Coax Question

[RNP]

Can I use the new RG6 QUAD COAX?

[carl6]

D* specifies solid copper center conductor for the new HD dish installations. Some quad shield RG6 may have that while some may not. I used quad shield RG6 for all the wiring in my house due to very strong local tv station interference, however it does not meet the new requirements because it is not solid copper core. (But I am not using the new dish either.)
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For most installations, quad shield is not needed. If you do need it, and plan to go with the AT9 dish, make sure you get solid copper core. How much difference that will make in actual usage I don't know, but you should at least plan to meet the spec requirement.
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Carl

[dsanbo]

D* specifies solid copper center conductor for the new HD dish installations. Some quad shield RG6 may have that while some may not. I used quad shield RG6 for all the wiring in my house due to very strong local tv station interference, however it does not meet the new requirements because it is not solid copper core. (But I am not using the new dish either.)
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For most installations, quad shield is not needed. If you do need it, and plan to go with the AT9 dish, make sure you get solid copper core. How much difference that will make in actual usage I don't know, but you should at least plan to meet the spec requirement.
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Carl
The crew that did my AT9 install said if the coax run is less than 100', there should be no problem using copper-clad steel....but....solid copper IS the best choice if installing new....(I lucked out....the existing runs I have are solid copper.....)

[RNP]

You can get copper core RG-6 QUAD coax cable and the gold compression ends made by Z for this coax at L

[JLucPicard]

Sorry for this qeustion. I know RS, CC, and BB, but "Z" and "L"? A little help, please?

[greywolf]

Zenith, Lowes.

[RCKYMTN]

The crew that did my AT9 install said if the coax run is less than 100', there should be no problem using copper-clad steel....but....solid copper IS the best choice if installing new....(I lucked out....the existing runs I have are solid copper.....)


So how do you know if you have the solid copper cable? I have the RG-6, but not sure?? And is the solid copper cable absolutely necessary for the AT9 dish, or are people getting by with existing RG6 that may not be the solid copper.

thanks..

[carl6]

DirecTV specifies the solid copper.
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I'm sure that copper covered steel will work just fine in many, if not most, situations. If you are doing the upgrade to HD yourself, you have to make your decision. If DirecTV is doing the upgrade, the installer is supposed to run solid copper. I'm sure some will avoid doing so if they can get away with it.
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One person suggested using a magnet to check the center conductor. If it is copper covered steel, the magnet will stick.
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Carl

[dsanbo]

So how do you know if you have the solid copper cable? I have the RG-6, but not sure?? And is the solid copper cable absolutely necessary for the AT9 dish, or are people getting by with existing RG6 that may not be the solid copper.

thanks..
The copper-clad steel is an acceptable alternative to solid copper if the run is around 100' or less (and good compression fittings are used). I used the magnet "trick" with a scrap piece of the original RG/6 I found after the (original) installer left....;)

[greywolf]

I have a magnet taken from an old hard drive. The thing is amazing. I went to Lowe's and the big cable rolls were plastic wrapped. The magnet fell off the Zenith RG6 QS 250' roll and the 250' Magnavox RG6 with messenger roll. The messenger wire must be bronze. It stuck to everything else even through the dielectric as long as the entire area of the magnet was on cable.

[RCKYMTN]

Thanks for the input.., sounds like I should be ok. I think my RG6 is the steel coated type, but the longest run I have would be 100' feet max.


Thanks again, gives me some comfort knowing I won't have to re-wire when I go with the AT9 dish and keep my existing RG 6 cabling..

[TheRatPatrol]

The copper-clad steel is an acceptable alternative to solid copper if the run is around 100' or less (and good compression fittings are used). I used the magnet "trick" with a scrap piece of the original RG/6 I found after the (original) installer left....;)
Can you please elaborate on this a bit. What exactly do you do with the magnet, what is the magnet "trick"? Thanks.

[carl6]

Can you please elaborate on this a bit. What exactly do you do with the magnet, what is the magnet "trick"? Thanks.

See post #8 above.

Carl

[greywolf]

Or #10.

[TheRatPatrol]

Ok so if the magnet sticks its ok to use that type of cable??

[carl6]

Ok so if the magnet sticks its ok to use that type of cable??

Just the opposite. If the magnet sticks, you have copper covered steel. If the magnet does not stick, you have all copper (well, actually all it really means is you don't have steel).

And to give credit where it is due, I believe it was Greywolf who originally suggested the magnet trick.

Carl

[TheRatPatrol]

Just the opposite. If the magnet sticks, you have copper covered steel. If the magnet does not stick, you have all copper (well, actually all it really means is you don't have steel).

And to give credit where it is due, I believe it was Greywolf who originally suggested the magnet trick.

Carl

And all copper is good and that is what you want to use?

Ok, I got its now, just a little slow here. :D

[AllieVi]

An easy way to tell the difference is to expose a bit of the center conductor. A copper wire will bend easily with your fingers. Copper coated steel will not.

[TheRatPatrol]

An easy way to tell the difference is to expose a bit of the center conductor. A copper wire will bend easily with your fingers. Copper coated steel will not.
How easy will it bend? :D

What do the cable co's usually use? I just tried to bend a piece of coax from the cable co and it didn't bend that easy.

[AllieVi]

How easy will it bend? :DVery easy. You won't feel much resistance.

What do the cable co's usually use? I just tried to bend a piece of coax from the cable co and it didn't bend that easy.Cable companies usually (always?) use copper-coated steel. It has significant advantages as far as the cable company is concerned. They need to pull long sections of cable through conduits. Steel withstands the stress without stretching. A solid copper wire might permanently stretch, causing its diameter to decrease. It's important that the diameter of that conductor be what it was when manufactured for the cable to perform properly (i.e., have a 75-ohm characteristic impedance).

For people installing cables in their own home, that's not a big concern. I did all my own wiring and used quad-shield solid copper RG-6 cables everywhere. The only downside I see is a more expensive installation.