Using Coaxial RG-6 for IC's?

jakelm

I have a pretty long run to my 2nd sub. Was thinking about coaxal cable to make the run. Then started thinking of coaxal cable for all my IC's.

I figured this cable holds up well outside, must be pretty tough.. And cost wise, not expensive at all.

Thoughts?

Nevermind: I used this button labeled search.....duuuuhhhhhh:o

ShinAce

Works great, do it.

mantis

Limited Bandwidth so it works fine.

jakelm

mantis wrote: »

Limited Bandwidth so it works fine.

Limited bandwidth? Please explain because my brain has shut down this afternoon.

ShinAce

RG6 is meant for signals extending into the GHz. That post should never have appeared as it means nothing.

wizzy

Great for long run interconnects, especially as it is shielded by design.

I think RG59 is cheaper and works just as well, but I'd get a second opinion.

Check this out, RG59 interconnect:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021803&p_id=2867&seq=1&format=2

wallstreet

Coax works fine. It's great for long video runs too. I've got coax for my sub and component video runs to the projector.

ShinAce

I used to work in an electronics shop.

This guy comes in one day and says I want to make my own component cable. So I find out he wants to make 10 feet worth. We're looking at the boxes of RG6 and he sees the industrial spools in the corner. I tell him there is some nice braided RG6(or RG62) back there but it's $3/metre. He walks straight to the spool I'm pointing out, realizes it's actually belden made cable. By the time he realizes the 9 metres he needs will only cost him $ 27, he asks for 18 metres. He used solder type RCAs for it and was off with three colors of heatshrink and a big grin. It was a 'precision video cable'.

Moral is, high quality RG6 is actually a VERY good cable and useful for nearly anything.

unc2701

RG-59 tends to work a little better for audio- it's usually low capacitance and the shielding can be more effective in the audio spectrum.

unc2701

... but if you're putting it in a wall, use RG-6 just 'cause you never know when you'll want to use that cable for something else.

jakelm

Now its to learn the correct way to splice and attach RCA jacks at the ends. Without having to use adapters.

mantis

wizzy wrote: »

Great for long run interconnects, especially as it is shielded by design.

I think RG59 is cheaper and works just as well, but I'd get a second opinion.

Check this out, RG59 interconnect:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021803&p_id=2867&seq=1&format=2

They both work just fine.

avguytx

I used RG6 for a long Sub RCA run in my living room, too. Lots of the custom installers use it for signal runs and terminate it with F connectors to wall plates (on the back side) and then plug in the RCA's on the front side. That's how mine are set up.

steveinaz

jakelm wrote: »

Now its to learn the correct way to splice and attach RCA jacks at the ends. Without having to use adapters.

Find an "IDEAL" or "Amphenol" brand coax splice kit, they are a little spendy but cheaper than 1 set of high end cables.

Don't go cheap on your crimp/slice kit, you'll hate yourself.

jakelm

I plan on building them myself. I deal with partsexpress, what connection would I use to turn the spliced cable into a RCA jack. Is it the standard RCA connector that you solder the wires on?

Would something like this work for RG6?
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=090-263

Or would this be better?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=091-1060

steveinaz

That's right...duh..I was thinking coaxial connectors. Number 2 looks good.

Eric W

OK here's the deal you really want to pay attention to what the center conductor is made of. Stuff for satellite use is usually steel core, copper clad which is TERRIBLE for audio and component/composite video. This is cause at the range of satellite TV (in the Ghz) due to the skin effect the signal is on the outside of the center conductor (where the copper is). Audio (20-20 kHz) and component/composite video is so low in bandwidth most of it travels through the center of the cable and steel is a VERY POOR conductor here compared to copper.

Soooo... If you want to use coax for audio, make sure you use a solid copper center conductor and NOT steel core.

jakelm

But how can you tell Eric? I dont every remembering seeing a label of steel or copper.

I have noticed that some cores are alot softer than others. Even from the same awg and labeling.

Is the copper softer than the steel? Is this a test you can do?

jakelm

Look at these 2 from Lowes. Is there a difference?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=coaxial

Eric W

Read the product description, if it says CCSC or something similar that stands for copper clad steel core. Most cable has some sort of model on it, you can check with the manufacturer, most of their websites have pretty detailed descriptions.

Yes, copper is softer then steel. Steel is also alot stronger (thus ideal for outdoor use). Keep in mind copper is also more expensive then steel so if you see stuff labeled for satellite TV and its cheap... well- its probably not the stuff you want to use.

Belden 1694A is great stuff with a solid copper core, that's why Blue Jeans cables uses it in some of their interconnects. Also, stranded is also much more flexible then solid core- so that may be the reason too. Flexibility/softness also depends on the dielectric material and the jacket and the braid of the shield so that's not a good test on what the material is.

Eric W

jakelm wrote: »

Look at these 2 from Lowes. Is there a difference?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=coaxial

I definately wouldn't use the 2nd one, its "CCS" Copper clad steel for the reasons mentioned above.

The first one does not say what material it is, but based on its price and stated application, I wouldn't use that one either.

jakelm

Thanks Eric, I did not know this. Running coaxial for my cable and antena, I have always used RG6 not aware of copper and steel. The cable has always worked great. Thanks for the info on using it for audio.

jakelm

Your just making my cheap, little project much more expensive....Thanks alot.....lol:p

steveinaz

Good point, you want a solid copper center conductor. I'd buy Belden cable in bulk.

unc2701

Just dig through the coax at your local HD and Lowes- they're not particular, but it's not unusual for them to stock some Belden & canare wire that's perfectly good. The type # will be printed on the sheath; copy it down & go home and look it up on the internet (they both have their catalogs online).

jakelm

This might not matter but, 18awg center core? Seems small for long runs. I know it will only be used for IC's, but if running under the house and around corners, to a length of 20-30'. Would there be resistance problems? Especially if used in place of speaker wire.

unc2701

Depending on the exact wire, you're good for up to several hundred feet- not at audiophile grade, but barely noticeable for watching TV, subwoofers, etc.

Don't run speaker level signals over coax- it REALLY was not designed for that.

jakelm

Found this @ partsexpress. Specs say 20awg solid copper. RG-58 network cable.

What do you think? It seems fairly cheap doesnt it?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=100-360

jakelm

Another problem. RCA plugs give specs on how big of a wire they can except. But the coaxial does not give a spec on its size. 6mm, 7.5mm, 8.5mm?? How do I know?

ShinAce

It is 20 gauge stranded center and only 72% shield coverage. Poor shielding.

ShinAce

jakelm wrote: »

Another problem. RCA plugs give specs on how big of a wire they can except. But the coaxial does not give a spec on its size. 6mm, 7.5mm, 8.5mm?? How do I know?

Go with the biggest possible, and remember that you can remove the spring which is what sets the size.