About coaxial cables

DruzeTito · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 09:09 PM

When setting up my satellite, do I have to use a special coaxial cable or can I use my regular Cable Tv cable?

stal4 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 10:48 PM

Hello Druze,
The regular cable from the cable company will work. Usually any video cable will work as long as its a 75 ohm inpedancecable. However most of the installed cable is either RG59 OR RG59U thinner diameter which will work but the db loss increases with higher frequencis and it is really better to spend a little more money per foot and buy the RG6 cable which has a lower db loss and noise ratio. This is always better especially with higher frequencies like the c and ku band reception.
Its also good to buy yourself a crimping tool, cable trimmer/stripper for RG6/RG59 and bulk cable and make it yourself since it will pay off in the long run if you do lots of projects like I do, so the savings shows after a while. Just be sure that you DONT get cable with 50 ohms impedance, it is usually used for two-way radio communications.
Hope this helps. You should be able to find you an electronics parts store in your town. Radio Shack is too expensive.
art

DruzeTito · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 11:20 PM

Excellent info, thank you. I think Home Depot will have some cables that are probably cheaper than RadioShack.

DruzeTito · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 11:22 PM

By the way, will it matter if I distance my Dish far away from my Receiver? Will I need amplifiers? My property is pretty big, and there are lots of trees and branches and my choice of installation site is limited.

#5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 12:02 AM

you need amplifier for 30 feet and up. they sell free cheap at ebay. I saw 2 amplifiers for $11.50

bobkat · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanjiabdou

you need amplifier for 30 feet and up. they sell free cheap at ebay. I saw 2 amplifiers for $11.50

Hmmmm????

Did you make a typo?? Perhaps you meant 300 feet. Either that or else you work for the company making those amplifiers!! :lol:

kat

Sadoun · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 01:04 AM

Bobkat is right. You don't need an amplifier for 30' cable...hehehe

Up to a 100' you won't notice any loss. 100'-200' you might be ok if there are no splitters, switches, or cuts in the cable. Beyond that you will need an inline amplifier.

See item 7 here http://sadoun.com/Sat/Order/Switches.htm

stal4 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 03:05 AM

Sadoun correct! (once again!)
I have a garage apt or to say experiment lab and have run cable from the main house to the back about 115 feet. I dosent matter, but the type of calble has some effect. Better to use RG6 for anyting as a standard. (I figured out this physically, when I did a hook up with rg59u, and it didnt work too well so I upgrade to rg6 and problem solved!!!!!!
arthur

stal4 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 03:11 AM

DREG, DONT EVEN GO TO HOME DEPOT, I HAVE CHECKED their prices and they are as high as radio shack. Look for a electronic components parts store and even look more in your town. You will be surprised at the prices, even order a catalog from MCM ELECTRONICS, they have decent prices on some stuff, but here in town I get even a better deal on some stuff!. Its just HOW BAD YOU WANT IT.!
art

bobkat · #10 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 08:59 AM

Giving my druthers I would take the Rat Shack cable over the Home Depot stuff any day. Some of the Home Depot coax appears not that well made.

And stal4 is right; using RG6 instead of RG59 for satellite is much more important than worrying about inline amplifiers.

kat

#11 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 12:13 PM

I meant 30 m about 100 feet