Replacing my distribution cabling
 

My current setup appears not to be good enough for Freeview digital
distribution - being cabled in the old internal aerial coax - and at the end
of the longest runs I'm getting picture break-up and sound drop outs from
time to time. The worst of these starts life in the loft by leaving the
distribution amp as a brown coax of ancient lineage and somewhere along the
run changes to white coax. Heaven knows what goes on in between.........

Received wisdom on this group suggests that I should replace it all with
better quality low-loss "digital" cable. I have googled around a bit and it
seems to be a bit of a minefield in terms of cost/quality. Can anyone tell
me what exactly to buy and how much I should pay for it, please? - and where
to get it, if it's not too much trouble (bearing in mind I'm not "trade").

Thanks

Chas

"Chas Gill" wrote in message
...
My current setup appears not to be good enough for Freeview digital
distribution - being cabled in the old internal aerial coax - and at the end
of the longest runs I'm getting picture break-up and sound drop outs from
time to time. The worst of these starts life in the loft by leaving the
distribution amp as a brown coax of ancient lineage and somewhere along the
run changes to white coax. Heaven knows what goes on in between.........

Received wisdom on this group suggests that I should replace it all with
better quality low-loss "digital" cable. I have googled around a bit and it
seems to be a bit of a minefield in terms of cost/quality. Can anyone tell
me what exactly to buy and how much I should pay for it, please? - and where
to get it, if it's not too much trouble (bearing in mind I'm not "trade").


CT100 or PF100.

http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page8.htm

http://www.netcentral.co.uk/satcure/cable.htm. See also Bill's own site!


I used http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CAPF100W.html - by going to one of
their shops.

I suggest that you make sure that the signal from your aerial is adequate by
siting a freeview STB at the input to your distribution amplifier.

As a result of replacing my aerial and the cable down to my distribution
amplifier I now get just about perfect digital reception (100% quality on all 6
muxes). My amp and down stream cabling are all 20 years old. I am perhaps
fortunate that there are not to many sources of interference near my TVs.

--

Michael Chare

The older type UHF cable is solid dielecric, and quite high loss,
especially in the higher frequencies, and then reception can "suffer"
(ie, you get nothing!).

Standard practice now is to use "satellite" grade coax, with the
attenuation characteristics of ct100 (or better). ct100, is air spaced,
hence susceptible to moisture penetration if used outdoors, cables for
outdoor aerial use are now normally foam filled.

For indoor run only, I'd say rgu6 is acceptable, (though Dr Dish
disagrees), convenient since it's often sold in DIY stores as
"satellite cable"

Various other types are available, for some idea try website
www.cpc.co.uk and look for "satellite cable".

As Dr Dish points out, the official body www.cai.uk.org recommend
particular cables, though you'll have to find a supplier.

A "noisy" distribution amp will also degrade the signal.

"Chas Gill" wrote in message
...
My current setup appears not to be good enough for Freeview digital
distribution - being cabled in the old internal aerial coax - and at the
end
of the longest runs I'm getting picture break-up and sound drop outs from
time to time. The worst of these starts life in the loft by leaving the
distribution amp as a brown coax of ancient lineage and somewhere along
the
run changes to white coax. Heaven knows what goes on in between.........

Received wisdom on this group suggests that I should replace it all with
better quality low-loss "digital" cable. I have googled around a bit and
it
seems to be a bit of a minefield in terms of cost/quality. Can anyone
tell
me what exactly to buy and how much I should pay for it, please? - and
where
to get it, if it's not too much trouble (bearing in mind I'm not "trade").

Thanks

Chas



Or http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...37838&ts=81039 is good
value if you can get an order for £45 together to avoid postage/packing
costs. I often pad it out with AA batteries for the kids toys which are very
good value bought in bulk.