What is your new sarellite project for this weekend?

[Jim-S]

Originally Posted by pmb1010

before you spend a lot of money...

(I didnt read back msg to check to check if this was suggested) but did you pull the motor from the mount, and put it closer to the box, effectively making the cable much shorter to put cable out of the picture?
(or take the box closer to the motor)

If the motor still has problems when theres 10 feet of cable, well it might be the cable. But I'll have to add 110 feet of cable should be no issue for moving a motor, unless it's really really bad.

See my quote back to rainman.
Thank you---Jim-s

[rainman]

Originally Posted by Jim-S

I would like to find a 40' piece of solid copper core and try it. Without having to buy 1000'.
Thanks---Jim

have you checked Radio shack they sometimes will sell it by the foot.

[Jim-S]

Originally Posted by rainman

have you checked Radio shack they sometimes will sell it by the foot.

Hi....I checked Radio Shack, they sell only pre-cut lengths with connectors on it.
I did find somthing interesting, the coax I have been using is new, right out of the box....what I did this weekend (11/03),I found some coax that I had, other than what I have been using and set it all up again at the dish and it worked 100% so at least I proved that the motor and the receive are good. I'm going to replace all the coax.
Jim-s

[pmb1010]

I'd cut the ends of the coax and re-install new compression fit ones (if you can find someone with a tool).

Cheaper than replacing all the coax. Even factory installed ends can be bad.
And you'll never know *which* end could be defective.

If this doesnt work, well now you'll have some coax with at least 1 good end on it (assuming you cut it up) to make jumpers

EDIT ----- never mind. reading back, I did see you did use some compression fittings on the ends already.
Oh well. Be sure to let us know the results. Many will learn from your experiences.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by Jim-S

Hi....I checked Radio Shack, they sell only pre-cut lengths with connectors on it.
I did find somthing interesting, the coax I have been using is new, right out of the box....what I did this weekend (11/03),I found some coax that I had, other than what I have been using and set it all up again at the dish and it worked 100% so at least I proved that the motor and the receive are good. I'm going to replace all the coax.
Jim-s

Not all Radio Shacks are created alike. I have 3 in my area (30 mile radius). Go into one, and ask for an item I know RS sells, and they've never heard of it. Even tried looking up in their computer, and they swear it doesn't exist. Go to another RS, and they have it in stock, and can't understand why the other store didn't have it.
Re cable, many Radio Shacks at least used to have a back room where they have spools of cable that you can buy by the foot, however other stores just sell the pre-packaged stuff in the box. It's been several years since I've bought cable from the back room, so I'm not sure they still do that, but knowing how one RS can differ greatly from another, I'd recommend trying another store.
Myself, I use so much cable, that I bought a bulk spool from Sadoun a couple years ago, and when I need any length, I just pull out the length I need. I've long ago paid for the spool based on what I would have paid at RS buying the pre-packaged stuff. I assume Sadoun still sell the bulk spools?

[rainman]

thats what I did Bill bought a 1000 foot roll from Sadoun when bought that way it comes out to about 8 cents a foot. that way I have always got cable for a new project.

[Jim-S]

Originally Posted by rainman

thats what I did Bill bought a 1000 foot roll from Sadoun when bought that way it comes out to about 8 cents a foot. that way I have always got cable for a new project.

Hello again...I bought new coax Belden copper core 60% braid. Put in the new coax used snap&seal (Thomas@Betts) connectors (no barrels, direct dish to receiver) and guess what my problem persists. So today when I got home from work I setup my equipment at the dish with 10' piece of coax....it work perfect. I changed to a 50' piece of coax, the problem was back...works with 10' but not with 50'. I called Sadoun and was told that my 120' +/- is beyond the limit, this can't be right is it. Asked why it wouldn't work at 50', couldn't answer that. She said I could send in the equipment and they would test it. I suppose thats the best they can do.
Jim

[Sadoun]

Originally Posted by Jim-S

The coax I'm using is West Penn 6100 copper coated steel 100% bifoil, aluminum braid % unknown...it's rated for CATV-CL2.

That could explain why you have problems with the cable. It is rated for CATV not Satellite. You should get an RG6 cable.

[rainman]

Originally Posted by Jim-S

Hello again...I bought new coax Belden copper core 60% braid. Put in the new coax used snap&seal (Thomas@Betts) connectors (no barrels, direct dish to receiver) and guess what my problem persists. So today when I got home from work I setup my equipment at the dish with 10' piece of coax....it work perfect. I changed to a 50' piece of coax, the problem was back...works with 10' but not with 50'. I called Sadoun and was told that my 120' +/- is beyond the limit, this can't be right is it. Asked why it wouldn't work at 50', couldn't answer that. She said I could send in the equipment and they would test it. I suppose thats the best they can do.
Jim

shouldn't be a problem of running 50 feet I am running a DG 240 on a 100" of coax with no problems. I am using the Perfect 10 coax sold by Sadoun.

[elgemcdlf]

I am running between 150' & 200' with the RG6 Sadoun sells and crimp on ends with no problems.

[rainman]

Originally Posted by Jim-S

Hello again...I bought new coax Belden copper core 60% braid. Put in the new coax used snap&seal (Thomas@Betts) connectors (no barrels, direct dish to receiver) and guess what my problem persists. So today when I got home from work I setup my equipment at the dish with 10' piece of coax....it work perfect. I changed to a 50' piece of coax, the problem was back...works with 10' but not with 50'. I called Sadoun and was told that my 120' +/- is beyond the limit, this can't be right is it. Asked why it wouldn't work at 50', couldn't answer that. She said I could send in the equipment and they would test it. I suppose thats the best they can do.
Jim

this may be a silly question but are you using the special tool to strip the cable?

[Jim-S]

Originally Posted by rainman

this may be a silly question but are you using the special tool to strip the cable?

Yes I use an Ideal stripper and an Ideal compression tool. I've been doing coax connectors for years at work (electrician), Ham Radio other hobbies I always check the ends before I put the end on. What I might try is make up different lengths of coax and see at what footage it fails......I can't believe I'm having this much trouble it not rocket science. Can I put an amplifier in line when using a motor. Or can I test the voltage at the receiver and then attach the coax and check it at the dish. Would this be a valid test. Another thing that I do is do a continuity test on the coax before I use it. Another thing I have done is disconnect the coax at the receiver for a period of time, sometimes a day put it back on and the dish will move maybe one to four times and quit...
Jim

[Jim-S]

Originally Posted by Sadoun

That could explain why you have problems with the cable. It is rated for CATV not Satellite. You should get an RG6 cable.

Thanks for your reply, the West Penn coax is RG6...but I have replaced all of it with Belden RG6 coax 1829AC which is satellite rated solid copper core 60% braid coax and I'm still having the problem.
Jim