Hello,

I was rummaging around some boxes in the basement and found a couple of old coaxial cables. One of them is probably 25 years old, from back when I first subscribed to cable TV, and the other one I'm guessing is about 15 years old.

Assuming they're not rusted out, are these old cables still any good today, especially with Comcast getting rid of its analog channels and "migrating" over to digital only?

Thanks for any insight you might offer.

--JorgeA

Although they probably can/will work, they are probably RG59 and not worth the effort. You can get new un-terminated or pre-terminated RG6 inexpensively. Even if it is RG6... I wouldn't use a 15-25 year old coax due to probable corrosion and dry rot.

Ratman,

Thanks for the information. Your reply sent me into the Web to research the questions of RG59 vs. RG6 and un-terminated vs. pre-terminated cables, but the part about corrosion and dry rot I did understand right away.

Thanks for getting me to learn about these issues.

--JorgeA

It probably did not say anything about copper-braid vs foil shield cable, and the necessity that the foil be bonded to the dielectric, either.

Ratman,

Thanks for the information. Your reply sent me into the Web to research the questions of RG59 vs. RG6 and un-terminated vs. pre-terminated cables, but the part about corrosion and dry rot I did understand right away.

Thanks for getting me to learn about these issues.

--JorgeA
When you say terminated, I assume you mean connectorized? Not the same thing as terminated.

Connectorized is when a connector is placed on the cable. Terminated is when a 75 ohm terminator is connected to a cable.

You can get cables terminated/pre-terminated/un-terminated. It is an acceptable term.
http://www.broadbandutopia.com/belden7916a.html
http://www.computercablestore.com/coax.aspx
http://www.swhowto.com/CoaxTerminate.htm

75 Ohm coax terminators are placed on unused ports of splitters, distribution amps, not on the cable.
http://www.summitsource.com/75-ohm-f-terminator-connector-cap-signal-plugs-10-pack-12-watt-coax-cable-av-digital-signal-adapters-impedance-matching-plug-caps-part-pvft-p-4914.html
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=511

JorgeA:
The copper center conductor will/may corrode (oxidize) over time. "Dry-rot" of the outer insulation will/may occur over time making it brittle and susceptable to cracking.

Making the switch over to digital cable has been a whole education in A/V... especially for those like me who want to still be able to watch one channel while taping another channel on the ol' VCR!

--JorgeA

75 Ohm coax terminators are placed on unused ports of splitters, distribution amps, not on the cable.

Sorry I neglected to clarify that terminators go on unused ports of splitters, taps, amps, unused wall-plates, barrel connectors, and/or anything else that has a signal on it that is not in use. Thought we were talking about cables, and seeing as how terminators screw onto a female connector, I thought it stood to reason that the cable had to have a mating connector.

Hey no problem. We were talking about 15-25 year old coax cables. Throw them away IMO.

As for the semantics in terms, I think most refer to cables with a connector on one or both ends as being "terminated" as opposed to "connectorized". ;)

Making the switch over to digital cable has been a whole education in A/V... especially for those like me who want to still be able to watch one channel while taping another channel on the ol' VCR!

Digital cable or analog cable, the coax is typically the same and should not be a concern. There's no reason to think that 15-25 year old cable will make it better. It's more likely to make things worse.

If your cable provider made recent changes and you have reception/picture quality issues, give them a call to diagnose and resolve. That's what you pay for on a monthly basis. :)

Much appreciate the clarification and additional details. I'll take your advice, save myself some head-scratching the next time I'd come across these cables, and get rid of those old coaxials right now! :D

--JorgeA

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