What kind coax cable?

Question

I have some Coax cable in various lengths that lacks ends (or have damaged ends) from work on our house. It's been heaped into a drawer together. The one I know is RG6 (still has my first damaged crimp attempt on one end) looks the same size as what FiOS used and I can't tell if the other cables are the same size or slightly smaller.

Our house was wired with RG59 when it was built. The FiOS installer wired new things with RG6 or RG6Q, I don't know which but I think he said it was supposed to be the Quad-Core. I have some RG6 from installing cable to our basement (Lowe's was out of RG6Q ends and we needed the project done that weekend)

How do I tell these apart and know what compression fitting to get? There aren't markings on most of them and what markings are there don't say the grade.

Also, since it's very hard to get hold of RG6Q compression fittings can I use regular RG6 ends on a RG6Q cable? How? Where can I find RG59 compression fittings? Lowe's says they don't carry them.

Ironically, to spite my beginner crimping skills, the FiOS receiver on my run to the basement (split twice) has the strongest signal, even better than the few runs put in our house originally that aren't split. I guess RG6 with my compression connections is still better than RG59 with professionally installed hex-crimp ends.

Answer 1

Regular RG59 hex crimp connectors are available at Radio Shack.  You can also get RG6QS and RG6 connectors there.

You don't really need to get compression crimps and tools for any of these connectors.  It probably only makes a small difference in signal loss.  RG6 and RG6QS do use different connectors.

The key to crimping any connector is getting the strip lengths right and also getting the connector body pushed onto the cable enough so that the connector can compress onto the outer jacket.