Here's an interesting article from the July/August 2013 issue of The Canadian Amateur on the title subject:
View attachment TCA_2013JulyAug_pgs18_19.pdf
View attachment TCA_2013JulyAug_pgs18_19.pdf
Installing F Connectors on RG-6
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RG6: bigger not always better
I hope all the guys bragging about using quad-shield have properly installed connectors.
Looks like a nightmare.
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This article is required reading for all sat guys 'n gals
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Never tried the quad myself. Regular always seemed fine.
Now I know it was. :up
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I hope all the guys bragging about using quad-shield have properly installed connectors.
Looks like a nightmare.
.
This article is required reading for all sat guys 'n gals
.
Never tried the quad myself. Regular always seemed fine.
Now I know it was. :up
.
Interesting article mostly about CATV. So how does this all relate to FTA and OTA. I'm certainly not going to replace all the quad cable that I have inside and outside the house. Everything is working fine.
Nor will I be redoing all the compression fittings!
Nor will I be redoing all the compression fittings!
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I've been using quad-shield rg-6 for years, have run thousands of feet of it, and use it with Thomas & Betts compression connectors specifically for quad-shield. It all works fine if care is taken to PROPERLY prepare the cable and install the connectors in the first place. If you do it like you are sharpening a pencil with a jack-knife, and crunch it on with any old pliers, you are going to have problems. It's not rocket-science, it just takes care and practice...
Do you think there are separate laws of electronics depending on how you use your RG-6? If everything is working, don't change it. It's when things don't work that you should consider the basics.
I believe that there was a greater chance for signal degradation with the old analog OTA/CATV due to cross talk than with digital.
?I have installed KU many time over the past decade, and in my opinion, quad shielding is not needed for most if not all digital systems.
I could imagine a scenario where a long parallel run of cables where quad shielding might be called for, but I haven't encountered that need yet.
LOL (Probably my next job will make a fool out of me!)
Bob
?I have installed KU many time over the past decade, and in my opinion, quad shielding is not needed for most if not all digital systems.
I could imagine a scenario where a long parallel run of cables where quad shielding might be called for, but I haven't encountered that need yet.
LOL (Probably my next job will make a fool out of me!)
Bob
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I might add - where cable is used for transmitting - proper shielding is a must. CATV is transmitting power way in excess of our LNBs when distributing their signal throughout their system.
?Bob
?Bob
I found a run of quad shield RG6 at a hamfest a couple of years ago. It seems fine and I use it for my second FTA system in the hamshack, thinking it would survive longer (and shield the receiver/switches/LNBFs better) from high level RF nearby. Seems to have worked so far. It did take me almost an hour to get the connectors installed properly though the first time. At least I hope I got them on properly... I can see why the installers would be having trouble with this type of cabling, it is very time consuming to deal with when they need to get the jobs done quickly to move on to the next.
The Bell installer set up their dish with standard (non-quad) cable, no name on the jacket. I asked him about quad shield cable and I don't really think he was aware of such a thing. Local hardware store sells Commscope cable (they are Shaw dealers) and it is standard dual shield as well. I have a few runs of their cable and it works just fine and connectors are easy to install.
The Bell installer set up their dish with standard (non-quad) cable, no name on the jacket. I asked him about quad shield cable and I don't really think he was aware of such a thing. Local hardware store sells Commscope cable (they are Shaw dealers) and it is standard dual shield as well. I have a few runs of their cable and it works just fine and connectors are easy to install.
Quad shield and solid copper core will make a difference on longer cable runs with a return signal providing DiSEqC commands for motors and switches.
Some years ago, had a motorized 90cm with 2x1 DiSEqC switch at 250-275' that had intermittent motor/switch control issues until an upgrade to RG6 Quad. I personally use quad shield for terrestrial runs over 100 feet and for KU fixed over 200 or motorized over 150. Might be overkill, but I don't enjoy rerunning cables or trouble shooting flaky DiSEqC.
Don't seem to have any issues properly installing compression fittings. Working with the cable at room temperature+ makes it easier and haven't had to work in low temperature environments for several years. Use the appropriate quality fittings, stripper and compression tool. This article seems to indicate the problems are usually related to using the wrong fitting or not prepping correctly and not related to the RG6 Quad Shielding.
Some years ago, had a motorized 90cm with 2x1 DiSEqC switch at 250-275' that had intermittent motor/switch control issues until an upgrade to RG6 Quad. I personally use quad shield for terrestrial runs over 100 feet and for KU fixed over 200 or motorized over 150. Might be overkill, but I don't enjoy rerunning cables or trouble shooting flaky DiSEqC.
Don't seem to have any issues properly installing compression fittings. Working with the cable at room temperature+ makes it easier and haven't had to work in low temperature environments for several years. Use the appropriate quality fittings, stripper and compression tool. This article seems to indicate the problems are usually related to using the wrong fitting or not prepping correctly and not related to the RG6 Quad Shielding.
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