Please could someone explain to me how to re-wire an aerial cable?

Question

The cable is connected to an outside aerial and this works fine when attached to the tv, but I am trying to extend the cable into the next room, but my wiring techniques aren't too good.

But I cannot see where I am going wrong I am also doubting the cable that I am using as it seems cheap, Could this make a difference?

Thanks

Answer 1

DON'T use cheap cable (buy cheap = buy twice), especially if you want decent Freeview reception. It's actually better to use satellite cable (also known as CT100 or WF100 cable) - the type used for wiring up Sky dishes.

Don't be tempted to "bodge it" either, or you'll be cursed with bad TV reception. If you're uncomfortable with following the tutorial linked below (which involves the use of a soldering iron), call in the professionals.

How to wire an aerial cable properly:

http://www.megalithia.com/elect/bellingl...

Answer 2

Go to your electronics store or hdwe store and pick up the length you need with the fittings already attached. Make sure the coaxial cable is RG6 not rg59. It should say it on the package. If you mean by extending to the next room adding another tv then you will also need to pick up a splitter. Make sure the input of the splitter is connected to the antenna, and the outputs are going to the tv's.

Answer 3

well you could get an extension or get someone in, but also make sure you wear gloves

Answer 4

The quality of the cable does make a difference, a good coaxial cable will have plenty of wire around the core. Ok, in cross section you will have at the centre a copper core which is thick, then some plastic then a mesh of copper finally the plastic coating. First put the ring od the connector over the cable. Cut around half an inch of the outer plastic cover off. Push the wire mesh back and wrap this around the outside of the cable, this will add to the screening on the connector. Then cut the plastic sleeving that covers the inner core leaving about 1/2 inch of the inner copper. You will need to trip this bit to fit into the rest of the connector. s***w the connector together and Bob should be your uncle. Most important that you ensure none of the screening mesh type copper touches the inner core.

Answer 5

Make sure the centre wire is not touching the metal parts around it.

Answer 6

Do what Mrs B says. It is very sound advice. When you have attached the core of one cable to the core of the extension make sure that the joint is well insulated before you fasten the braids together.

Some places will sell you a jointing box that will enable you to extend your co-ax cable easily. The s***w connectors for the wires are "self-evident" when you take the cover off and have a look.

Alternatively, you could put a co-ax plug on each cut end of the cables and join them using a back-to-back female connector.

Whatever method you use it is absolutely vital that the core conductors do not touch the screens (the braid).

For Freeview use the quality of the cable is VERY important, so is the aerial itself (you don't want to be messing around with booster amplifiers, most are c**p).

Ideally you should be using modern double-screened cable throughout. If you are going to extend the aerial cable why not just replace the whole thing with a single length of new cable? It's easily available from paces like B&Q and not expensive. When you attach it to the aerial itself just make a careful note of how the old one is fitted.