A Coax Cable Question
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
A Coax Cable Question
Here's my cable problem.
My cable connection(s) in the house sometimes loses it signal strenght.
The lower channels on the cable get tv fuzzy, and my internet connection stops working.
I go to a certain connection, unscrew the fitting, re-attach it, then everything works perfectly, for a few days.
Then it's the same thing all over again.
Is there some sort of "silicone grease" or "cable grease" that will prevent this from happening, and if there is, will it degrade the signal strenght?
Anyone know what might be causing this?
Thanks
My cable connection(s) in the house sometimes loses it signal strenght.
The lower channels on the cable get tv fuzzy, and my internet connection stops working.
I go to a certain connection, unscrew the fitting, re-attach it, then everything works perfectly, for a few days.
Then it's the same thing all over again.
Is there some sort of "silicone grease" or "cable grease" that will prevent this from happening, and if there is, will it degrade the signal strenght?
Anyone know what might be causing this?
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Just replace the connector. If its a plate on the wall, get a new one. If its the end of the cable, either replace the cable or just crimp on a new connector. There isn't any kind of grease at all, you just have to replace the faulty parts.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
What you need to do is contact your cable company. They can send out a tech to read the power levels at various points to see what is causing it.
First you can try replacing the connectors to see if that helps, but the problem may be outside your house. They sometimes have filters at the pole that could go bad..
First you can try replacing the connectors to see if that helps, but the problem may be outside your house. They sometimes have filters at the pole that could go bad..
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I have installed a large amount of cable in my home. I have cable outlets in 7 rooms and a distribution system for RF with amplifiers from two media distribution points in my house to all of the cable outlet locations. Initially I just used the crimp connectors from Radio Shack or the local industrial electronic supply house. Unfortunately connections that were exposed to any type of humidity like in the basement or outside corroded fairly rapidly and resulted in signal loss and interference. I noticed that the cable company used silicone dielectric compound on their outside connections which seemed to last fairly well. I have since rewired my house with quadshield and used silicone dielectric grease on all of the connections. I have noticed no problems with loss of signal for 5+ years now. I will continue to use silicone dielectric compound on my connections. When I strip the cable I dip the end of it in silicone before I insert the connector and crimp it. Then I use silicone on the threads etc also. This has worked very well. 
The cable techs have checked out the system and seem to like it!
BTW- Make sure you terminate ALL unused cable taps in your home.
The cable techs have checked out the system and seem to like it!
BTW- Make sure you terminate ALL unused cable taps in your home.
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 16, 2006 at 02:45 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Beaver, Ohio
you can't go wrong with a good hex crimp tool. IMO the twist on just don't give the good connect that the crimp tools do and they are not as durable
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
This is the tool I use to crimp:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
Maybe I'm stripping the coax improperly.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
Maybe I'm stripping the coax improperly.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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I use the the Ideal Crimp Master, with the No. 30-582 jaws. The tool is a little pricey at just under a hundred bucks. Amphenol makes good connectors, and you can get them thru www.newarkinone.com Locally try a Rexal Electric Supply, Amp/Tyco are good connectors. If the connectors get a lot of flexing its a good idea to use shrink tube over the crimp. Never used dielectric grease on them as we were making computer cable connections, and didn't want anything to wind up where it wasn't supposedto be.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Do you have any cheap splitters on that system.
If so, get rid of them and install quality splitters.
Those cheap splitters are prone to leaks and corrosion.
I use di-electric grease on all these type of connections.
If so, get rid of them and install quality splitters.
Those cheap splitters are prone to leaks and corrosion.
I use di-electric grease on all these type of connections.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 214
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good splitters
The better splitters are polished in color, not the dull bronze, it doesn't hurt to use thread sealer on the threads of the connector, but thats not the problem mount the splitter somewhere out of the weather is the best bet. Copper oxidizes in water and does inside the splitters, thats where you lose your connection. then when you move it you change the connection. I have 3 sets of crimpers, they are OK, but if you pull on the conector, they'll pull out, I use the screw on connectors then shrink tube the wHole thing.
Another question: Are you using RG-6 or RG-59? You should be using the RG-6 with todays digital connections, The 59 will create the same problems you are experiencing. My $.02
Another question: Are you using RG-6 or RG-59? You should be using the RG-6 with todays digital connections, The 59 will create the same problems you are experiencing. My $.02
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I use the same Radio Shack Hex crimper:
Catalog # 278-238, it is quick and easy.
I also have used the Catalog # 278-242 crimper and those connections have lasted also, you just have to crimp several times and go over the crimp again which is time consuming. It produces a good crimp tho that I have had no problems with.
I use the Catalog # 278-248 cable stripper.
I use RG-6/QS Quad Shield cable. It is more expensive and the connectors are larger.
Catalog # 278-238, it is quick and easy.
I also have used the Catalog # 278-242 crimper and those connections have lasted also, you just have to crimp several times and go over the crimp again which is time consuming. It produces a good crimp tho that I have had no problems with.
I use the Catalog # 278-248 cable stripper.
I use RG-6/QS Quad Shield cable. It is more expensive and the connectors are larger.
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 16, 2006 at 06:25 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I use RG-6 with compression (not crimp-on) fittings. Zero signal problems in over a year. You might check with your cable company. Mine told me that any time I needed more lengths of cable, they have plenty of them in their shop for free with the ends already on.
Another thing is to only split once. If you have 3 TVs and a computer, put a 4-way splitter/amp on the cable that comes in the house and run from there to each appliance. Don't split the signal in two, then split the already split signal twice to get four runs. Also, don't compress the coax jacket anywhere you secure it to something.
Jason
Another thing is to only split once. If you have 3 TVs and a computer, put a 4-way splitter/amp on the cable that comes in the house and run from there to each appliance. Don't split the signal in two, then split the already split signal twice to get four runs. Also, don't compress the coax jacket anywhere you secure it to something.
Jason