19VATCH 19VATCA 17VATPCH500 - Satellite cable spec? The best one?

[joidevie]

Hi all.. I'm about to re-wire my sat setup in order to ensure the best possible signal (I'm right on the edge of the satellite footprint  in the South)

I'm trying to make sense of French specifications on cable and the best possible available.. 17db, 19db?? VATCH? VATCA? VATPCH? Can anyone help? There are a number available here for reference. Are gold connectors worth the extra, or should I invest in a crimping tool to make the joins to the plugs?

Many thanks!

[Anton Redman]

17 , 19 or 21 decibel indicates the signal loss for every 100 metres of cable at a frequency of 800 Mhz. Lower is better and you need ideally 17 db. PATCA is exterior grade - more expensive a metre but more resistant to UV breakdown.  VATCA interior use only.

Minimise your joints by having the cable come through the wall will a flying lead long enough to reach the digibox or numerique receiver. If you have any choice where the dish goes minimise the length of the cable runs.

The 'F' type connector which you need to for the LNB and the digibox/NR does not need to gold. You strip enough of the two sleevs so that the inner copper plugs directly into the two sockets. You also need good contact to the outer coax because this is how the digibox/NR sends instructions to the LNB. Might be worth buying a special wire striper for the co ax but a sharp knife and a steady hand will do the job. I do not think a crimp tool works with F type connectors ?

I would not buy over the internet except from a Satellite specialist

 

[joidevie]

Thanks Anton - great answer.. I have now since ordered some CT125 made from the UK - Apparently the 'best' brand available. I will also be losing the connectors I have in the old setup and will  reduce the run to 25m.. Let's hope this all helps..

[AnOther]

Good luck and do keep us posted on how you get on.

Anton, you can get crimp F connectors in all sizes. If only for enhanced security a crimped terminal will always be preferrable to a screw on one (and solder better still) but whether the advantage is worth the investment a crimping tool is debateable.

[Chancer]

Ernie

Who sells the F connectors for sattelite cable?  (CPC perhaps?)

I am still fudging around drilling out the centre pin of  BNC CCTV crimp connectors and would love to find a crimp connector that works with the core and outside diameters of sat cable.

[AnOther]

CPC, Radiospares (rswww.com), Maplin, eBay ?..............shouldn't be hard to find.

I tend to shy away from any sort of plugs with crimp center pins preferring to solder.

 

[RicandJo]

[quote user="joidevie"]Hi all.. I'm about to re-wire my sat setup in order to ensure the best possible signal (I'm right on the edge of the satellite footprint  in the South)[/quote]

I don't think you'll have any footprint issues unless you're using a minidish.  I have an 80cm dish and normal co-ax and I get a super reception........in Italy.........[:D]

[ChezShells]

I got uk tv a couple of years ago in Italy and Sardinia no probs using bog standard cable.

[joidevie]

Hi again..

We've just moved and I'm now laying cables under the floor for some new sat setups.

Should I have to use "exterior grade" coax as the last 5m runs up a wall - or is the pre green gained 17 VATC form Brico Depot OK if I leave the gain on right up to the LNB? Will look a bit ugly mind, with 3 separate cables jutting from the LNB all with green 20mm gain surrounding them..

Cheers..

[Théière]

[quote user="Chancer"]

Ernie

Who sells the F connectors for sattelite cable?  (CPC perhaps?)

I am still fudging around drilling out the centre pin of  BNC CCTV crimp connectors and would love to find a crimp connector that works with the core and outside diameters of sat cable.

[/quote]

Probably a bit late but I bought some (10) from Toolstation for less than the price for two at Maplin.