor use. Bottom line – our MPD-400PVC is not as good as LMR-400UF* – it’s Different. For a great many applications it can act as a direct drop in, for some things such as holding it’s shape during installs, it’s much better.
Since MPD-400PVC has the same loss characteristics as LMR-400UF, it can be used in Cellular, WiFi, UHF, VHF, GPS, RFID, and other RF applications. For other applications such as a jumper from the pole to a rotor mast where constant twisting takes place, it is totally unsuited. But for the vast majority of RF installations, it will work, and work well – At a great Price!
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| RG-213 | MPD-400PVC White Jacketed SuperFlex | MPD-400PVC Black Jacketed SuperFlex | Times Microwave LMR-400 UF (UltraFlex) | |
| Overall Diameter (OD) in inches = 0.405 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bend Radius | 1.9 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.2 inches | 1 inch |
| dB Loss per 100 Feet @ 500 MHz | 4.7 dB Loss | 2.85 dB Loss | 2.85 dB Loss | 3.4 dB loss |
| dB Loss per 100 Feet @ 2000 MHz | 10.7 dB Loss | 6.00 dB Loss | 6.00 dB Loss | 7.2 dB Loss |
Keeping You Connected - Quality US Made Cable Assembly
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When You Just Need It to WorkCoax is deceptively simple! In reality the tolerances and purity of the Conductor, Dielectric, and Shield are critical in making a cable last. MPD Digital has been manufacturing cables for over 10 years and we stand behind our commitment for the best USA made coax cable assemblies for the best possible price. They Work and Last! Indoor, Outdoor, and Specialty Applications are all supported. |
When Communication is CriticalThe right cable and manufacturing techniques are Critical when you expect a communications cable to function at 100% of it's Rated Capacity. MPD Digital Cables are one of the choice for critical communications. Current customers include the US Coast Guard, NOAA, NASA, Police and Fire Departments and the US Army and Marine Corps. |
When You Need to Make ContactWhether you are operating at high power for DX or enjoy the challenge of QRP operation, MPD Digital manufactures a cable assembly to meet your needs. We have cable assemblies and jumpers that will assure the lowest signal loss at 5 Watts and others that will support power levels up to 15 Kw. |
When You Need to Comunicate from Off-GridCable assemblies designed for Maximum Signal, Direct Exposure and Portability are a specialty. Cables are built Tough to handle abrasion and the strain of frequent movement. MPD Digital manufactures cables for Outdoor, Marine, and portable use. Jumpers and Antenna cables are available for All types of remote communication needs. |
