Even in the age of digital technologies and the total penetration of the Internet into all spheres of life, many apartments receive a television signal via cable. The wrong attitude towards its installation can have the most negative effect on the quality of the received signal, even if the most modern and expensive material is chosen. In the article, we will tell you how to connect a TV cable in different ways, and give recommendations for beginners.

Features of the cable

The television cable "comes" into the apartment from the floor board and is distributed to the television sets available in the house. To correctly wiring the TV cable around the apartment, you should follow some recommendations.

The main elements of the TV cable in stripped and completely stripped form

To avoid interference with the signal, it is recommended to locate the cable away from the electrical wiring. A telephone wire or cable for the Internet does not interfere with the normal passage of a TV signal, and therefore, the general laying of these communications in one cable channel is allowed. If it is impossible to avoid joint placement of an electric cable with a television cable, then you should purchase a TV cable with a living diameter of over 1 mm with a double protective screen.

Pull the cable around the apartment in one piece, avoiding any connections and twists that affect the quality of the picture. Crossing the cable with power grids is not recommended, but if it is impossible to avoid this, then the crossing should be arranged strictly at an angle of 90 °. Read also the article: → "".

The cable is routed to rooms to ensure shielding and high quality contacts and is performed using factory-made splitters. Hand-made devices are unlikely to be able to give an acceptable signal quality. You should also exclude the connection of a television cable with sharp bends or in a bay - the quality of the picture on the screen can suffer greatly from this.

It is better to lay the section of the line going from the floor box to the apartment in a widened cable channel, taking into account the possible activation of an alarm or an additional telephone line. For ease of maintenance, the splitters should be placed in places with easy access.


 Models of television cables may be different, but the general principle of their connection is the same.

How to choose the right cable

Even the most modern TV set and cable plugs cannot produce an acceptable image with insufficient quality cable. High-frequency TV signal currents flow slightly differently from home electrical currents. The higher the frequency of the current, the closer it flows to the edges of the main wire, therefore, cables used in the military or space industry are treated with a silver or gold compound in order to avoid a critical decrease in the quality of the TV signal.

Choosing a cable to connect

When selecting material, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

  • all designations must be present on the outer shell;
  • the resistance value of the product should be 75 ohms, because all television receivers are designed for this value;
  • the outer diameter must be more than 6 mm;
  • the main conductor and braided shield must be copper.

In the latter case, manufacturers often sin by striving to reduce the cost of production as much as possible by making the central core of steel and simply covering it with copper sputtering, braiding from copper alloys, and shielding from foil. Read also the article: → "".

TV cable marking

Let's consider the marking on the example of the Chinese TV cable RG 6U, the most common in our country.

An example of marking a Russian-made cable with an indication of the main characteristics and technical conditions

How to connect the cable to the plug

You can connect the plug to the cable on your own, especially since the voltage of the TV signal is too low to cause any harm to health. Even an unplugged cable is cut without fear of electric shock. Shorting between the braid and the main conductor is also not harmful. For different cable sizes, different plugs are produced, therefore, when choosing a cable, you need to pay attention to its diameter. F-plugs are most commonly used.

First, you need to cut the cable, which can be done in two ways:

  • with a bend of the braid;
  • without twist.

The most reliable method is considered to be cut with a twist, but if it is not possible to install the plug, then the second method is used. The cable is cut with a scalpel or a sharpened knife: the outer sheath is neatly cut to length without damaging the screen. Once the incision is complete, the insulation is folded back and removed.


 Step-by-step scheme of crimping a television cable with a bend of the braid and release of the main conductor by 3-5 mm

Copper braid and shielding foil are wrapped. In general, three types of shielding can be used in TV cables:

  • aluminium foil;
  • copper braid;
  • aluminum foil with copper braid.

Aluminum foil is often coated with polyethylene on the inside for reinforcement. It is unlikely that it will be possible to clean the film without spoiling the foil, therefore, to improve the contact of the screwed plug with the foil, its bent part is slightly wrapped back so that the uninsulated piece of foil is facing outward. If the cable diameter is too small, tape is wrapped around the end of the plug.

The insulation from the main conductor is removed in the usual way for many, similar to stripping the insulation from electrical wires, without damaging the conductor itself. Then the plug is screwed onto the foil, and the excess of the main vein is cut off with nippers or cut with a knife, leaving a section of about 3 mm long outside.

Connecting the cable to the antenna

The connection of the TV cable to the antenna should be carried out with the obligatory observance of the rules for switching electrical appliances, guided by the diagrams available in the technical passport of the TV. To complete the work you will need:

  • splitter;
  • antenna cable;
  • antenna amplifier;
  • nippers;
  • sharpened knife or scalpel;
  • soldering iron.

Antenna amplifier is used when the signal is not strong enough or too weak. The splitter is useful for connecting several TVs to one antenna at once. Read also the article: → "".


The cable is connected directly to the TV antenna using screw clamps

The cable, splitter and amplifier must be installed next to the wired cable. In an individual house, the best place to place all the appliances is in the attic. The end of the cable coming out from the antenna is connected to the amplifier through a special terminal. From the amplifier, the signal comes to the splitter, to which the television sets available in the house are connected. When connecting to a satellite dish, you will need to use a receiver to which a cable is connected via the antenna connector. The preparation of the cable is carried out in the same way as cutting it before connecting it to the plug.

Council number 1. Before connecting the TV, it is necessary to carefully check all the connections of the switching devices and the reliability of the installation of the plugs into the corresponding sockets. If the image is noisy or the signal is too weak, adjust the antenna amplifier settings.

Connecting to a splitter (splitter)

Nowadays, no one can be surprised by the presence of a TV set in every room. A small problem is the transmission of the TV signal to all receivers, since the signal source in most cases is one. The solution to this problem is the use of an antenna splitter. The picture quality when connecting TV sets through a splitter may deteriorate somewhat, but the connection process itself is not difficult and is completed in just a few minutes.

In stages, the connection diagram can be represented as follows:

  • choosing the location of the splitter and fixing it in it;
  • removing plugs from used connectors;
  • cutting and connecting a TV cable.

Connecting the cable in the box

When laying or connecting the cable, it is not allowed to twist it into knots and coils, bends or sharp bends, which sharply deteriorate the quality of the received TV signal.

Tip # 2: The section of the cable that goes first from the panel to the apartment should be placed in a wide cable channel.

In the case when the cable must be connected in the staircase using the soldering method, the length of the unshielded sections should be minimized, since their presence and length directly affect the signal and image quality. At the end of soldering, it is recommended to cover each contact under a layer of varnish - it is able to prevent the occurrence of foci of corrosion damage and the ingress of dust particles between the contacts. Dust adhering between the contacts causes the signal to deteriorate when the humidity rises: the image reproduced on an analog TV will snow heavily, and when a digital signal is transmitted, the image will simply disintegrate into pixels with an unpleasant squeak.


 Connecting the TV cable in the driveway is easy

FAQ

Question number 1. Is the F-plug suitable for digital to transmit digital TV signal, or only for analog?

Despite the fact that this type of plug has been used for a long time, and its connector and characteristics allow you to fully enjoy not only analog (by the way, in the near future, ceasing broadcasting forever) television, but also digital and satellite TV signals.

Question number 2. What to do and what to do if the diameter of the cable is slightly less than the diameter of the female thread of the plug? Indeed, in this case, reliable compression will not work.

Question number 3. When the plug is inserted into the corresponding socket, the TV cannot be placed against a wall. What is the way out of this situation?

In this case, you should use the angled plug, which can be purchased at almost any store that sells electrical appliances.

Question number 4. In old Soviet-made TVs, the cable was connected to the plug by soldering. How to connect a modern type of cable to it?

If the signal quality deteriorates or the cable needs to be replaced due to poor contact, the plug and cable can be connected, as before, using the soldering method.

Question number 5. How can several TVs be connected to an antenna or cable TV network at once?

To connect several television receivers, you can use a special device - a splitter, also called a "divider" or "splitter".


 The use of splitters to connect multiple TVs to one TV cable

Typical connection errors

  • Not everyone knows that the foil in the cable by some manufacturers is covered with polyethylene from the inside, which cannot be stripped even with a scalpel. Plastic, even with the highest quality stripping of the cable, will prevent the creation of high-quality contact with the plug. To avoid signal distortion, it is recommended to wrap a part of the unfolded foil in the opposite direction so that the conductive side is outside.
  • A typical mistake is that the thinnest braid wires hit the main core of the cable when it is crimped. This can result in degraded quality or intermittent signal dropout. A common mistake during installation and cable laying is its placement in the same skirting board with electrical wiring. This should not be done, otherwise the created interference can significantly spoil the mood when watching TV.

Nowadays, it is becoming more and more popular to watch TV channels online, although televisions are still used in many homes. Someone watches TV programs using a conventional antenna, someone using a satellite dish, and in most cases they use cable TV. It is worth noting that the antenna cable has a huge impact on the quality of television broadcasting. In the era of innovative technologies, it is difficult for consumers to decide on the choice of products of this type, therefore today we will focus on products of this type.

A bit of theory

Antenna cable consists of several conductive cores of small diameter, isolated from each other and covered with general insulation. The main task of the cable is to transmit induced interference to the TV. Any antenna cable has special characteristics that can be calculated using the formulas.

Antenna conductors are made in various designs, both from solid wires and from twisted cores. If it is necessary to make a flexible antenna cable, threads are used. It should be noted that the attenuation value depends on the performance of such a product. The more flexible the antenna cable, the higher the attenuation value, which, in turn, describes the loss of signal from the beginning of the power supply to the receiver.

How to determine the best TV cable?

At the moment, the market offers several types of antenna cables for TVs with a huge difference in cost. What's the difference? The first thing to pay attention to is the quality of the insulation. In cheaper versions, it is very fragile. The second criterion for the price range is the material from which the center conductor is made. Better to give preference to copper conductors. Antenna cable shielding for TV is also one of the defining criteria for the price range. The screen helps to obtain a clearer TV antenna signal.

Insulation

The outer sheath should be the most dense; the service life of the cable directly depends on it. One of the best and most reliable is fluoroplastic insulation. It is highly resistant to any external influences. In the production of antenna coaxial cables, PVC-based insulating materials are also used. This insulation has a rather low cost and is cheaper than other types of insulation. Its advantages include high elasticity and heat resistance.

Center conductor

The central conductor of the antenna coaxial cable is made of copper or alloys. The main conductor, made of copper, has a number of advantages, due to which it is incredibly resilient, reliable and not brittle, and also ensures correct fixation of the connection connector. The center conductor of the antenna cable, made of copper, contributes to the best DC loop impedance through the antenna wire. This cable parameter is very useful if long-length products are used, and amplifiers are used to power the entire structure.

Also, there is practically no signal distortion in a copper conductor, so it is preferable to choose just such devices. An important factor is the thickness of the core: the more, the better. Size plays a big role in this case, so be careful! Gold plated connector will provide better signal conductivity.

Shielding

Typically, a braided aluminum foil or film is used as a screen. In the production of cables of the old type, braided wire was used as shielding, although nowadays cables in this design are also found. The price of an antenna cable with one screen will be much lower, but it is impossible to use such a product for broadcasting a television signal.

With the help of the shield, it is possible to reduce the effect of noise on the cable and thereby reduce the level of noise emitted by it. Double-shielded cables have higher attenuation values, resulting in better quality of the transmitted TV signal. If the cable does not have a shielding layer in the form of a foil, then in the end the presence of additional interference on the TV screen is guaranteed, as well as a number of other side defects. It should also be noted that as the cable length increases, the signal level will deteriorate.

We have decided on the selection criteria and the price of the antenna cable, which on average is sixty rubles per meter, now we will consider the installation issues.

Compound

There are several options for how to connect the antenna cable. To connect the conductor through the adapter, the outer sheath must be removed from both ends of the cable. Next, you should clean the inner insulation of the conductor cores and make the connection through the adapter. To connect the plug to the socket, screw the TV plug on one end of the cable, and the TV jack on the other, and then connect them. For better reliability, it is necessary to wrap this connection with electrical tape.

The plug can be either straight or angled, and there is no difference in installation between them. The angled plug is used for connections where a straight plug is inconvenient to use and when making difficult turns.

Another way to connect the antenna cable is through an adapter with one input and two or more outputs. The splitter is fixed to the floor or wall to prevent the cable routing from being pulled out.

One of the old proven methods is twisting. This method is the least reliable because the connection is not immune to electrical noise. To improve the quality of the transmitted signal, the twist can be soldered with tin and placed away from the wiring in order to reduce the effect of interference.

Connection

Let's consider how to connect the antenna cable. When buying a cable, you need to make a small margin in length, since due to the large number of providers that provide television services, cables often fail.

In this regard, it may be necessary to re-cut the television cable. As a rule, installation boxes are located on the walls in the entrance, from which antenna cables go through the apartments. These boxes contain TV signal couplers. To connect the TV cable to the cable network, it is necessary to connect the antenna cable connector to the subscriber coupler located in the installation box, and the second cable connector is connected to the TV.

Connection

Sometimes the question arises about how to connect the antenna cable to the TV when the plug is missing. To connect a cable without a plug, it is necessary to remove the cable insulation, unscrew the shielding braid, and then clean the insulation of the central core.

If, for some reason, your braid is made of a metal such as aluminum, then several copper wires can be installed in the free connection space. For better reliability of fixing the cable in the connector, we recommend to seal the connection with improvised means, for example, with glue. Connecting in this way will serve for a long time and carry out a good retransmission of the television signal.

If we conduct an analysis, we can conclude that the most positive reviews are for CAVEL cable. Most users note the many advantages of this product.

One of the advantages of such cables is the elimination of moisture penetration inside. Since water significantly attenuates high frequency energy, it can cause a large loss of signal. Therefore, in cables of cheaper products, various foamed dielectrics and even carbon films are often used. However, they do not save the cable from catastrophic moisture absorption.

Also, one of the indisputable advantages of products of this brand is that when the cable is bent, the braid of the cables does not break, which cannot be said from those where the braid is not dense. Usually, after squeezing, the dielectric easily returns to its shape, and the braid remains in the same position, which leads to its deformation.

Finally

We hope that after reading this article, you have learned everything about antenna cables, because choosing between the best options will always help you in arranging your home. Remember that when choosing the product you need, you first need to consult with the seller. It is also recommended to always consider the chemical dielectric and its braid.

Often, manufacturers of television systems complete equipment with low-quality cable products (to reduce the cost of finished products). Consumers often complain about weak signal and interruptions in bad weather conditions. With which one is best for satellite TV, you need to figure it out before buying.

General view of a coaxial cable

For a standard antenna with a frequency of up to 2.1 GHz, models with an impedance of 75 Ohm are suitable (all TVs, amplifiers and splitters work with this parameter) such as RG 6U, SAT 50, SAT 703B and DG 113. Each has similar basic characteristics, but at the same time the cost they differ very much. The higher the product cost, the less signal loss. The next difference is the scope. To choose the right product, you need to figure out what characteristics the cable network should have.

Views

Coaxial cable is the most common type for the construction of television networks. Each TV device is equipped with a corresponding connector. It has not the best characteristics. Great for connecting home TV antennas to TVs.

The design of coaxial wires is such that the elements of the electromagnetic field are always between the conductors, and are completely isolated from each other. This guarantees absolute protection against the influence of external electromagnetic waves and excludes losses of the electromagnetic field to radiation. The signal is transmitted over the inner conductor.

Consists of three wires: one transmits video signals, the second right and the third left - stereo signals. Designed to connect video equipment (tape recorders, players), game consoles of the first generations to TV monitors and televisions. This type of cable can only carry analog signals. Connection to devices is in accordance with the color of the cords and connectors on the TV.

Composite cable for connecting video equipment

Component cable

New generation product. This species is capable of transmitting a digital satellite TV signal. All three conductors can transmit the image. The kit always contains a set for connecting audio tracks. Connection with TV devices must be made by colors.

HDMI, DVI cables

Designed to transmit high definition video signals. If the TV device is equipped with special HDMI connectors, then it is advisable to connect the antennas to them, because the image quality will be the best here. HDMI translates literally as high definition multimedia interface. DVI - digital video (the conductor does not transmit audio). An HDMI connector is used for audio tracks. Products in computer technology are widely used to connect modern video consoles and other gaming equipment.

Design

All television conductors have a similar design.

The cable consists of several elements:

  • inner conductor of single strand, stranded wire, copper tube or coiled copper wire;
  • insulation made of polyethylene, expanded polyvinyl chloride, fluoroplastic or an air gap, which can ensure the immobility of the inner and outer conductor;
  • outer conductor - foil, metal braid covered with a layer of aluminum film, corrugated tubes and turns of metal wire (aluminum or copper alloy, copper);
  • outer shell made of light-stabilized polyethylene (UV-resistant), fluoroplastic tape and polyvinyl chloride.

Coaxial and other TV wires are round. The standard diameter range is 4 to 8 mm. Larger or smaller diameter models are less popular.

Packaging of cable products

The presence of foil indicates the high quality of the product. The braid is a cross-woven metal wire mesh.

Choice

Before proceeding with the selection of cable products and fittings, it is necessary to decide which TV system will be at home: digital television or terrestrial. They work in different frequency ranges. If you install a system for terrestrial television, then satellite will not work at such frequencies or will, but with great interference. What you should pay attention to:

  • The characteristic impedance of the structure must be at least 75 ohms. This is the minimum value at which a signal arrives without interference.
  • The cut should clearly show the central and outer cores, two screens (aluminum foil and metal braid). The foil layer should be dense, overlapped, if the edges lag behind the shell, then this indicates that the product is of poor quality.
  • In the structure, the insulation should be as dense as possible with a large diameter so that rainwater and snow cannot get inside. Otherwise, it will be necessary to replace the TV network in a few months.
  • The braid must be of good quality. Otherwise, you will experience interference when watching channels in bad weather.
  • The optimum diameter is 6-7 mm. It is quite enough for a standard set of programs.
  • The central core can be made of copper or metal alloy. There is no fundamental difference in this parameter. Only the personal preferences of each master and the cost. Alloy cores are cheaper, but at the same time they are practically not inferior in signal quality to those made of copper.
  • In the house (apartment), it is recommended to lay a wire for digital TV, tk. it transmits more waves on all frequency bands than others.
  • The minimum allowable wire diameter is 3.5 mm. The larger the diameter value, the larger the reception range. If a small-diameter conductor is already available, then it is advisable to purchase a head-end and an amplifier in order to reduce losses and increase the efficiency of the installation.
  • You should not purchase products with one shielding layer. Such models do not meet the signaling standards. The picture quality will be very poor.
  • A high-quality television wire should have 2 shielding layers - foil and copper braid.
  • If coaxial or other wires will be operated in a region with difficult weather conditions, then a model with impregnation that protects the inner layers from temperature extremes, frequent snow and rain would be an excellent option.
  • You should choose the product of well-known brands that have positively proven themselves in the television network market: Belden, Mediaflex, Commscope.
  • If the installation involves laying two cables in parallel, then models with a diameter of at least 10 mm and with special protection against radio interference are required.

Popular models

RG-6U

RG-6U is the most popular due to its acceptable performance and low cost. Great for replacing old RK cable networks. The only drawback is the quick breakdown when working outdoors.

Note! For indoor installation, models with white insulation are needed, for outdoor networks they are suitable with black, with higher technical characteristics.

Specifications:

  • RG-6U is manufactured with a copper inner conductor, double shielded.
  • The insulation consists of a foil-porous polyethylene.
  • The outer conductor is an aluminum tape with a tinned copper braid.
  • Sheath - white or black polyethylene, 0.95 mm thick.

General view of the RG-6U cable

SAT 50

SAT 50 is a higher quality type of satellite wire. It is considered a complete analogue of the SAT 703 cable system, but less expensive.

Brief characteristics of SAT 50:

  • purpose - antenna cable;
  • internal conductive element - copper, 1 mm in diameter;
  • shielding - double (aluminum / polyester) braided with copper;
  • outer shell - high quality polyvinyl chloride (light stabilized);
  • wave resistance - 75 mm;
  • service life - 15 years (subject to use at home).

General view of the SAT 50 cable

RG-6U differs from SAT 50 in braiding, inner core thickness and cost. On average, in stores the price for SAT 50 is 20% higher than for RG-6U.

For the construction of a small television home network, as a rule, the less expensive option is chosen. If the housing is located in a region with harsh climatic conditions, then it is better to buy a more expensive model that has higher performance.

  • The circuits of coaxial wires are located away from electrical appliances - washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens and irons.
  • Joint laying with low-current circuits (internet, alarm, telephony) is allowed.
  • During installation, it is necessary to strive to reduce the connections and adhesions of cable products. The best option is to run one piece of the cable. Additional connections will reduce signal quality.
  • For branching, use factory-made splitters.
  • Intersections and bending of conductors must be performed strictly at right angles.
  • The sections from the main panel to the branching devices are performed in wide channels (for the possibility of increasing the load on the apartment, house in the future).
  • When buying, you should take into account the additional consumption of satellite wiring for descents, ascents and bends.
  • In the panel room, coaxial television cables are connected exclusively by soldering. Conductor exposure should always be reduced.
  • Amplifiers and splitters are installed in easily accessible but protected locations for ease of maintenance. The elements are placed in special boxes made of self-extinguishing plastic.

Additional devices

An additional device for the construction of systems is a splitter, which is needed to supply a signal to the apartment. The installation of several splitters makes it possible to distribute the wire to all rooms. The amplifiers are installed before the splitters. They are intended, as the name suggests, to amplify the input and transmission signals.

TV cable, an essential part of any home TV network. Whether it is terrestrial, cable, or satellite TV - the signal to your devices comes via cable. And often the signal level, the absence of interference in it, largely depends on the coaxial cable. This is the name of the radio frequency television cable.

How to choose a TV cable and what to remember when laying it

In this post I will not talk about how they are marked, what characteristics are in a coaxial cable. This is the lot of specialists and for the uninitiated person it is not easy to understand this, and it is not particularly necessary.

But if you decide to independently engage in the acquisition and laying of a cable, then a few tips will not hurt. I will share on what signs you can determine a low-quality television cable, which cable to use under what conditions, and a little about the correct installation.

However, I will remind and warn you. If you do not have the skills and knowledge of switching and routing RF cables, then think about whether it is worth laying the lines yourself in the walls or under the screed, when there will be no access to them in the future. In such cases, errors will not be easy to correct.

Well, in other cases, act boldly.

A modern TV cable looks like this.

Center conductor and cable sheath can be made A) Copper for more expensive cable.

B) From a metal alloy, but copper-plated.

C) The central core is copper-plated, and the braid is aluminum, or rather from some kind of white alloy.

The foil shield can also be copper-bonded or aluminum. In many cables, this is not a foil in its pure form, but a polyethylene film on which a metal spraying is applied from the outside. This solution makes the screen made of metallized film more durable and resistant to bending. In very cheap cable options, there is just a silver film from which there is no use.

In these times, the market is filled with products of the most varied quality and origin, this also applies to the subject of our conversation.

Therefore, when purchasing a cable, pay attention to its quality.

There is a blatant cheapness, when cutting such a cable, when you carefully, without damaging the braid itself, cut off the upper protective sheath, then the entire braid will simply crumble like dust, or it will be too "Liquid".

Another sign of a poor-quality cable is the not very tightly fitting upper insulating sheath, it simply rotates around the wire by hand, and can be easily removed from a small piece of cable by hand.

Also, a bad shell breaks easily and has a loose structure.

In no case should you buy such a cable, it's a waste of money. It will quickly begin to break and crack from frost and sun.

Below is an example of a cheap cable, but this is not a bad option yet. It happens that there is simply nothing left of the braid, a few hairs that will just fall off. A) The braid is thin B) the foil is cracked and peeled off C) The outer shell is too loose and pulls easily.

Therefore, when buying, ask the seller to show the internal content of the cable.

On the right, the cable is also inexpensive. It can be used, but only if it is possible to replace it and is better indoors. And also when a long cable length is not needed. I would not hide such a cable in the walls.

Pay attention to the labelingcable, its characteristic impedance is indicated - 75 Ohms (Ohms) This is the resistance that a television cable should have.

And here's another sample, the difference is obvious, isn't it?

Thick braid, foil that does not lag behind the inner insulator. Tight-fitting upper shell.

Also, a good TV cable should be flexible enough, this will allow you to lay it well, especially in places where you need to make a turn.

But when laying, try to avoid sharp corners on which the cable can rub, for example from the wind when descending from the roof against the corner of the wall. When this cannot be avoided, then in these places, if possible, it is advisable to fix the cable and make additional protection, well, at least a few layers of electrical tape.

It is also necessary to avoid kinks of the cable itself at an acute angle, so that it is not pinched at the bend.

If you need to pull the cable over long distances, especially if it has to hang horizontally, for example between houses, then it will be correct to use a special cable with a supporting steel core.

For outdoor use, it is better to inquire about the resistance of the cable to low temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. In a cable that is not adapted to such conditions, after a while the outer layer will become brittle, cracked and eventually saturated with water. There were cases when water flowed into the room from the cable like a hose.

There is a kind of cable specially for outdoor use, its peculiarity is that inside it is impregnated with a special gel. This gives additional protection against moisture penetration, this will last on the street for many years.

By the way, another installation error, if the cable enters the room through a hole in the wall or window, then this hole must be drilled at an angle, so that the hole outside is slightly lower than inside. This will prevent water from flowing in through the hole.

In general, there are special devices for winding the cable in such places without drilling. For example, the length is about 30 cm, you open the window, put the adapter and close the window.

Or this option: The principle is the same. But personally, I believe that the more solid the cable, the better.

Copper cable


Not all copper cables will have a stranded center wire as in the photo, there are also one thick core.

There is no need to purchase copper simply because ... ..

It is advisable to use it only when you need a long line length of 50 m and more. This will play a role due to the low attenuation factor in copper cable.

For example, when building a house, you plan to make cable wiring in all rooms, while the cable will be hidden in the walls, floor. The total length of such a line can be quite significant, and therefore the cable is needed with the lowest signal attenuation coefficient.

A good quality copper cable will do the trick.

Although now there are copper-bonded cables with very good characteristics.

And so the conclusion: If you are aiming for the cable to serve for a long time, select it in the right way.

For long lines: Cable with low signal attenuation is copper.

For hanging long lines: Cable with steel core.

For outdoor use: Resistant to weathering (Frost and Sun) Better with a special gel filler. But there are not necessarily other options.

If you are using an inexpensive cable, then do not hide it, leave the possibility for a quick replacement.

In the following posts about cable wiring, how to connect two or more TVs to one antenna, and another on this topic.

To connect the TV to a satellite dish, there is a special antenna cable. When it is correctly selected and connected correctly, you can enjoy a clear picture while watching your favorite TV shows, and the amount of interference is minimized. We will talk about some of the nuances of choosing an antenna cable in this article.

What do you need to know to choose an antenna cable?

An RF coaxial cable is used to connect the antenna to the TV. First of all, it is worth understanding how it works. This will help to determine the quality of the cable by the cut, and not take the word of the seller in the store.

    Conductor. At the very "heart" of the cable is a conductor, which is responsible for signal transmission. Most often, it is copper, but there are cables with a steel copper-plated rod.

    Insulation. A kind of layer between the inner and outer conductors. Consists of plastic, usually white.

    Outer conductor. Usually consists of a shield and braid. The shield is made of metal foil, and the braid is made of metal conductors intertwined. The purpose of this layer of the cable is to protect the signal from external interference such as transformers and home cordless phones.

    Protective shell. As the name implies, it protects the cable from mechanical damage.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the cable device. And now we will discuss in detail what you should pay attention to when choosing.

Copper or copper-plated steel in the antenna cable for the TV. What's better?

There is a lot of controversy about which core material - copper or copper-plated steel - is better. It is generally accepted that copper is the best conductor, and in most cases it is. But there are also some nuances.


If the antenna cable is needed for digital or terrestrial television, then the material of the rod does not really matter. The fact is that in this case the signal passes along the surface of the rod, and it does not matter whether it is completely copper, or only copper-plated along the surface.

Antenna cable braid

It is advisable to choose a copper-braided cable. And here it is worth paying attention to its density - the thicker it is, the less signals from the outside will penetrate and create interference.

The presence of metal foil and winding is the main indicator of the quality of the cable. Depends on this, the amount of interference and the clarity of the signal. It is better not to save money and purchase a cable with a double screen - foil and winding. This way you will not be disappointed with the picture quality when watching TV.

Antenna cable wave voltage

It is advisable to choose an antenna cable with a wave voltage of 75 ohms. If you buy a cable with a higher or lower voltage, it can lead to interference and other technical problems.

Pay attention to the thickness of the cable. The thicker it is (at least 6 mm in diameter), the better, since there will be less signal loss in it. Although thinner cables are easier to install and have better flexibility, picture quality suffers with them. Plus, they break and damage easily.

The myth of color differences in antenna cables

There is an opinion that the white cable is for indoor use, and the black one is for outdoor use. However, in reality, there is no such clear distinction. The color should be chosen solely based on your taste preferences, and the purpose of the cable should be checked with the seller or looked at the marking.

A cable intended for outdoor use must have a protective carbon layer - it will protect the cable from adverse environmental conditions and extend its service life.

How do I find the right cable?

So, here we have decided on the main selection criteria. But how to find the right cable and not be deceived by an ignorant seller?

To avoid such troubles and unnecessary hassle, as well as to feel more confident, you need to understand a little about the labeling.


The marking is applied directly to the cable. There, the manufacturer, the brand of the cable, the wave voltage, and the meter mark (with each meter changes by 1 unit) are indicated without fail. For clarity: the marking "CABLETECH RG 6U / 48 75 OHM 055M" means that the cable is from the manufacturer CABLETECH, its brand is 6U / 48, the wave voltage is 75 Ohm and the footage is 55 meters.


As already mentioned, the quality of the cable can be visually determined by the cut. Plus, a quality cable will be thick and stiff, so pay attention to that when buying. Try bending the cable, and if it does not work easily, that is in its favor.

Buyer's cheat sheet

Below we have listed several brands of antenna cables with good quality and specifications:

  • RG 6U;
  • SAT 50;
  • SAT 703B;
  • RG-6U + CU;
  • DG 113.

Frequently asked questions about choosing an antenna cable

Which cable is better, domestic or foreign?

One cannot say anything categorically, however, it has been noticed in practice that foreign-made cables are better than domestic ones, even though they have aluminum or steel wire.

How long should I buy the cable?

Can I use a cable to connect multiple TVs?

Yes, for this you need a splitter - a splitter, or "crab" as it is popularly called. But in this case, it should be borne in mind that the more devices are connected to the antenna, the worse the signal will be, and regardless of whether the other devices are working.

So, when choosing a cable, take into account the peculiarities of your type of connection, the above tips and carefully look at the marking - then you will not be disappointed in your purchase.