Need to replace Coax?

[ColdCase]

I currently have a SD DVR at the far end of the house and will be replacing it with a HR20/21. I’m not sure about the specs on the existing coax, its good quality but maybe 10 years old. I don’t want to mess with running new RG6 now (an installer is not going to fish new cables through like I want). I connected up my H20 and found nearly identical signal levels (low 90s) on 103b as those indicated when the H20 is connected at the original upgraded RG6 location.

So it looks like signal levels are fine for 103 but what about longer term use? Will I do damage to the HR20/21 or LNBs if the power load is excessive? Cable run is about 50 feet to a Zinwell WB68 and another 20 feet via RG6 to the Slimline.

I've searched and seen answers all over the place, but usually in terms of a new installation. It seems that if the signal level is good, it will be OK.

[randyk47]

If you ran all the systems tests and also got good signal strength then I'd say let it be for the time being. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Canis Lupus]

Is there any part of the cable where you can read what kind of cable it is and its description? There are some cable gurus here who'd be able to tell you if it's rated. If you can see what kind it is and post here that will help.

[techrep]

I think that you will be ok, at under 100 feet, even with copper-clad.

[donshan]

I have a old/new RG-6 wiring situation too. My original Family room RG-6 cables were installed in 2000 when we remodeled and the electrician ran three regular cable grade (UL rated CATVX 18 ga wire-RG 6)- cables for the sat dish and my roof antenna. In June D* installed a new HR20-700 and 5 Lnb dish and it all is receiving the new MPEG-4 HD just fine using the old cables. I verified the old cables were solid copper center wire, which is only an issue about getting power to the dish, especially on longer runs. Copper was much cheaper in 2000 so older wire is less likely to be the steel clad we see today ( copper 70 cents/lb in 2000 vs almost $4.00 lb today). I would check to be sure the old wiring is not RG-59. It should be labeled every couple of feet.

I just added new cables through our attic to the our BR and used top grade Belden solid copper center 3 Ghz RG-6 cables for a new HR20-700. D* connected the new HR20 to the dish this week using the new cables and also did a tweak of the dish alignment.

The transponder readings on both HR 20s on all sats including 103(b) are almost identical in the 83 to 100 range on all sats ( with most in the 90s) for both the old and new RG6 cable sets indicating the older RG6 is fine. Both runs from the dish to HR20s are about 50 ft.