by szilagyi » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:53:35
I am just trying to get an updated list of the top brands of RG-6 quad
shield coax cable. I have seen posts from a few years back mentioning
Belden, Carol, and Commscope, but I just wanted to get an updated
list. I have seen Carol and Zenith brands at local stores recently,
are these any good? Mainly going to use this cable for running feeds
from HDTV & analog TV antennas in the walls of a house.
Thank you very much for all feedback,
--
Chris
by Phil » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 04:17:08
Just do not worry about the cable; put 1/2" or preferably 3/4" ducts in theQuote:> Hello,
> I am just trying to get an updated list of the top brands of RG-6 quad
> shield coax cable. I have seen posts from a few years back mentioning
> Belden, Carol, and Commscope, but I just wanted to get an updated
> list. I have seen Carol and Zenith brands at local stores recently,
> are these any good? Mainly going to use this cable for running feeds
> from HDTV & analog TV antennas in the walls of a house.
> Thank you very much for all feedback,
> --
> Chris
Never place RF (or any) cable directly in concrete or masonry. If, for some
reason, you end up with a bad cable (soaked with rain water for instance)
you just have to pull it out and replace it. So you don't really need to go
for top brands and overrated and expensive cables.
If you intend to place short stretches (less than 10 or 15 meters) for the
VHF range, use RG6 with solid polyethylene dielectric. If you have to place
important lengths for UHF of satellite MF bands, use RG11 with polystyrene
or foam dielectric. I used train loads of Commscope cable without to many
problems. They gave weird names to their cables like 6ST??? for RG6 type and
11ST??? for RG11. Always use RF cable with copper clad core as they work
best with F type connectors. Stay away from jacketted cables with "flooding
compoud", even for underground placement.
by clift » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 07:43:47
--
Music hath charms to soothe the savage ***.
That's why stereo has two channels.
by Chris Friese » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 08:11:38
>>I am just trying to get an updated list of the top brands of RG-6 quad
>>shield coax cable.
I built a component cable set for my front projector out of the Canare
V3-5CFB, which is basically similar to the L-5CFB but has three cables
wrapped together in a single jacket. Works very well.
Chris
by Paul Frankli » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 10:50:22
>My experience with a few Carol Cable products (including coax) has been
>good. I would consider that the Zenith brand name appears to be rented
>out to the best bidder these days (peruse a.h.r for recent stories about
>Heath/Zenith products) and expect that the manufacturer spent most of the
>cost of making that coax on the marketing of that coax.
HTH,
Paul
by Jerry Marte » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 12:27:04
>>> I am just trying to get an updated list of the top brands of RG-6 quad
>>> shield coax cable. I have seen posts from a few years back mentioning
>>> Belden, Carol, and Commscope, but I just wanted to get an updated
>>> list. I have seen Carol and Zenith brands at local stores recently,
>>> are these any good? Mainly going to use this cable for running feeds
>>> from HDTV & analog TV antennas in the walls of a house.
>>My experience with a few Carol Cable products (including coax) has been
>>good. I would consider that the Zenith brand name appears to be rented
>>out to the best bidder these days (peruse a.h.r for recent stories about
>>Heath/Zenith products) and expect that the manufacturer spent most of the
>>cost of making that coax on the marketing of that coax.
> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
> HTH,
> Paul
What is the problem with "twist-ons"? I dont question your judgement,
but I have found them to be good for my 2 meter application.
Now I am considering doing some work at 2 GHz. This is a good time for me
to learn about cable and F connectors.
Thanks
Jerry
by Paul Frankli » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:23:03
Two reasons I don't like twist-ons. First, I don't find them to makeQuote:>> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
>> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
>> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
>> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
>> HTH,
>> Paul
> Hi Paul
> What is the problem with "twist-ons"? I dont question your judgement,
>but I have found them to be good for my 2 meter application.
> Now I am considering doing some work at 2 GHz. This is a good time for me
>to learn about cable and F connectors.
> Thanks
> Jerry
Second, and I admit I don't have network analyzer plots to back this
up or anything, I've always found them to make a mess of the shields
when you twist them. That could lead to more of an impedance bump at
the connector than with other types. Probably not an issue at 2
meters, but more important as the frequency goes up.
Paul
by Ian Jackso » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 21:14:58
>>> HTH,
>>> Paul
>> Hi Paul
>> What is the problem with "twist-ons"? I dont question your judgement,
>>but I have found them to be good for my 2 meter application.
>> Now I am considering doing some work at 2 GHz. This is a good time for me
>>to learn about cable and F connectors.
>> Thanks
>> Jerry
>Two reasons I don't like twist-ons. First, I don't find them to make
>that great of a mechanical connection and can therefore be pulled off
>the cable fairly easily.
While the connector thread will crush the outer somewhat (causing a veryQuote:>Second, and I admit I don't have network analyzer plots to back this
>up or anything, I've always found them to make a mess of the shields
>when you twist them. That could lead to more of an impedance bump at
>the connector than with other types. Probably not an issue at 2
>meters, but more important as the frequency goes up.
Ian.
--
by Al Dyk » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 21:29:32
OT: I inherited break/fix responsibility (billable by the hour) on a
business thinwire lan that was installed by a TV cable guy. He used
twist-ons and no crimp rings. That site paid my rent for a couple
years, until I eventually replaced all the connectors with proper
ends.
For that reason, I've always looked fondly on twist-ons, in a bizzare
way.
--
Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. A Proud signature since 2001
by szilag.. » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 22:18:26
> >My experience with a few Carol Cable products (including coax) has been
> >good. I would consider that the Zenith brand name appears to be rented
> >out to the best bidder these days (peruse a.h.r for recent stories about
> >Heath/Zenith products) and expect that the manufacturer spent most of the
> >cost of making that coax on the marketing of that coax.
> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
> HTH,
> Paul
--
Chris
by GROUP MODERATO » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 22:22:33
it not that they are so bad it just that the compression fittings are theQuote:> What are the common issues with the crimp-on connectors? I've been
> using them here and there mainly because they are cheap. So far I
> haven't really noticed any problems, but maybe it's because I haven't
> used anything else to see an improvement. Thanks!!
by Paul Frankli » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:14:38
>What's the diff between a compression tool and a crimp tool?
>OT: I inherited break/fix responsibility (billable by the hour) on a
>business thinwire lan that was installed by a TV cable guy. He used
>twist-ons and no crimp rings. That site paid my rent for a couple
>years, until I eventually replaced all the connectors with proper
>ends.
>For that reason, I've always looked fondly on twist-ons, in a bizzare
>way.
Here's a picture:
http://www.redwaveradio.com/%5Fid=411&sku=41077
They are also available with seals for water resistant outdoor use.
(In fact, the picture is of a connector with seals.)
Here's what the tool looks like:
http://www.redwaveradio.com/%5Fid=1403&sku=38011
Try 'em, you'll like 'em!
Paul
by Ed Nielse » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:21:15
Compression fittings may cost a little more for the connector and the
installation tools, but cost less in labor (time) to install. Not to
mention the materials/time spent in replacing the twist-on connectors with
real ones when they don't work properly.
--
CIAO!
Ed N.
>>>> I am just trying to get an updated list of the top brands of RG-6 quad
>>>> shield coax cable. I have seen posts from a few years back mentioning
>>>> Belden, Carol, and Commscope, but I just wanted to get an updated
>>>> list. I have seen Carol and Zenith brands at local stores recently,
>>>> are these any good? Mainly going to use this cable for running feeds
>>>> from HDTV & analog TV antennas in the walls of a house.
>>>My experience with a few Carol Cable products (including coax) has been
>>>good. I would consider that the Zenith brand name appears to be rented
>>>out to the best bidder these days (peruse a.h.r for recent stories about
>>>Heath/Zenith products) and expect that the manufacturer spent most of the
>>>cost of making that coax on the marketing of that coax.
>> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
>> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
>> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
>> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
>> HTH,
>> Paul
> Hi Paul
> What is the problem with "twist-ons"? I dont question your judgement,
> but I have found them to be good for my 2 meter application.
> Now I am considering doing some work at 2 GHz. This is a good time for
> me to learn about cable and F connectors.
> Thanks
> Jerry
by Al Dyk » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:24:40
>>>On Fri, 06 Apr 2007 03:27:04 GMT, "Jerry Martes"
>>><snip>
>>>>> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
>>>>> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
>>>>> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
>>>>> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
>>What's the diff between a compression tool and a crimp tool?
>>OT: I inherited break/fix responsibility (billable by the hour) on a
>>business thinwire lan that was installed by a TV cable guy. He used
>>twist-ons and no crimp rings. That site paid my rent for a couple
>>years, until I eventually replaced all the connectors with proper
>>ends.
>>For that reason, I've always looked fondly on twist-ons, in a bizzare
>>way.
>The compression fitting have a captive sleeve on the cable end of the
>fitting. You strip the cable more or less as usual, slide it up
>through the connector as you would with a crimp type. But then the
>compression tool presses the sleeve up into the body of the connector.
>The inside is tapered, so when the sleeve is pressed in, it compresses
>against the cable, locking it tightly into place.
>Here's a picture:
>http://www.redwaveradio.com/%5Fid=411&sku=41077
>They are also available with seals for water resistant outdoor use.
>(In fact, the picture is of a connector with seals.)
>Here's what the tool looks like:
>http://www.redwaveradio.com/%5Fid=1403&sku=38011
>Try 'em, you'll like 'em!
>Paul
I actually have tools, some cable, and a bag of ends that fit that
description. I just considered them standard tools and parts for
serious work. They came to me by accident. I was the "customer" for a
a pre-ethernet LAN built on CATV plant that spanned a 40 floor
building.
--
Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. A Proud signature since 2001
by Ed Nielse » Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:32:19
I've replaced hex-crimp fittings on DirecTV systems because of hex-crimp
fittings which were causing some channels to not work.
Go to http://www.redwaveradio.com/
Pages 12 & 13 illustrates why you don't want to use hex-crimp fittings.
--
CIAO!
Ed N.
>> >My experience with a few Carol Cable products (including coax) has been
>> >good. I would consider that the Zenith brand name appears to be rented
>> >out to the best bidder these days (peruse a.h.r for recent stories about
>> >Heath/Zenith products) and expect that the manufacturer spent most of
>> >the
>> >cost of making that coax on the marketing of that coax.
>> Belden, Alpha and Carol are all good. As important as the cable are
>> the connectors. The compression type are the way to go, IMO. Invest
>> in a good QS *** and a compression tool. Don't bother with crimp
>> tools and don't even think about twist-on.
>> HTH,
>> Paul
> What are the common issues with the crimp-on connectors? I've been
> using them here and there mainly because they are cheap. So far I
> haven't really noticed any problems, but maybe it's because I haven't
> used anything else to see an improvement. Thanks!!
> --
> Chris