terminating a coax cable?

Airplay355

I'm trying to terminate a coax cable I just sent through the wall and I can't figure out how to do it or what the proper way is. I do not have a special tool for terminating the wire, do I need it? What exactly needs to appen in order to make the cable work?

I'm really frustrated and I hope I can get this solved tonight but I have a feeling I'm going to need to go to the hardware store to get the special tool.

Does anyone know if I need special plugs or whatever they are called for hi-def cable? Or does it only really matter what kind of wire I'm using, or does it not really matter at all. Thanks in advance.

ben62670

Video, or audio?

mantis

Go to radio shack and get there coax stripper. It comes with directions on how to properly terminate the cable. If you screw it up, you will not have a 75 ohm connection. This is critical to proper performance.
You should also get the correct ends and the correct tool to Install them. It might be better to call your cable company and pay for there guys to terminate your wires. It would be cheaper then buying all the tools, failing a few times, wasting a few end and maybe not terminate correctly.

Dan

BIZILL

i use RG-6 for all satellite and cable runs. i use compression terminations and i have a cheap $10 stripper for the RG-6 from ebay and i got a compression tool "crimper" from home depot for like $10 as well.

ben62670

I like the screw on connectors for video. Very easy, and very solid.

Rivrrat

ben62670 wrote: »

I like the screw on connectors for video. Very easy, and very solid.

+1 on the screw on connectors.

ben62670

Rivrrat wrote: »

+1 on the screw on connectors.

I see you have used them. They hold better than crimps, and need no special tools. I used them when I was an electrician. Expensive per piece, but a great connection:)

Rivrrat

I've never had a problem with any of the connections I've done, including replacing a failed crimp on connection outside on my sattelite dish.

BIZILL

let me add that i have no idea why i used the term "crimp" on my previous post.

steveinaz

As stated above, get yourself a good quality RG6/RG59 coax sleeve stripper snd crimper. Practice first on some scrap cable as it takes a little bit of finesse to get it right; especially the stripping.

Airplay355

Is there a difference between rg6 and rg59? the terminations i bought are rg 59 but i don't think the white part of the insulation is going to fit in those connectors. does that mean i have rg 6 cable?

DollarDave

Airplay355 wrote: »

Is there a difference between rg6 and rg59? the terminations i bought are rg 59 but i don't think the white part of the insulation is going to fit in those connectors. does that mean i have rg 6 cable?

You might even have RG6q cable and that is slightly larger also. "q" for quad sheilding. Check that before you run out to Home Depot and get RG6 terminators becuase they won't work either if that's the case..

Lowell_M

Screw on connectors are fine, compression is better. DONT USE CRIMP ON CONNECTORS.

RG6 or RG6 Quad shield would give you the best signal.

sucks2beme

a_mattison wrote: »

Screw on connectors are fine, compression is better. DONT USE CRIMP ON CONNECTORS.

RG6 or RG6 Quad shield would give you the best signal.

What's wrong with crimp, other than 90% of everyone does it wrong?
Many decades ago, I ran data services on CATV over a huge campus
area. I must of made thousands of crimps. My biggest problem was
teaching techs how to properly strip, comb and fold the braid. And most
of all, use the larger crimp die. Crushing the snot out of the connector
makes the crimp weaker. The secret was in the prep. I do have
the new style compression crimps now. At the time, compression
connectors didn't exist. And I prefer to strip using a utility knife.
Score, and break works better than cutting all the way through
and cutting the wire.

Airplay355

Well I used a crimp connector and I have no idea how to properly fold the braid but whatever I did, it's working.

I didn't use a crimping tool though, I just used some pliers to smush the bottom of the connector a little.

I bought the compression tool but I guess I didn't need it? I didn't use it.

If it's working, does that mean I did it correctly? I looked through the channels and I can't see any problems. The line will be carrying an HD signal though so if what I'm doing is going to **** things up I'd appreciate if someone could let me know. It's a 5 min trip to the hardware store so I can go get whatever I need.

WilliamM2

If it's working, does that mean I did it correctly?

Not really. Anytime I have seen someone use pliers on a crimp connection, it fails eventually. You should have bought a crimp tool for crimp connections. The compression tool is for compression connections. Pliers don't work well on either.

Lowell_M

sucks2beme wrote: »

What's wrong with crimp, other than 90% of everyone does it wrong?
Many decades ago, I ran data services on CATV over a huge campus
area. I must of made thousands of crimps. My biggest problem was
teaching techs how to properly strip, comb and fold the braid. And most
of all, use the larger crimp die. Crushing the snot out of the connector
makes the crimp weaker. The secret was in the prep. I do have
the new style compression crimps now. At the time, compression
connectors didn't exist. And I prefer to strip using a utility knife.
Score, and break works better than cutting all the way through
and cutting the wire.

That's the problem... 90% of everyone does it wrong.

sucks2beme

a_mattison wrote: »

That's the problem... 90% of everyone does it wrong.

Looks to be the case. Google is your friend. There's a bunch of sites with how-to
pictures. Always match connectors to the cable.