[frank29]

I am wiring an in progress home addtion for DirectTV. I currently live in the dark ages with my only television reception being via roof top antenna. Does the following plan need to be tweaked or is it okay?

From each of four possible TV locations I will run a pair of RG6. The total of eight RG6 wires will come to a common location. From this point, I will run four RG6 wires 55' to the future dish location.

 

[Wolffpack]

Sounds good. You may want to add a fifth line to the dish location for an OTA antenna unless you plan on using your existing antenna. Also, with the RG6 make sure it's solid copper core, not copper claded steel for future requirements.

 

[Andrew_J_M]

In the future you may want more than one DVR at at least one location, so I would run an extra pair of RG6 to the main viewing area. Of course when FTM becomes available and the HMC is released this may change.

Do you have telephone and/or LAN network access available at the outlets? If possible I would run those as well just in case you need them.

 

[frank29]

.......with the RG6 make sure it's solid copper core, not copper claded steel for future requirements.

Well, it looks like solid copper; but, it must have a steel core. I just stripped the end to expose the core and it is magnetic.

I've got a 500' reel of this stuff. What's the downside to using what I have?

 

[Andrew_J_M]

Well, it looks like solid copper; but, it must have a steel core. I just stripped the end to expose the core and it is magnetic.

I've got a 500' reel of this stuff. What's the downside to using what I have?

I've used steel core for a total of 100' from dish-multiswitch-receiver without any problems, so it should be OK'

 

[Wolffpack]

Well, it looks like solid copper; but, it must have a steel core. I just stripped the end to expose the core and it is magnetic.

I've got a 500' reel of this stuff. What's the downside to using what I have?

Requirements for the AT9 dish with the new SATs are solid copper core. This is due to the frequencies coming in from the dish. I don't know many tech specifics on this. I'm sure others can explain the details better than I. All I know is that to properly receive signals from the new SATs, including MPEG4 HDs, you should have solid copper.

 

[bobnielsen]

Requirements for the AT9 dish with the new SATs are solid copper core. This is due to the frequencies coming in from the dish. I don't know many tech specifics on this. I'm sure others can explain the details better than I. All I know is that to properly receive signals from the new SATs, including MPEG4 HDs, you should have solid copper.

The copper coating on the steel core is thick enough that the high frequency signal doesn't notice the higher resistance of the steel core (skin effect), but the voltage drop may be too much to reliably operate the switches in the multiswitch and LNBs. If the run is short enough there shouldn't be any problem. If you are running an additional multiswitch, especially an unpowered one like the WB68, it would be prudent to use copper-cored cable. In a fresh installation it's probably worth going to solid-copper coax swept to 3 GHz and compression fittings in any case.

 

[carl6]

It depends in part on how long the runs are from the central multiswitch location to the viewing locations. If they are relatively short - say under 50 feet, your total length to the dish is under 100 feet, you will probably be okay. On the other hand, if you are going considerably longer distances to the tv locations, you might have problems.

I would also recommend a separate RG6 coax run to each tv location for OTA/cable, as diplexing is not supported with the AT9 dish and WB68 multiswitch.

Carl

 

[bpayne]

The copper coating on the steel core is thick enough that the high frequency signal doesn't notice the higher resistance of the steel core (skin effect), but the voltage drop may be too much to reliably operate the switches in the multiswitch and LNBs. If the run is short enough there shouldn't be any problem. If you are running an additional multiswitch, especially an unpowered one like the WB68, it would be prudent to use copper-cored cable. In a fresh installation it's probably worth going to solid-copper coax swept to 3 GHz and compression fittings in any case.

bobnielson is absolutely correct in his explanation of voltage drop being the key issue with using copper-clad steel vs. signal loss.

As long as the distance is short though it should be ok.

The best way to chec if it is copper-clad steel is just to cut a section of cable and look at the center conductor. The outer edge should of it will look reddish and the center will clearly be silver.