How much is too much coax?

[shendley]

I was thinking of running coax into my basement for another dtv receiver, but it looks like I need about 85 feet of cable to reach the basement from my Zinwell 6x8 multiswitch. It's about 50 feet from the dish to the multiswitch, making about 135 feet (app.) altogether. Does that sound like too much? If so, what could I do about it - some sort of powered mulitswitch somewhere along the way?

Thanks for your help!

[Michael D'Angelo]

You will probably be ok. I would try it and if you have a problem deal with it then.

[pstr8ahead]

Just make sure to use RG6 with 100% copper center conductor, not copper clad steel and you'll be fine. I've doubled that length with no problem.

[shendley]

Just make sure to use RG6 with 100% copper center conductor, not copper clad steel and you'll be fine. I've doubled that length with no problem.

So, not all RG6 has the 100% cooper center conducter? Is there any particular brand to look for? I was just planning on getting some at Lowes.

[CCarncross]

Lowes carries both IIRC. Just be sure to get SCC(Solid copper core), and not CCS(copper clad steel). It doesnt hurt to also make sure it is RG-6 Quad shielded as well...

[Mertzen]

You can also look into purchasing a box of RG11. It is shielded better and has less signal loss. Not cheap though. It should allow 250+ ft runs. but try the RG6 first.

[Michael D'Angelo]

You can also look into purchasing a box of RG11. It is shielded better and has less signal loss. Not cheap though. It should allow 250+ ft runs. but try the RG6 first.

You don't want to do that. Way to much money and you have to get special ends and tool to use it. When I moved into my house the cable company already ran RG11 to my house for some reason years ago. That cable is big. Not complaining though because I only have one line coming from it going to my cable modem.

[jimmyv2000]

ALL of my cabling is RG6 Quad shield cable.
My longest run is about 150 feet to the furthest receiver and i have no issues.As a matter of fact i checked the signal stength on it before i posted here and the lowest reading i have on my RCA reeiver is an 87 on transponder 1
save your money Don't buy Rg11.
www.solidsignal.com
they have what you need.

[JeffBowser]

Ditto on length - my longest run is 140 feet from dish to box, with RG6 (cable is not marked, no idea if it is CSS or SCC). In fact, years ago, in the single and even into my triple LNB days, my longest run was RG59u, and it worked fine. Makes me wonder how much fudge factor DirecTV builty into the 100' spec. I asked that question up here awhile ago and never got any real answer.

[shendley]

Thanks to all. Very helpful info here. I'll probably check the signal strength on a line of 100ft from the multiswitch just to make sure there's no signal problems before I install, but it looks like I'll be fine. Now if it would just look a little less like it's going to storm any second and I can get out there and start having some fun!

[AnonomissX]

IIRC, at Directv tech support, we were trained that standard install was 125 ft of RG6 cable per tuner (that means running up to 125 ft PER INPUT for a DVR for those who have been told its extra by an installer :mad: ) and advised beyond that, the signal may have a chance to degrade. Others have had no trouble at all, so, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

[shendley]

After a trip to Lowes I have an additional question. Their base coax - which gives no info at all as to whether its SSC or CCS - is about 24 bucks for 100ft with connectors already attached. Their quad shielded (branded for "HDTV," though I don't think they said they were SSC) coax runs about 35 bucks for a 100 ft run without connectors. They sold a pack of four connectors (which is what I would need) for about 27 bucks and I'd need to buy myself some crimping tools to put them on (though it would be easier to run them through some holes without the connectors already attached). So that's about $50 for the base coax and about $100 for the quad shielded. Is it worth it, you think, to go for the more expensive cable? I was looking at the cable DTV installed with my 5 lnb dish last summer and it just says rg6 75 ohm 3 gb. Is that what you get with the quad shielded cable?

[AllieVi]

I used solid copper quad-shield everywhere in my house. It's not readily available in typical hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).

Search eBay for "rg6 solid copper" and you'll get an idea of prices. A 1000' roll of (non-quad) goes for less than $100 with shipping.

[shendley]

I used solid copper quad-shield everywhere in my house. It's not readily available in typical hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).

Search eBay for "rg6 solid copper" and you'll get an idea of prices. A 1000' roll of (non-quad) goes for less than $100 with shipping.

Thanks. Ebay has some pretty good prices. Better than Lowes!

[shendley]

Just a quick thanks to everyone who helped me with this issue. I wound up getting two 100 ft runs of solid copper coax from Amazon for about $66. Had a great time installing it Friday (day off!) and now have a very good signal in my basement.

Only down side: a very old audio receiver went belly up during to move to the basement. It had been showing signs of age. I guess the final move was too much for it to take!