Antenna TV cable – how to choose a cable for cable and digital TV and how to connect the antenna cable correctly. In order to watch TV, you need not only the actual television receiver, but also the ability to use a high-quality antenna that will provide a television signal. In order to provide a signal to the TV, you need a special cable. If it was selected incorrectly or is damaged, then the viewing quality cannot be ensured.
Such a cable will be connected to the antenna on one side, and to the receiver or TV on the other.
Even if a good cable is used, when connecting, you need to check the quality of the connection. In this case, it should be borne in mind that a loose fit, dirt spots or traces of corrosion can significantly reduce the quality of the received television signal.
In order for a television cable to perform its functions well, it includes the following components:
- Inside it is a single wire or material that includes several cores. In some cases, a thin copper tube may be used for this.
- There is a layer of insulation around, which also increases the mechanical strength of the cable.
- Then there is a metal braid that provides shielding from interference. It can be made from foil or thin wire.
- There is another shell that serves as a second conductor.
- Next is another protective layer.
Cables for different types of antennas are arranged in a similar way. The difference lies in the features of the materials used and the characteristics of the cable.
Types of television cables
There are several most common brands of cables. The following is a description of their features.
SAT703
This TV cable combines high signal transmission quality and significant mechanical strength. It is suitable for connecting an antenna that is up to 50 meters away. The cable is used to work with both outdoor and indoor antennas. The gain is approximately 80 dB. This cable is also suitable in cases where the use of a splitter is required. The shell is made of polyethylene and has a white color.
RK 75
This is a Russian cable. The outer insulation is made of polyvinyl chloride and provides a high level of protection during use. The braid is made of tinned copper. There is high resistance to various temperature conditions. The cable can be operated at temperatures from -60 to +60 degrees. It is protected from UV rays and is insensitive to precipitation. One of the advantages is the affordable price.
DG 113
Suitable for use with any type of antenna – satellite, digital or terrestrial. The use of a hydrocarbon layer on the foamed dielectric provides powerful moisture protection. Cracking almost never occurs during long-term operation. The manufacturer claims that the service life of the cable is at least 15 years. Usually used for outdoor laying.
Choosing an antenna cable for different conditions and opportunities
To choose the right TV cable, you must first pay attention to the following:
- It is necessary to consider for what type of broadcasting it needs to be purchased – for analog or digital.
- You need to decide how many devices you plan to connect to the antenna.
- It will help if the owner first draws up a cable layout and its connection to devices.
- It is necessary to consider where exactly the antenna is located – in the room, on the outer wall, in the entrance or on the roof.
- It is necessary to consider how far the television signal will be transmitted over the cable. If it is significant, it is more profitable to purchase a higher quality cable.
In order to ensure a high-quality connection, it is necessary that the cable resistance be at least 75 ohms.
The outer sheath of the cable can be made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. In the first case it is white, in the second it is black. If the antenna is located on the street, the one that has a PVC sheath is more often chosen. Such a cable is considered more protected from adverse weather. However, keep in mind that the SAT 703 cable is also suitable for this purpose, although its protective layer is made of polyethylene and is white. SAT 703 cable:
The thickness of the shell provides strength provides resistance to bending. Protection against mechanical damage helps to increase the life of the cable. It is advantageous to use copper wire as the central core. It is generally accepted that it provides better signal transmission and provides higher protection against accidental damage. Other variants of the central vein are also actively used. The thickness of the wire should be between 0.3 and 1.0 mm. It is preferable to choose a wire with a larger cross section. This will help reduce attenuation during signal transmission. When choosing the cable thickness, consider the following. The thinner one is easier to lay, as it has better bending ability. At short distances, it will be able to provide high quality signal transmission. A thicker wire will get a good signal over longer distances, but it will be difficult to bend, which can sometimes cause routing problems. If necessary, you may need to purchase a signal amplifier. To determine the length of the cable, it is convenient to use a pre-compiled diagram. It is necessary to calculate the required length from it. It is better to buy with a small margin. This is necessary, for example, if the location of the cable is later changed or if it is accidentally damaged. It is better to buy with a small margin. This is necessary, for example, if the location of the cable is later changed or if it is accidentally damaged. It is better to buy with a small margin. This is necessary, for example, if the location of the cable is later changed or if it is accidentally damaged.
How to lay the antenna cable and connect the antenna
To make a connection, you must consider the location of the antenna. In urban apartments, it can be located on the outer wall of the house, indoors or on the roof of the house. In the latter case, we are usually talking about antennas intended for collective use. In a private house, the situation is similar – here the antenna can also be located inside the house, on its wall or roof. Connecting to a common antenna in an apartment building:
In order to connect to an antenna, you need to prepare the following:
- Connection cable.
- The F-connector provides a quality connection of the cable to the antenna, which does not allow distortion of the transmitted television signal or the appearance of interference.
- A splitter is needed in situations where you need to connect several devices that receive a television signal to one antenna. Each splitter has a certain number of connectors, which limits the maximum number of connected devices.
- An antenna socket may be used. Its use is beneficial in cases where the owner wants to hide the wires in the wall.
- The antenna jack provides a direct cable connection to the TV. It has two connectors – one of them is designed to connect the F-connector of the cable, the other corresponds to the connector that is on the TV or on the receiver.
Parts that apply to connect the antenna cable:
In some cases, if a cable that is too long is used, it will attenuate the received signal, which reduces the quality of television viewing. In such a situation, it is advantageous to use an appropriate amplifier. When the antenna is located outdoors, it may be vulnerable to lightning strikes. Installing lightning protection will help prevent damage in such a situation. When connecting to a common antenna in an apartment building, there are usually special sockets in the switchboard in the stairwell for connection using an F-connector. If your own antenna is used, the cable must be routed indoors. How to crimp and connect a TV cable F connector: https://youtu.be/QHEgt99mTkY When planning, you need to consider the configuration of the premises, the number and location of television receivers. For example, if there are two TVs in an apartment or house, then to show the programs you will need to use a splitter, to which cables will be connected to each of the devices. If you have one TV, there is no need to use a splitter. Having decided on the location, you need to draw up a wiring diagram. If a splitter is used, it must be located in a place where it will be convenient to pull wires to each receiver. When laying the cable, the following must be taken into account: it must be located in a place where it will be convenient to pull wires to each receiver. When laying the cable, the following must be taken into account: it must be located in a place where it will be convenient to pull wires to each receiver. When laying the cable, the following must be taken into account:
- If sharp bends are formed during installation, this may result in poor display quality and damage to the wire. Such situations should be avoided.
- Twisting increases the chance of interference. This will significantly reduce the quality of the received television signal.
- The longer the cable length, the higher it is recommended to select the signal quality. If it exceeds 35 meters, then you need to use an amplifier .
- The quality of the power supply plays an important role. If there is a high probability of sudden power surges where the cable is laid, then you should use a stabilizer.
- Where there are powerful heat sources in the house, they should be avoided when laying the wire. Prolonged exposure to heat may reduce its performance.
- Those who use drywall or similar walls in the apartment should use a special box for the cable in cases where the laying takes place behind them.
- Power lines or household appliances that have strong inrush currents should be avoided. If you violate this rule, then there will be interference in signal transmission.
- It is recommended to use a single piece of cable for each section. If broken into several pieces, the quality of the work will deteriorate.
