Coax cable questions

[Sr SQ]

Hey guys this is my first post so please go easy on me if this is a dumb question but...
I have some 75ohm RG6QS coax left over from my satellite install and wondered if it could be used for making up some component/RGB cables and digital audio cable? I know its not as flexible and bigger in diameter but isn't my Rat Shack cables just RG59 cable, or...? I have a press for installing the press on F-connectors and the mfg says it will also do BNC/RCA compression fittings so I figured I could just pick up some nice RCA connectors and make my own nice cables? What do you think, bad idea? TIA

 

[Hi Ho]

It's a great idea! I made all of the RCA based cables in my system with RG-6 QS and they work great. The biggest advantage is that you can create custom lenghts so everything fits just right.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey guys this is my first post so please go easy on me if this is a dumb question but...
I have some 75ohm RG6QS coax left over from my satellite install and wondered if it could be used for making up some component/RGB cables and digital audio cable? I know its not as flexible and bigger in diameter but isn't my Rat Shack cables just RG59 cable, or...? I have a press for installing the press on F-connectors and the mfg says it will also do BNC/RCA compression fittings so I figured I could just pick up some nice RCA connectors and make my own nice cables? What do you think, bad idea? TIA

Not sure if all RS cables are made from rg59 types but that is fine too for most home applications.

Welcome

 

[Sr SQ]

Thanks for the replies guys
I also have about 75' of Beldon Video Cable that was left over from a camera install on one of the machines at work so I dragged it home thinking it might come in handy one day, its labeled ~ Video Brilliance by Beldon 9209 Precision Video Cable 850MHZ 3205 16 41 ROHS ~ it looks thinner than a RG59 cable and I didn't have much luck finding any info on Beldons site so....anyone think this might be a better suited cable or? I guess it wont hurt to make up a couple of cables and try it out? I have to figure out what size RCA I need to fit on this cable, then I will try it out. Funny thing is I really like tinkering around make up the different cables, to bad I didn't trully understand what I was doing

 

[crashkelly]

Welcome Sr SQ,

DIY cables is the forum I am venturing into with my HT space renos and I can't wait. I am going to be building all my cables, except for the HDMI's that I got from BlueJeansCable, and am happy that I will be able to create exactly what I want in exactly the length that I want.

I am one that is a bit stuck on asthetics so I have purchased some techflex, cable pants, and heat shrink tubing from PartsExpress so I can dress up my installation a bit. Not for everyone, but I thought I would mention it anyway

Good luck with your builds
Michael

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for the replies guys
I also have about 75' of Beldon Video Cable that was left over from a camera install on one of the machines at work so I dragged it home thinking it might come in handy one day, its labeled ~ Video Brilliance by Beldon 9209 Precision Video Cable 850MHZ 3205 16 41 ROHS ~ it looks thinner than a RG59 cable and I didn't have much luck finding any info on Beldons site so....anyone think this might be a better suited cable or? I guess it wont hurt to make up a couple of cables and try it out? I have to figure out what size RCA I need to fit on this cable, then I will try it out. Funny thing is I really like tinkering around make up the different cables, to bad I didn't trully understand what I was doing

Not all video cables are 75 Ohms. Since you have that amount, why not call Belden and I bet they can help more than their web site
In the end, if that is not 75 ohms, you can still use it for analog audio cables, sub-woofer cable or interconnect cable, if you can mate it to RCA plugs.

 

[Sr SQ]

Thanks Michael, nice to hear from another Canuck
I have used the PE Techflex before and it works great, I just finished placing a pretty large order of Techflex and shrink tube from this guy on ebay (can't post the link because I am a nubee)
based on recommendations from a bunch of members on the DIYMA forum, they all had nothing but praise for his service and product so I thought I would give him a try. Turns out he sells the same Flexopet in some sizes that I got from PE. I'm pretty sure it will cost me more to build my own cables when its all said and done but its something I enjoy and I will have the stuff left over to build many sets if I ever need to..
Does the BJC sell the the various cables in bulk for the user to terminate?

 

[Sr SQ]

Not all video cables are 75 Ohms. Since you have that amount, why not call Belden and I bet they can help more than their web site
In the end, if that is not 75 ohms, you can still use it for analog audio cables, sub-woofer cable or interconnect cable, if you can mate it to RCA plugs.

Thanks mtrycrafts
I actually got some time in on Beldens site and found the specs on the cable and it is in fact 75ohm
What attributes do I look for in a digital audio cable, same as the video transfer?
Thanks for all the help so far you guys have been great

 

[fmw]

Wouldn't antenna cable be pretty stiff for making interconnects? It just seems that it would be hard to manage in that application.

 

[crashkelly]

Thanks Michael, nice to hear from another Canuck
I have used the PE Techflex before and it works great, I just finished placing a pretty large order of Techflex and shrink tube from this guy on ebay (can't post the link because I am a nubee)
based on recommendations from a bunch of members on the DIYMA forum, they all had nothing but praise for his service and product so I thought I would give him a try. Turns out he sells the same Flexopet in some sizes that I got from PE. I'm pretty sure it will cost me more to build my own cables when its all said and done but its something I enjoy and I will have the stuff left over to build many sets if I ever need to..
Does the BJC sell the the various cables in bulk for the user to terminate?

Hi again Sr SQ,

Where abouts in Canada are you?

It does appear that BlueJeansCable selld unterminated cables. However, if I was ordering the cable from BJC, I wouls get them to terminate it as they do very good work at a very reasonable price.

For my builds I just bought a spool (500ft) of good quailty RG6 QS from Home Depot for about $80. Now I am not making 500 feet of cables, but all of the cables I am building are going in my almost complete basement HT area and most of the new coax was ran throughout the house for TV service and I am using the remainder for my cables.

The RG6 QS is a bit stiffer and is probably overkill for what I am doing but hey rather overkill than underkill

In terms of cost, it should be less than buying, unless you are using very expensive RCA's, Banana's,..... and to boot you get exactly what you want in the length you want it.

I bought RG6 QS compression RCA's from TechToolSupply (5 for $8.49) and they seem to be quite good. Only hassle is the colored ID rings are not included and only sold in packs of 100, but the cost is only $3.19 for a pack. I now have 98 yellow color ID rings I have no idea what to do with. Maybe I will make a necklace for my wife for Christmas

TechToolSupply also covers UPS brokerage to Canada so what you pay at checkout is what you pay period (other than exchange rate). It is shipped standard UPS so it might take an extra day or two but it is not too bad.

If you need HDMI I would definately get it from BJC. Excellent quality and their Series-1 Belden Bonded-Pair are about as thick as a garden hose.

Cheers and good luck
Michael

 

[Sr SQ]

I'm as far west as you can go without taking one of the provincial Cruise ships to the island
Thanks for the info on the BJC and I will check them out for a HDMI cable if I need one, as for the rest of the cables the fun for me is actually making them (and having them work) so finding a source for smaller amounts of bulk cable would be great.
Thanks for the link to tachtool I will check them out.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks mtrycrafts
I actually got some time in on Beldens site and found the specs on the cable and it is in fact 75ohm
What attributes do I look for in a digital audio cable, same as the video transfer?

Yes, same attributes, or even less as its bandwidth is way less than video.
A coat hanger was demonstrated to transmit digital audio in home applications, short distances.

While we are on video, have a look at this experiment:
http://www.provide.net/~djcarlst/abx_vid.htm

Be sure to read what the other cable was. While this was analog video and limited bandwidth, you can see what lengths of a 120V power cable was needed to corrupt the signal.

 

[KurtBJC]

Does the BJC sell the the various cables in bulk for the user to terminate?

We do, actually; we don't list them on our main site but we have a secondary site at www.rawcable.com which does offer various cables in cut lengths. We haven't quite gotten everything we intend to put up there yet, and the site's a bit bare-bones, but it does list a number of the Belden cables we stock as well as some connectors and what-not.

By the way, I'm not familiar with that Belden 9209 you have, but Belden does have a full spec sheet for that up on its site. It's a "mini-59" type cable, which can make finding connectors tough, but solder-on plugs will work just fine and aren't so fussy as to cable dimensions.

Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

 

[crashkelly]

I'm as far west as you can go without taking one of the provincial Cruise ships to the island
Thanks for the info on the BJC and I will check them out for a HDMI cable if I need one, as for the rest of the cables the fun for me is actually making them (and having them work) so finding a source for smaller amounts of bulk cable would be great.
Thanks for the link to tachtool I will check them out.

Ahhhh yes, the provincial Cruise ships. I lived most of my life on Vancouver Island, with the last almost 10years, up until I moved to Calgay last December, in Victoria. I loved it.

So far I have been lucky with my builds, all 3 cables so far, and they have worked flawlessly. I know I have been lucky.

Home depot will sell you quite decent quality RG6-QS, or just straight RG6, by the foot, or you can get your lengths from BJC. Either way you will get what you want and need. I will not try to push you in either direction as I know that BJC sells a very good quality product with the only extra being shipping and time which are both very reasonable.

Cheers and good luck
Michael

 

[Sr SQ]

Yes, same attributes, or even less as its bandwidth is way less than video.
A coat hanger was demonstrated to transmit digital audio in home applications, short distances.

While we are on video, have a look at this experiment:
http://www.provide.net/~djcarlst/abx_vid.htm

Be sure to read what the other cable was. While this was analog video and limited bandwidth, you can see what lengths of a 120V power cable was needed to corrupt the signal.

Thanks mtrycrafts, that some interesting info.
I wonder how much better the power cable would have done if it had been treated with snake oil or pixie dust

We do, actually; we don't list them on our main site but we have a secondary site at www.rawcable.com which does offer various cables in cut lengths. We haven't quite gotten everything we intend to put up there yet, and the site's a bit bare-bones, but it does list a number of the Belden cables we stock as well as some connectors and what-not.

By the way, I'm not familiar with that Belden 9209 you have, but Belden does have a full spec sheet for that up on its site. It's a "mini-59" type cable, which can make finding connectors tough, but solder-on plugs will work just fine and aren't so fussy as to cable dimensions.

Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

Thanks for the link Kurt, I will check it out.
I did see the spec sheet unfortunately the majority of it was written in a language I don't understand lol , I don't really know what any of those specs mean. I may be better off just ordering up some proper cable from you?
I'm going to tinker with this a little and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the info, you guys have been a great help.

 

[KurtBJC]

I did see the spec sheet unfortunately the majority of it was written in a language I don't understand lol , I don't really know what any of those specs mean.

Well, there's nothing too remarkable in there. Basically, it's a 75 ohm video cable, sweep-tested well beyond the limits of anything you're going to run through it, and it has excellent shield coverage (95% copper braid over foil) and a solid copper center conductor. Should be excellent stuff for any analog baseband video application.

Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

 

[Sr SQ]

Thanks Kurt, so what about the digital signals would there be a better choice?
What cable do you recommend/sell for the digital audio?

 

[KurtBJC]

This would be fine for digital audio, also; digital audio is run in 75 ohm video cable, and there's no difference between the two types of cable. Our usual recommendation for digital audio is 1694A; but this 9209 will be fine, and there will be absolutely no difference in performance (unless you run it a very long distance--it'd have to be at least a hundred feet or so--and run into trouble with attenuation, in which case the larger cable would work better).

Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

 

[Sr SQ]

Thanks again Kurt, your info has been extremely helpful.
I also want to commend you on being straight up about it and not trying to make me believe it was not going to work in order to make a sale, as many other vendors I have run into would have. Any future cables I need will come from you. Your cables come highly recommended from many forums and I see now for good reason, a companys success has to do with more than just the product it markets.
Regards
Paul