Can RG-59 be used for cable TV , or is it for camera's ??
A lot of older cable TV installs used RG-59, copper coated steel with an aluminum braid. It has a thinner center conductor. It is still in use in a lot of places but is not used for new installs of CATV. The RG-59 for CCTV is a copper conductor and 95 percent copper braid.
RG-59 can be used- for short runs. It's loss at the high end of the CATV frequencies makes it unsuitable for new installs and anything over a few feet. Keep in mind also, and we have discussed this before, there are different types of RG-59. The old mil spec that has a copper braid over a solid polyethylene dielectric is common for video but has the highest loss but at video frequencies it's no problem.
The current RG-59 type cable has an aluminum braid over foil which is over a foam polyethylene dielectric. This will have a lower loss than the mil spec and is what was used for CATV until they added more channels to the top end making an RG-6 type cable necessary.
-Hal
The other problem with a lot of RG59 is the amount of shielding, some have only 50-60%, which is marginal for OTA, but unacceptable for CATV or SAT.
With CATV, the problem isn't as much noise leaking in, but signal leaking out causing interference to other services such as public safety.
Get RG-6 whenever you can.
I would also suggest RG-6, i would think the price would be worth using a lower grade cable.
The problem is all I need is 3 runs , and will have to buy 1000 feet spool and it needs to be plenium, so I dont want to have to purchase 1000 feet for 3 runs. We will never probably use it again. I have a small spool of RG-59 plenium was hoping it would work.
thanks for the responces
Steve:
Perhaps this might help to soften the blow as opposed to buying a full reel:
MCM Electronics (
www.mcminone.com or 800-543-4330) in Ohio sells plenum-rated RG6 in 500 foot spools. Their part number for it is 24-4955.
we put baluns on twisted pair when we had to do runs in plenum space. plenum coax is rediculously priced, always has been.
security system suppliers stock the baluns.
I like Franks idea, I'll check on the baluns
Baluns on twisted pair for CATV? I don't think so. Maybe on CCTV cameras.
Steve,
Save yourself the headaches and buy the RG6. Some of the electric supply places sell it by the foot. It'll save time and in the long run money. If you buy a roll, sell the rest on E-bay.
Even HD sells coax by the foot, but not plenum.
I know this is probably a little late in coming, but Markertek sells
Belden 1189AP by the foot
here near the bottom of the page. It's a plenum rated RG-6/U cable good to 1000MHz. They also sell the HD/SDI rated
Belden 1695A here . This is also a Plenum cable. I don't know your application, but I suspect the 1189AP will be sufficient.
All of my 59 is used for line level to sets for video distribution. Definately use 6 from demarc.