Coax Cable: Termination and Crimping — Community

#1 May 26, 2004 at 7:32 am

Any cabling experts out there:

I'm wondering how hard it is to get good at putting connectors on coax cable. I currently have about 30 extra feet on my existing OTA antenna lead, and I need about that much for another project. So how hard is it to cut that cable to length, terminate the two new ends, and end up with two cables out of one. I have the basic skills: I can make computer cables and cat5e connectors. I've just never messed with coax, and don't know how sensitive it is for HD.

Yes, I know cable is relatively cheap, but I PROMISED the wife I was done investing in HT for a while :roll:

.

#2 May 26, 2004 at 12:13 pm

Grumpy,
It's not difficult at all...with the right tools (life lesson there folks...ehh).

What makes it easy and clean is a good crimping tool...not the $5 one that looks like a pair of plyers, but the $40 one that ratchets down on the connector. You can get it at Home Depot but if you can borrow one, good deal. You may also want to get the $6 rotary stripper...strips all the coax levels perfectly and in one shot.

If the cable is outdoors, I would recommend getting the Home Depot crimp connectors that are "Made for Outdoors" They're filled with silicone to help keep moisture out of the connector. If it's indoors, just grab a pack of Home Depot RG6 crimp connectors (about 10 in a pack). Also get a double female connector.

It's really not hard, but will end up costing you more than just buying a 25' coax cable...

#3 May 26, 2004 at 12:50 pm

I did all my own connectors. Go to Radio Shack and get the crimper and coax stripper tool. The stipper will strip off just the right amount of wire which makes it easy.

Cut to length
Strip ends with tool
Push on RG-6 connector (definitely use the outdoor type with silicone if you're outdoors)
Crimp
Done

Piece of cake unless you have a lot to do. I cheated and bought premade cables twice as long as I needed and cut them in half - only had to do half the connectors that way.

#4 May 26, 2004 at 9:24 pm

I usually advise people to stick with store bought cables since the machine made crimps are always reliable. You can get good at making your own, but your first few crimps might not be reliable long term. Make sure to get the right size connector. There are 3 sizes: for RG59, for RG6, and for RG6QS. Buy the biggest crimp tool you can find. Even the biggest will hurt your hands a little. The smaller tools are both painful and unreliable. I haven