Coaxial Cable Basics Part 1

[@namithc]

Nice video Ron.. Keep up the good work.. I was an electronics student 8 years ago, but forgot all the basics now... :) you did a good job in getting me back to the basics... :)

[@erickmcgraw]

Wow! Thanks for the time put into this video. It's been almost 10 years ago but very relevant to my issues right now. I didn't want to pay the cable company or contractor to extend my coaxial in the house so I decided to do it myself. I really had no clue what I was doing. I was able to get a rough & crude cable TV signal on my other TVs but Internet signal would not connect. I was stripping everything down to the copper core. UGH! About 40 feet of RG6 in the trash. Now time to start over...the right way!! Thanks Ron!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Erick sorry to hear you had a little bit of a learning curve but hope you get it fixed have fun Ron

[@sktfrevr1]

I work for Time Warner Cable in Myrtle Beach SC and a lot of this info i have acquired over the years but never this far in depth, thanks for these vids they are very useful in my datacom/telecommunication feild and will keep watching them !

[@scottfarquhar6864]

Ron I really enjoyed this I am a 15 year veteran and now a trainer for TWC I really learned some stuff i never knew about the foil and the braid didnt know one was for low end noise and the other high end noise. I have watch a few of the videos and really enjoy them great job I hope you dont mind I will be using some of your videos in my classes.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

scott farquhar Scott good to hear from you! I appreciate you watching the videos and using them in your classes. I find there is always more to learn.............

[@nicholas8479]

Great job Ron. Interesting and clearly presented. I knew nothing about coax cable before watching. I am trying get rid of expensive cable TV , so I bought a TV antenna recently. Found two pieces of old coax cable, each piece with only one proper fitting, the other end plain. I properly connected (screwed on) the fitting of one coax to the TV and the other coax to the antenna. I then jury-rigged the loose ends together like they were power AC cables....after stripping the coax with my pocket knife, I twisted the center wires together and then twisted together the foil and mesh. Even not knowing about coax cable, I knew this was not ideal, but I was surprised that my TV picked up nothing...not a single station. Is this what you would expect? I thought the concepts you mentioned would moderately enhance the functioning of the coax if followed. I didn't realize they were so essential. I know I need to install the proper fittings, or just buy a ready-made coax at the store. I was just wondering why my makeshift connection allowed absolutely no signal to my TV. Any thoughts? [URL=s93.photobucket.com/user/photocloud1/media/coaxrigconnection_zps7c50c9d4.jpeg.html][IMG]i93.photobucket.com/albums/l78/photocloud1/coaxrigconnection_zps7c50c9d4.jpeg[/IMG][/URL]

[@kevinangermeier9604]

Good stuff here. I'm in training at Comcast as a tech and this content makes understanding it easier.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

+Kevin Angermeier Hi Kevin good to hear you can use the info good luck with Comcast. Ron

[@oldsteamguy]

Hi Ron. I am going to be redoing the coax at home. Your videos have been helpful. Thanks very much for posting.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

oldsteamguy Hey great name tag! I am glad you can use the info. Good luck with your wiring.Ron

[@jasongrenier5566]

Ron, You had said that the foil shield is used to block high frequencies and the braid is to block low frequencies. Why is the foil not efficient at blocking low frequencies? Why is the braid inefficient at blocking high frequencies?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hi Jason I believe it has to do with the wavelength of the signal. The longer wavelength of the lower frequencies the braid can handle while the very short wavelength of high frequencies the foil is better. Hope that helps Ron

[@7927mdr]

Great work sir. Well spoken, great clarity, and excellent pace. Moving on to part 2.

[@stclairstclair]

Finally I have the answer to my question, I had used a "U" staple gun on my internet coaxial, this staple just barely fits around causing the coax to be slightly squeezed down, Ive been doing this for years working for ADT and never had a problem, I knew I wasn't pinching it so tightly as to short the dielectric, I was dropping internet connections every few minutes at home and the Comcast boy tried for an hour to convince me that my staples where causing all the problems, but he could not explained how, I insisted he replace the modem, he did and ensured me this would not fix my problem, well that was a year ago and it still works great, But I had never heard of the capacitor effect inside of coax when the dielectric is manipulated, Thanks!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Glad to be of service and thanks for being out there. Ron

[@jeremiahgillespie78]

Wow! This is Good stuff! Keep it up Ron!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Jeremiah Gillespie Good to hear from you! Thanks for watching.Ron

[@ramesherrabolu1590]

Enjoyed the presentation, a very good explanation of the coaxial cable structure

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Ramesh glad you could use the information coax has been around a long time now. Ron

[@celsorodrigues7511]

Hello Mr. Kipper, great video. You say only the center conductor carries the signal, but both the center conductor and the foil conductor will have a current, correct? Where the current in both conductors will be equal in amplitude, but opposite in direction, correct?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

+Celso Rodrigues Celso I am not a RF engineer but from what I know the ground is just a zero reference point and carries no signal. Take care.Ron

[@ArloElLeon]

Outstanding! Great teacher!!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hi Iris appreciate the comment Ron!

[@markjones7138]

very useful - thank you, Ron

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hey Mark that is an old video but still helpful. Have fun Ron

[@zynthos9]

8:00 Why would changing the capacitance change the resistance of the coax cable? It makes perfect sense to me that the capacitance changes as the distance between the two conductors changes, but I do not see how this should have an effect on resistance which should be more a function of the length, area, and material properties of the conductors, no?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Zabmbia95 DC circuits that operate at very high frequencies will become similar to AC circuits where the frequencies are always changing the resistance changes to Impedance and is a function capacitance, resistance and inductance at a certain frequency. Hope that helps Ron

[@zynthos9]

***** Thanks. But then wouldn't the changing capacitance only effect the imaginary (reactive) part of the impedance and not the real part?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

From what I know it is a big part of the total impedance but we need a better expert to take the idea any further. Any bidding engineers out there?

[@jpalmi]

great video. I'm looking at moving some rooms around in our house and our cable comes into to one side of our house in the basement and runs across to 3 rooms over then, it runs up through the floor into a room on the main level of our house. when the cable company installed it, they ran one complete cable from the outside box, through our outer wall, and basement and the floor into the room, so I have no connections I can remove to relocate the cable and am having to consider cutting the cable to pull back through the floor, then install wall jacks and such. I was curious what runs through the cable and whether or not I have to disconnect it outside before cutting it, or cut layers at a time, until I can finally cut the center wire.. thanks to your video, I realize the only thing carrying anything is the center wire (especially since this is not satellite or other gear that carries current through the cable. I'd imagine then, that it's safe to cut the cable to remove the end, pull it through the floor, put a new end on it and plug it into the new wall jack being installed?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hi JeremyF4i yes you can cut the cable as CATV systems should be low voltage. I would move the splitter inside the house if it is not in some type of enclosure outside the house. Good luck Ron

[@jpalmi]

the splitter is in the box that the cable company mounted on the side of my house. Thank you for the reply.

[@WhomGodGiveth]

Just out of curiousity, Do all the RF travel on the center conductor including the Upstream and the Downstream?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

+Jonathan George Hi Jonathan the center conductor in a coaxial cable carries all of the signal. Thanks for the question Ron

[@glassamerica1]

Thank you for the quick summary.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

tim mason Hi Tim thanks for watching Ron

[@RamonRodriguez-li4pg]

Hi Ron, I'm building a patio out back that will have a TV. Before we poured concrete I left 2-3/4" conduits 18" below grade. One is to be used for power 110V and the other I left empty for future expansion. I ran another conduit approx 12" below grade to run coaxial for cable TV, this conduit was left approx 6" higher then the previous two, in hopes of helping with potential interference. After the concrete was poured I tried to feed the coaxial cable but the conduit appears to be damaged. Can I run the coaxial in the conduit that is running parallel with the conduit carrying the power? The run is approximately 60 feet. I'm concerned with potential interference with TV signal. If I can, what type of coaxial would you suggest?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hi Raymond good question. The electrical code says low voltage wires should be at least 2 inches away from power lines and not run through the same conduit. So you can definitely use the extra conduit run you installed and should not have any problems with it. That was good thinking on your part to run those extra conduit runs. By the way the residential standard says 6 inches from power but I'm pretty sure you will be OK. Ron

[@RamonRodriguez-li4pg]

Thanks so much Ron! I'm considering going with an RJ6 quad shield, it appears to give the best interference protection. Would you agree with that? Also would grounding the coax cable be beneficial?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Raymond RG-6Q is just double shielded and I doubt you need to worry about that but you can use it if you prefer. The cable is grounded as it comes into your home so you do not need to ground it again and really should not. Good luck Ron

[@jeffreyvickery4772]

Great video. Thanks!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hi Jeffery thanks for being out there Ron

[@CharlesLumia]

Great video. Very informative. Thanks!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hey Charles glad you like it those old videos are hard to watch for me......Ron

[@marcjones3640]

I really appreciate this sir. I'm going back into the cable installation business after being away for about 3 years. I really like how you break it down I really need this refresher. Any advice for a future contract cable installer? I can use all the help I can get.

[@manaoharsam4211]

Nice Video, Thank you.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Thanks Ron

[@adamnye7375]

Thank you for making these videos. I just started as a installer today with a local cable company. Can you explain "muxing". I understand it as highways going down the pipe is that correct? Sorry if I am spelling that incorrectly. Any info would be great. Thank you for your time.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Adam Nye Adam good to hear from you. The term refers to multiplexers used by CATV companies to combine or multiplex 2 digital channels onto one output channel which you can think of as lanes in a highway only the highway here is coaxial cable. I am not a CATV pro but hope that helped. Ron

[@adamnye7375]

***** Thank you for the response. It helps. I might try and dig a little more on this topic. But I am not sure if it will even make sense, I guess I will see.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Adam Nye I remember graduating college thinking I would never step into a classroom again.............today I do nothing but try to keep up it seems and in low voltage it is always changing. It will make more sense as you get exposed to it. Take Care

[@pimpybrad]

Excellent video, just what I was looking for! Keep up the good work!! :-)

[@rdlmethat2018]

Really helpful, thank you!

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

OK use it well man Ron

[@Habbrow94]

so its a high frequency electromagnetic wave, what would happen when these frequencies are then limited at a lower bandwidth? would that potentially degrade an incoming visual and audio signal over tv and the internet? You see I am having an ongoing problem with my internet connection where everytime I download music or listen to audio streaming over the internet it is sounding moderately compressed, thin, lacking volume, and treble + bass frequencies missing from the audio that would normally be there for instance audio quality is fine when I use mobile data and normal when I am using someone else wifi. I have old RG59 coax cable from the 1980s providing internet to the modem, is it possible that the gauge of this wire is degrading the signal by only allowing a limited bandwidth? I read somewhere online that RG59 runs at about 900mhz, isp can provide 2.4ghz and 5ghz and if thats the case is this the reason for my audio and visual problems? Or is it possible that the RG59 coax wire would normally be perfectly fine in my situation and my problems are more than likely stemming from something else such as bad splitter, deteriorated or corroded wire, daisy chaining, and possibly even worn out connectors, so on and etc? (my cable guy tried telling me everything is fine now because the internet speeds are high, download and upload time is within range, one of the problems I used to have was constant internet drops and connection instability which I am not experiencing as much anymore but nerveless I am still having audio problems, everything is not fine. What would the difference between velocity and power be when dealing with the internet frequencies? how does bandwidth play into that?) Thanks

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hey Anthony that is a lot to talk about! Not sure how much help I can give you but it would not hurt to update the cabling to RG-6 as that is what the cable people require today. Replacing the cable, splitters and all the connectors will at least tell you it isn't you cabling that is causing the issue. If it is as old as you say time to replace it.Hope that helps you. Ron

[@Habbrow94]

that is allot, I will ask you however if you know does coaxial bandwidth effect internet bandwidth? and do you know if internet bandwidth being reduced would that have a negative impact on audio and visual quality possibly degrading and distorting things? I feel like im stuck in the 1980s with some quality you would get off old security monitors haha! Yes I think its time we update the cabling here, it would definitely help. Thanks Ron

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Coaxial cable has a lot of bandwidth RG-6 is rated out to 3 GHz which is well beyond want the CATV providers require today so they can always increase the bandwidth if needed. If they are having issues in some cases it could be the limitation of their equipment not the cabling. If your Internet speeds drop it can affect audio and video quality as these are very time sensitive applications. I watched a couple of your videos keep them coming! Ron

[@Habbrow94]

Thanks Ron, most of my videos are so old and akward but I left them up in case anyone would want to watch haha! Do you know anything about amp dbs coming through the cable and how that might also have an effect internet and quality? The last tech that came to help out thought he had everything figured.. He attached an attenuator to the back of the modem without ever checking the cable amps with a meter, he did this based off of his own thought, told me initially that the cable wouldn't effect signal quality etc (whether it was deteriorated or lower bandwidth). I sense he hasn't got a clue what he was saying just then because obviously I still had the problem afterward and now leaving me more concerned than ever. I asked him several questions about bandwidth, coax cable, and even the amp dbs but he never gave me the right answers, good grief. I am glad you where able to assist me

[@kalijasin]

Thanks Ron :-)

[@Kumaresan-mj9lp]

Hi sir, great video ! May I know what you mean by both conductors (inner and outer) share the same centre access ? what is the access in the cable? thanks

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Rash the word is Axis not access sorry sometimes my accent gets the best of me. Hope that helps Ron

[@Kumaresan-mj9lp]

@@RonKipperDatacomm1 thanks for kind reply :)

[@yabbazabba1234]

A couple of bombs fell out??!! LOL!!!

[@jeffjohnson6258]

I bought a Sperry tt64202 cable tester because I'm getting no signal from my antenna. I have 3 lengths of of coax. I used a RG59 that was in the wall and runs through the attic, and attached a piece of RG 6 to either end. One to go from the attic end up to the roof, and another piece to extend from the wall end to another place in the wall. The tester shows a positive signal only when the main unit is connected to the remote unit with the coax connectors that came with the tester. I have tested all three sections of the coax that run from my wall individually, and get no positive signal. I'm stumped. I don't know how that can even be possible. Any thoughts?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Jeff Johnson Jeff I would recommend a new piece of RG-6 that runs directly from the wall outlet to the antenna. However what you are doing should work I am assuming total length of the cables is 40-60 feet? That tester will show either an open or short in a coaxial cable and does not measure signal strength. So if you have nothing it is an open. In that run of RG-59 is there a hidden splitter that may be causing your problem? The tester cannot test through one. Double check all the connections there is something you are not seeing that is causing the opens. If some strands of the braid get wrapped around the center conductor that will be a short which also causing no picture. Worse case take a length of RG-6 cable from the antenna to the room you want reception and see if you get a signal. If that works it has to be a problem with the cable in the wall.Good LuckRon

[@jeffjohnson6258]

***** Thanks, Ron. I figured it had to be the connections, and I went back and redid all of them being much more careful about the length of the dielectric and the copper wire. I had also used RG59 connectors on the RG6 cable, so I replaced those with the proper connectors. I had used RG59s because I had some around for some reason, and I figured it wouldn't matter since I thought their function was just to hold the connections together which they did, and I thought they would work fine if they were never stressed. I suspect the culprit was the somewhat careless cuts I made on the ends of the cable, but everything works find now. Thanks so much for your videos and for taking the time to answer me.

[@aracelirigueira6382]

Hi. Where can I find the capacity per meter data for RG174 and RG58? Can I rely upon that data if I am using cables from different manufacturers?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

The manufacturer should be able to provide you the specs of their cable. You might find some help on the SCTE website as well. Good luck Ron

[@BNC926]

Mr. Kipper, absolutely enjoy your videos. Extremely informative and helpful. I'd like to learn more about coaxial cables and assembly them. May I inquire if you're aware of a training program on the East Coast; where I can obtain training or certification. Thanks and I look forward watching more.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Christine Whitehead Christine good to hear from you. I will be doing some training on the east coast this year. If you like send me a note to my email and I will send you a schedule. [e-mail]

[@BNC926]

Mr. Kipper, you are awesome. Will do and thanks very much.

[@michaelcostello6991]

Great video. Thank you

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

These are getting old.......but the info is still good. Ron

[@jackkang4532]

I'm wanting to rerun my coax inside for internet phone instead of letting the cable company do it (they charge $50 per foot) do I need quad shield for this or? I'm not trying to be cheap but I don't want to be ripped off either! Or what would you recommend?

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

jack Kang Jack Quad shield RG-6 is usually not that much more in cost and if you have any issues with nearby electrical lines go ahead. If you do not have any issues with electrical noise then RG-6 is fine. Good luck running those lines.

[@jackkang4532]

***** thank you very much

[@jackkang4532]

***** I'm sorry to bother you again, rg6 vs rg6u?

[@HangLowKing]

+jack Kang the U is referring to the shielding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. But you'd get less outside interference with a U cable because it has a thicker shield.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Sorry Jack for being late back to you. The U stands for Universal from what I know and has nothing to do with the amount of shielding. In many cases CATV providers will install a RG-6/U drop cable to your home.

[@capitolkrs]

Well prepared contents but am afraid to say that your camera is so 1980s

[@pritam20001]

Doesn't matter ...You have done good job Sir

[@nathansampson662]

Incredible 😍 video

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hey Nathan thanks for the comment been awhile since I looked at that video... Ron

[@glassamerica1]

is antenna coaxial different than cable coax

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

tim mason No still going to be RG-6 more than likely.Ron

[@chamindajayasinghe2868]

How does braiding can stop low frequency noise? and foil can stop high freq noises?.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

I am not a cable engineer but I would say it is due to the longer wavelengths of lower frequency signals. The braid can handle the lower longer wavelength and the foil helps block the very short higher frequency wavelengths. Hopefully someone can add to that explaination. Thanks for watching Ron

[@dextrose67]

supportive thanks

[@kidyakuza]

very informative :) keep it going

[@1fanger]

Thanks

[@NecrophilicJesus]

thank you so much :'))))

[@ilyass_bouarasse]

thank you so much from 2024

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Cool I am lucky to have you out there. Ron

[@richpainter3090]

Ron, the 1920s are in the 20th century, not the 19th C.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

You are right..................Ron

[@Hydrostream1972]

cb cophase coax..9ft better then 12 ft when it comes to loss of power transmitt power

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hey Minnesota kid I doubt 3 more feet would make much if any difference. The two connections on either end probably lose more. Ron

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

you forgot about AIR COAX also, you dont know how radial dielectric transverse propagation occurs. electrons? the INVENTOR of the COAX, O. Heaviside denied electrons exist so did TESLA so did Maxwell you know very little buddy

[@swaminathan566]

Hi latest function cable tv sent me

[@swaminathan566]

All support

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Swami thanks for being out there Ron

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

what the hell? You said 'we cant use air as the center conductor" ???? like hell, GOOGLE AIR COAXIAL CABLE, its very expensive and used by TV stations!!!!!!!!! its a double copper tube separated by spiral plastic snake

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

No, it does NOT use the center conductor as a conductor, it uses it as a radial dielectric reflector. Common mental fart on your behalf. You dont understand how dielectricity conducts radially in a transverse EM geometry, but that is common. its also called AIR COAXIAL feed. I dont give a shit what its called, the only important factor is HOW it works. read the last section of this FREE book and gain some insight: www.kathodos.com/magnetism.pdf I translate 7 languages and graduated college 4 years early, and retired at age 32, I might be (no offense) a hair smarter than most and I dont believe in illogical nonsense.

[@pockydust3404]

@@KenTheoriaApophasis Chill. You don't have to be so rude.

[@tommason8386]

kind of limp on the explanation though

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

+Tom Mason Hey Tom I kind of cringe looking at these old videos they need to be redone at some point. Always can do a better job what would you add? Ron

[@BurtBowers]

😴Zzz💤Zzzz💤Zzzz💤

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

OK OK as I said it is the basics............Ron