Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Kink in RG6

I've read that the turn radius for RG6 cable should be gentle. So, I'm concerned that I may have damaged a cable while running it through some walls. I pulled a little too hard and the cable kinked up like my garden hose. I thought I heard a crack. I straightened it out pretty quickly, but was the damage already done? Should i be concerned or do I just have too much time on my hands?

Thanks

You will find out when you hook it up to a TV. If it was kinked too badly, you may have damaged the inner copper core.

Once the cable has become kinked the damage is done. Straightening it out quickly will not help. Rerun the cable and save yourself a headache.

Replacing the cable is sound advice.

Thanks

You won't have to replace the entire cable if you can cut away the damaged section and put in a coupler -- or two, if you need to extend it to meet both ends.

Cable failure usually results from damage to the dielectric, not the center conductor. The dielectric (the white plastic insulator) is designed to maintain a consistent distance between the outer braided shield and the copper or copper-clad center conductor.

Rick,

Thanks for the advice you've offered in this and other of my postings.

Does the use of a coupler degrade signal intensity?

Guy

"Does the use of a coupler degrade signal intensity?"

Not if you use quality compression connectors and install them properly.

"Does the use of a coupler degrade signal intensity?"

Not if you use quality compression connectors and install them properly.


Just curious:
How does compression connectors, as opposed to crimp connectors, with equal lengths of exposed center conductor, differ in signal quality??
fred

"Does the use of a coupler degrade signal intensity?"

Not if you use quality compression connectors and install them properly.

Who makes high quality compression connectors?

Any standard fitting would work fine. There would be very negligable difference in any that you pick.

Any standard fitting would work fine. There would be very negligable difference in any that you pick.

Mark,

Do you mean among compression fittings, or between compression and crimp-type?

Thanks.

Guy

between them both.

Guy,
Don't fret over connectors, standard crimp f-connectors will work fine.
A DIYer certainly doesn't need to spend 30 or 40 bucks on a good compression tool. Any outside connections can be protected with a little dielectric grease in the connection.

To answer your earlier question, any connection, be it barrel, splitter, diplexer, will knock down signal decibals a smidgen. Not to worry, you'll never see the difference.

fred

fewalt wrote:
"Don't fret over connectors, standard crimp f-connectors will work fine."

Hex crimp connectors work fine for ye olde cable bandwidth of 550 megahertz. As the bandwidth climbs ever higher, the limitations of the hex connector come into play. If I was a DIYer doing any new cabling I would use round compression connectors, if for no other reason than to emulate what the pros are using and try to future proof my work.

"A DIYer certainly doesn't need to spend 30 or 40 bucks on a good compression tool."

I guess it all depends on personal taste and needs. For the DIY projects around the house I never buy the cheapest tools, nor do I buy the top of the line "pro" tools. I have no business owning a $1,000 table saw for the few times a year it gets used, but a $100 saw wouldn't cut it either (pun intended). $275 seemed about right for quality versus price. My compression tool cost $120 and it gets used once or twice a month on the job. A mid-grade $40 compression tool that would be used by a DIYer to make every cable connection in the house wouldn't be out of the question.

I would make sure that the connection is not buried behind the wall. Connections can always be a source of failure.

Good point. A blank face plate could cover access to the connection.

Not worth cutting holes in walls for something that will probably never fail.

A non-professional compression tool for coax can be had for less than $20. I bought an Ideal at one of the big box stores for $19.95. It may not be able to stand up to usage several times a day for years but is perfectly adaquate for homeowner use.

Or you can buy a Zenith kit complete with ten connectors for $8.99 plus shipping.

http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&category%5Fname=3830267&product%5Fid=58%2D11050