Quad RG-6 Recommendations?

I use Belden 7916a, but I normally buy it in the 500ft box from broadbandutopia.com. Currently the 500ft box is around $84. They also have a 150ft pre-made cable for $40.. I guess you could cut it up to suit your needs . . .

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CGMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.belden.com%2Ftechdatas%2Fmetric%2F7916A.pdf&ei=Jx4wULPKOILk9ASKkIGIAg&usg=AFQjCNGwnoAvELfhN_Q-rQevHOzQtU6Iow

http://www.broadbandutopia.com/belcoax7916a1.html

http://www.broadbandutopia.com/150febequshr.html
Edited by WS65711 - 8/18/12 at 4:08pm

Ebay is your friend. Just take the remaining footage and offer custom cuts. You may not get your entire purchase back but it may be something.

What's your application that solid copper would make a difference? Are you expecting it to carry a high current?

If it's for RF then because of the skin effect either is fine. The copper clad steel is a bit more robust mechanically and a bit cheaper. That's why 99.9% of Cable TV installations use it.

Solid core copper will have an advantage only if you're running DC power through the coax and then, usually only on longer runs as it has a lower DC resistance per unit length. At RF frequencies, either type is equivalent.

Similarly, there's no need for quad-shield in most antenna installations, but since you're doing a satellite install, you should stick with the QS variety.

Unless your application demands otherwise, let price and quality be your determining factors.

I prefer the solid copper because I find it easier to work with.. softer and more flexible.

That is also its downfall. The center terminal of an 'F' connector is the center conductor and copper clad steel is stiffer, ensuring good penetration of the female connector.

Last time I checked, there were several eBay sellers who sold pre-cut, pre-connectorized cables, and if you wanted an exact " 'tweener" length, you can usually get those sellers to make one up and list it as a Buy-it-now.
Edited by AntAltMike - 8/22/12 at 11:06am

Personally, I've never had that problem. Or with cables either.

Just don't let the steel scratch the copper (or other metal) of the connector and damage it.
Cable TV guys found out, long ago, that a burr on the edge of dissimilar metals will cause a diode-effect, and increase inter-modulation distortions.
They even use a special tool to smooth the edges of the center conductor in the big semi-flex cables.

For RG-6/U and similar, just use a very good "flush-cutter". I also run my finger over the end, or wipe it across my jeans or shirtsleeve, to see if there's a jagged edge.

I'm interested in that. I spliced for about 20 years and never used anything fancier than a pair of Klein 'Nines' (standard electrician pliers). I do however have fancy plastic scraper to remove the residual foam from the center conductor after coring the cable.

PS: FWIW, most trunk and feeder cable center is copper clad aluminum, with an aluminum tube for the sheath.

The tool I have is called a "Cable Gator", and it has the usual fiber scraper blades on the end (for removing the foam), and a thing like a pencil sharpener on the side of it, for taking off the burr.

You can find some of those tools at http://www.techtoolsupply.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=46

You said this was for a satellite install. What satellite? If it's DirecTV their standards do call for solid copper core instead of copper clad steel last I knew.

Yeah, they do call for solid copper core. I wasn't going to replace all of my CCS cable just to make them happy, though. If you're under ~140', you'll be fine.

Well golly....
If it's a new install, get solid core copper and you're done. If it's a retrofit, take your chances.

I'll be go-to-heck. I've spliced hundreds of miles of trunk and feeder and never seen anything like that! Never had a problem on new build but on some retro jobs I've had to cut the stinger twice at right angles making a pyramid. Nice find.

We didn't use those until we upgraded from 330 to 550MHz. Prior to that, our knives sufficed. But the higher frequency system needed a little more TLC. A blade can scrape off too much copper. Not near as much of an issue with 330 as it is at 550. Let alone 750 nowadays.

750 nowadays? I think of 750 MHz as the "skipped threshold". Every system I have ever been involved with went right from 550 to 860. In fact, we broadcast MATV people make out like bandits buying 750 MHz amplifiers on eBay dirt cheap because there is a gigantic surplus of them.

Around here, there are a few spots that are 860, but most of the plant is 750. Why Comcast did that, I have no idea.

I'm in 750 country here too. The last cable placement in my town was QR cable (.540 feeder, .860 trunk) at 750MHz spacing and Antec 550MHz gear. The systems around us used the Antec 550 amps at 860MHz spacing. We got 'upgraded' to Antec 750MHz amps and the rest got 870MHz Motorola. We also built everything out to the ocean at 870MHz spacing. I also built Click! in Tacoma (all .715 QR cable, 870MHz Motorola).