Getting ready to rewire house for structured wiring- cable, phone, network mostly. Will prewire for dish in case we add later. Read most posts regarding structured wiring/distribution of video/cable/phone/net etc. and have searched the net for good RG6 cable for digital cable TV and most 1000' reels cost 250-350for single rg6 quad solid copper core. Has anyone found a good distributor/retailer for less? I did find this one any comments on if it would be OK? Sorry can't post link yet but this is what I'm looking at www.primuscable.com/inc/sdetail/1430 . thanks Guess I can post a link.
Looking for good RG6 cable
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Why would I hire someone to run wires? I do have some back ground in this, so running all the wires/cables and hooking them up will be if not easy, do able. Deciding on what is currently the best/most affordable is not my area. All I'm looking for is some input on what others have used and where they got their cable from.
I'm in the same boat as you. My hose had a large oak tree through it after Hurricane Ike. We have taken the house down to the studs and I'm planning on doing a structured wire system throughout. Coax is the only wire I have left to purchase. I will be using with Dish network HD DVRs so I know I need solid copper core quad shield coax but whew the good stuff like belden 1694 is expensive.
I found another supplier that sales solid copper core RG6 cable for around 130. the brand is Pro Gear Signature Series cable but I don't know if it's any good. I'm guessing it can't be as bad as what I have now. I did a search for it here but turned up nothing.
If you are looking for reputable brands of wire:
Manufacturers:
Belden
Commscope
Genesis / Honeywell
Coleman Cable
Gepco / Sheer Wire
General Cable
Quality private label brands:
Liberty
Tributaries
Signature Wire
Windy City Wire
Ethereal
Beware of import and off brands as they may 1) cheat on braid coverage 2) say the product is one thing, but sell you something different 3) May not meet performance standards 4) non-standard dimensions may make connectorization difficult. 5) May not be UL rated for in-wall use or may feature a false UL marking. Obviously, they are not all crooks, but it is difficult for the average Joe to know the difference and typically the cheaper the wire, the more likely the quality of the product suffers.
The bare copper center may not be necessary depending on what you are doing. It is helpful to prevent voltage drop in powering up the dish - but is preferred for that reason only, not for performance. Copper-clad steel has many advantages over BC for durability, and this is why you will find mainly Copper-clad steel as a cable TV industry standard.
You may be able to find a good price (without shipping charges) at your local Home Center. I know Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menards all carry coax from some of the reputable brands listed above. If they don't have a BC version of the coax available, they can special order it for you - just ask. Shipping can really kill you on wire, so buying local really makes sense.
Hope this helps.
Carl
Manufacturers:
Belden
Commscope
Genesis / Honeywell
Coleman Cable
Gepco / Sheer Wire
General Cable
Quality private label brands:
Liberty
Tributaries
Signature Wire
Windy City Wire
Ethereal
Beware of import and off brands as they may 1) cheat on braid coverage 2) say the product is one thing, but sell you something different 3) May not meet performance standards 4) non-standard dimensions may make connectorization difficult. 5) May not be UL rated for in-wall use or may feature a false UL marking. Obviously, they are not all crooks, but it is difficult for the average Joe to know the difference and typically the cheaper the wire, the more likely the quality of the product suffers.
The bare copper center may not be necessary depending on what you are doing. It is helpful to prevent voltage drop in powering up the dish - but is preferred for that reason only, not for performance. Copper-clad steel has many advantages over BC for durability, and this is why you will find mainly Copper-clad steel as a cable TV industry standard.
You may be able to find a good price (without shipping charges) at your local Home Center. I know Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menards all carry coax from some of the reputable brands listed above. If they don't have a BC version of the coax available, they can special order it for you - just ask. Shipping can really kill you on wire, so buying local really makes sense.
Hope this helps.
Carl
Hi -in the same boat as you here... Looking to wire my place up to the gills with Cat6, RG6 QS, etc.
I was going to go with the Cables To Go dual-RG6 to pull 2 at once...
I found it cheaper through 3rd party distributors - but as they suggested earlier, you'll get hit with big shipping typically!
I was going to go with the Cables To Go dual-RG6 to pull 2 at once...
I found it cheaper through 3rd party distributors - but as they suggested earlier, you'll get hit with big shipping typically!
Google the product #'s and you'll get some hits. Provantage was one that came up and a handful of others at lower prices than direct from Cable To Go. I need to just Google them for reviews to make sure all is well, but I've had numerous of their patch cords, etc. from Amazon over the years and haven't had a bit of a problem - hopefully that holds true for infrastructure.
I'll tell ya, the composite/bundled wiring the industry is coming up with is cool - I just wish it was different combinations. They all seem to be 2 Cat 5e (or 6) and 1 or 2 RG6. In my new construction, I've come up with a "TechConnect" outlet spec to give my builder to replace the standard CATV and phone drops they'd otherwise put. I plan to run 5 Cat6 (2 data, 2 A/V using baluns, 1 phone - or any reconfigurable combination therefore) and 2 RG6 cables to each double gang outlet box, and use Leviton QuickConnect inserts/connectors. I'm going to ask that they not terminate any of the runs so I can just keep unused TechConnects behind blank inserts until I need them. They probably think I am nuts - but if you were going to put in 11 CATV/phone outlets, why not put in a total of 19 TechConnect outlets - only a net increase of 8 outlets with quite a bit more functionality - now and in the future!
I'll tell ya, the composite/bundled wiring the industry is coming up with is cool - I just wish it was different combinations. They all seem to be 2 Cat 5e (or 6) and 1 or 2 RG6. In my new construction, I've come up with a "TechConnect" outlet spec to give my builder to replace the standard CATV and phone drops they'd otherwise put. I plan to run 5 Cat6 (2 data, 2 A/V using baluns, 1 phone - or any reconfigurable combination therefore) and 2 RG6 cables to each double gang outlet box, and use Leviton QuickConnect inserts/connectors. I'm going to ask that they not terminate any of the runs so I can just keep unused TechConnects behind blank inserts until I need them. They probably think I am nuts - but if you were going to put in 11 CATV/phone outlets, why not put in a total of 19 TechConnect outlets - only a net increase of 8 outlets with quite a bit more functionality - now and in the future!
I am doing simular in mine with 4Cat5e and 2 RG6 to 7-8 locations. Lining up equipment and figuring layout now. Will start as soon as I have it all in hand and layed out. I'll post here for a review of what I plan to do before I start.
True, but they are mostly known for their backbone coax for cable TV infrastructure and less so for their RG6 for in-home use.
In fact, I've seen a lot of coax in my time, but I don't know if I've ever seen a Times RG6.
Thanks for the addition. I'm quite sure there are maybe 1 or 2 others as well.
True, but they are mostly known for their backbone coax for cable TV infrastructure and less so for their RG6 for in-home use.
In fact, I've seen a lot of coax in my time, but I don't know if I've ever seen a Times RG6.
Thanks for the addition. I'm quite sure there are maybe 1 or 2 others as well.
While the companies Carl listed are reputable, some of them still buy cable made in China and sell it. I pulled cable about 10 years ago (RG6 Quad) from one of them that was made in China and recently went back to pull additional cable (Belden) along side it this past December. The old China cable jacket cracked and tore while pulling it to a different location. I ended up having to replace it all not trusting it. I also did some cross sectional comparisons and qualitatively you could see a significant difference between the old cable and the Belden.
Belden is made in the USA as is Carl's Coleman Cable. I've seen both and would trust either. I happened to pick the Belden because that was the only option I had at the time through the distributor.
Belden is made in the USA as is Carl's Coleman Cable. I've seen both and would trust either. I happened to pick the Belden because that was the only option I had at the time through the distributor.
Most of my cable purchases are through local distributors, but I did purchase from www.tselectronic.com before. Their shipping is reasonable and fast. They have Belden 7916A (Quad BC) or 7915A (Tri BC) in your price range which is a quality cable.
Most of my cable purchases are through local distributors, but I did purchase from www.tselectronic.com before. Their shipping is reasonable and fast. They have Belden 7916A (Quad BC) or 7915A (Tri BC) in your price range which is a quality cable.
I have pretty much decided to go with the Belden 7916a but was reading other post about how soft the center wire so it might bend. Also others have discussed prepping or rounding the tip of the wire. How do you do this? Is it needed? Any problems using a solid copper vs a CCS?
Thanks to all you have been a big help.
Thanks to all you have been a big help.
Unless you are abusing the coax during installation, bare copper center conductor will be fine. The Belden 7916a (Coleman 920414) is a fine coax to use for your application and you should have no problems. I know the guys at TS Electronic and despite them not carrying Coleman, I can tell you that they will take good care of you. Again, finding this local is probably your best bet, however.
Best,
Carl
Unless you are abusing the coax during installation, bare copper center conductor will be fine. The Belden 7916a (Coleman 920414) is a fine coax to use for your application and you should have no problems. I know the guys at TS Electronic and despite them not carrying Coleman, I can tell you that they will take good care of you. Again, finding this local is probably your best bet, however.
Best,
Carl
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