Identifying the Spaghetti

[superman24]

I purchased a house last year that was to my pleasure over-wired. I currently have a wall jack in the bedroom that has a SAT and OTA jack which a H20 is hooked up. I want to upgrade to HR 20,21. I have an additional covered wall plate that I opened up and found another line ready. I currently have a Zinwell 6x16 and have 3 ports open, so I"d like to plug this line in so I can run the HR with dual tuners with OTA (I know HR-21's need the OTA add on).

My problem is that in my utility room where all (I mean ALL) the wires come in. I have about 16 cables that have not been hooked up. I know one of them is the extra line to the bedroom. Any advice on how I can actually identify this line so I can plug into the multis-witch and get this line hot?

Sorry, this is a rookie question, but just want to plan for this upgrade.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[hfgarris]

The best way to identify cables is with fancy test equipment...

However, there are cheaper although more labor intensive ways to figure the mess out.

One way is with two people and a cheap walkie-talkie. Simply plug one end into a tv, and plug the other ends one-by-one onto a signal source (cable, antenna, etc) until a picture appears. Then label that cable.

Another simple way is to unplug all cables at both ends. Then screw a 75 ohm terminating plug on the room outlet. Then use a ohm meter to measure each cable for either an open or 75 ohm resistance. Some meters may have a beeper to detect short (low resistance ie. 75 ohm) vs. open which makes it much easier and quicker.

-howard

[samrs]

Satellite receivers put out 13~18v over the 771 searching for satellite signal jack. Hook this jack to your cable then go to your utility room and search for volts. Some folks use a voltmeter, some use a pocket toner an some use their ice cream licker.

[eakes]

The simplest way is to short the shield and center conductor of the cable in the bedroom, then go to the utility room and locate the unused cable that has the short.
How do I do this? On the cable in the bedroom strip about 1/2 inch of the outer covering, pull the exposed shield back and cutoff the dielectric material surrounding the center conductor (don't cutoff the center conductor while doing this), then twist the shield and center conductor together. You can use an alligator clip or a spring loaded clothspin to hold the two leads together.
How do I detect the short? The simplest way is to use an ohmmeter. If you don't have one you can get an inexpensive one at a number of places (RS, Sears, HomeDepot). Use the low Ohms scale (a number of these units have a tone that will sound when the two probes are connected together) and test between the shield and center conductor of the unused coaxes in the utility room. When you get a low reading (or tone) you have found the cable!

[houskamp]

or throw a terminator on one end and look for the 75ohm resistance with a ohm meter..

[gen2rx7]

There is another way you can test the cable without any fancy tools. I have had to do this when my pocket toner took a dump. It is not the best way but it works and works well.

Hook the new cable to the sat in on your H20 then go to your junction box. Here's the fun part. Lick the cables that are not connected to your switch. On the center conductor. When you find the cable going to that reciever you will get a shock a little stronger than a 9 volt battery. Either 13 or 18 volts.

Do this at your own risk, I assume no liability for any incedents that may arise from this act.

But it does work, I do it quite ofter if I am too lazy to walk to my truck and get my pocket toner

[drx792]

There is another way you can test the cable without any fancy tools. I have had to do this when my pocket toner took a dump. It is not the best way but it works and works well.

Hook the new cable to the sat in on your H20 then go to your junction box. Here's the fun part. Lick the cables that are not connected to your switch. On the center conductor. When you find the cable going to that reciever you will get a shock a little stronger than a 9 volt battery. Either 13 or 18 volts.

Do this at your own risk, I assume no liability for any incedents that may arise from this act.

But it does work, I do it quite ofter if I am too lazy to walk to my truck and get my pocket toner

i've done that before.....my mouth was numb and had a nice taste of copper afterwords :lol.......but hte pocket toners are relatively cheap arent they?

dave29 gave me a link to one that was like $15

[paulman182]

There is another way you can test the cable without any fancy tools. I have had to do this when my pocket toner took a dump. It is not the best way but it works and works well.
Hook the new cable to the sat in on your H20 then go to your junction box. Here's the fun part. Lick the cables that are not connected to your switch. On the center conductor. When you find the cable going to that reciever you will get a shock a little stronger than a 9 volt battery. Either 13 or 18 volts.
Do this at your own risk, I assume no liability for any incedents that may arise from this act.
But it does work, I do it quite ofter if I am too lazy to walk to my truck and get my pocket toner

Let's hope there is not a ground problem in that house and you provide the ground for the 120V line, thru your tongue...

Really, multimeters good enough for this purpose sell for $7.:)

[Bill Broderick]

Why not just plug the TV end of the unused line into the H20 and then, one by one plug the unconnected cables in the utility closet into the multi-switch until you find the one that you're looking for?

[bobnielsen]

Lots of ways to skin that cat. Don't forget to label the cables once you identify them.

[BkwSoft]

Lots of ways to skin that cat. Don't forget to label the cables once you identify them.

+1 on this. Don't underestimate the time saved with a properly labeled installation.

I have all of my outlets numbered at the wall plate. The numbers then match up with the position on the patch panel in the basement closet. The patch panel may sound exsessive but it sure beats going through 40+ loose wires looking for the one you want.

[dave29]

just buy another wb616 and 4 splitter and hook everything up:lol:

[superman24]

+1 on this. Don't underestimate the time saved with a properly labeled installation.

I have all of my outlets numbered at the wall plate. The numbers then match up with the position on the patch panel in the basement closet. The patch panel may sound exsessive but it sure beats going through 40+ loose wires looking for the one you want.
Good call. If I build the house I would of made sure these were all identified. I'll probably start by plugging in the H20 to the dead jack, go the Zinwell 6x16 and try each port till I get picture. Just have the wife on the cellular at the TV til I get it live.

My last thing is the wire in the wall is bare. I'm a 10 year sub to DTV and don't have the crimpers and RG6 tips. Plus, I need a threaded wall mount connection to put into the wall plate. So, I'll probably just go out to Radio Shack and purchase the tools to do this right. I plan on being with DTV for life so I'm sure I"ll use them now and then.

Thanks Everyone for the help!

[Bill Broderick]

If you can wait a few days for delivery, you can get RG6 Connectors (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10424&style=), a coax crimper (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050902&p_id=3356&seq=1&format=2) and a coax cable stripper (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050902&p_id=3359&seq=1&format=2) from Monoprice for much less than you can find them at a Radio Shack or Home Depot

[Ext 721]

There is another way you can test the cable without any fancy tools. I have had to do this when my pocket toner took a dump. It is not the best way but it works and works well.

Hook the new cable to the sat in on your H20 then go to your junction box. Here's the fun part. Lick the cables that are not connected to your switch. On the center conductor. When you find the cable going to that reciever you will get a shock a little stronger than a 9 volt battery. Either 13 or 18 volts.

Do this at your own risk, I assume no liability for any incedents that may arise from this act.

But it does work, I do it quite ofter if I am too lazy to walk to my truck and get my pocket toner

Better and painless...lick your thumb.

bridge the center conductor and braid (or fitting) with your thumb.

this will ionize the saliva.

if the saliva "tastes like tin foil", you have a live wire.

works wonderfully and won't leave any after-taste (assuming your thumb is reasonably clean)

as per above quote "do this at your own risk":D

[Tiger62]

Better and painless...lick your thumb.

Or, better yet, add a little spce to your endeavor by using your wife's thumb:)

(BTW, I don't think it would be wise to go any farther down this road!)

[BattleZone]

Coax Pocket Toner for under $12. (http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=5733)

Don't lick your coax...

[kauf2938]

Hook up the new cable to the receiver, then just hold the center conductor close to a piece of metal. If its the right one you will see a small arc.

I would have a hard time sticking that thing on my tongue. My brain wouldn't let me do it.

[spartanstew]

Don't lick your coax...

I tried that once when I was a teenager, but I just wasn't flexible enough.

[carl6]

Hook up the new cable to the receiver, then just hold the center conductor close to a piece of metal. If its the right one you will see a small arc.

I would have a hard time sticking that thing on my tongue. My brain wouldn't let me do it.

And if your receiver promptly stops working, pay full price for a replacement for voiding the warranty.

[hdtvfan0001]

Besides risking blowing something...I'm not sure shock therapy is a good practice for electrical testing in any case. :eek2: :D

[David MacLeod]

Besides risking blowing something...I'm not sure shock therapy is a good practice for electrical testing in any case. :eek2: :D


I don't know, I think it has has has has has has has some benefits...

[hdtvfan0001]

I don't know, I think it has has has has has has has some benefits...

I see your point.... :D :D :D

[Chris Blount]

I had the same issue when I had my house built. I have 12 runs of RG-6 running from various part of the house to one point. Naturally the builders didn't label anything.

I simply had someone short one end and then use a ohms-volt meter on the other until I got a tone. Pretty painless.

[TheRatPatrol]

My last thing is the wire in the wall is bare. I'm a 10 year sub to DTV and don't have the crimpers and RG6 tips. Plus, I need a threaded wall mount connection to put into the wall plate. So, I'll probably just go out to Radio Shack and purchase the tools to do this right. I plan on being with DTV for life so I'm sure I"ll use them now and then.

Thanks Everyone for the help!
I got one of these (http://www.datasharktools.com/view_tool.php?id=482&pid=271) kits from Home Depot and it works great.

[superman24]

If you can wait a few days for delivery, you can get RG6 Connectors (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10424&style=), a coax crimper (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050902&p_id=3356&seq=1&format=2) and a coax cable stripper (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050902&p_id=3359&seq=1&format=2) from Monoprice for much less than you can find them at a Radio Shack or Home Depot

Thanks... Place the order and the tools are on the way!

[JFHughes08088]

Buy this. http://www.smarthomepro.com/90502.html. I think I paid about $40 bucks online somewhere. Worth every penny.

[harsh]

or throw a terminator on one end and look for the 75ohm resistance with a ohm meter..With a system full of 75 ohm loads (TVs, DVRs, DVD recorders, VCRs), all devices look like a terminating resistor. A short or some other load makes loads more sense.

[Bill Broderick]

Thanks... Place the order and the tools are on the way!


You're going to need to adjust the cutter blades on the coax cutter. If I remember correctly, I had to remove one of the three blades and reposition one of the others. Take a look at the customer reviews on that cutter on Monoprices website. I described the adjustments that I made in that area. After making those adjustments, the cutter has worked flawlessly.

[Carl Spock]

For all you lickers and tasters out there, even as a kid, I knew enough to not pee on an electric fence. :nono: Proceed at your own risk is right!

[jimb726]

For all you lickers and tasters out there, even as a kid, I knew enough to not pee on an electric fence. :nono: Proceed at your own risk is right!

Then where did that hairdo come from??:lol: