Need help joining TV aerial cable

[admin_exported]

I accidentally cut a cable in my house a few years ago which l'm pretty sure's connected to the arial on the roof. What I want to do is join the cable up again to try and get Freeview off it.

I don't have the part I cut off so I'm going to need a new cable with connector and advise on how to connect them. The cable from the wall is brown in colour, about 1cm in diameter and there are 5 bare copper wires running through it set into the insulation/shielding in a star shape pattern.

 

[Petherick]

Hi. If it's an aerial cable, it would normally be co-axial, so there'll be a centre conductor, then insulation, then braided outer, then outer insulation sheath. The star pattern you're seeing is probably the braided cable. Strip away some of the outer insulation and it should be obvious - but of course before you do anything check that it doesn't carry mains!

If you Google, you will find tutorials on stripping cable (try 'coax cable') and fitting connectors. The connectors are available from Screwfix, B&Q, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I think your right, its hard to make out but it looks like the tubular hole are just that and there is a copper wire at the core and there does appear to be some sort of outer braid. I don't think it's a mains cable as they have three conductors and the cable runs out onto the roof. Do you know what type of cable it is specifically as it's obviously thicker than the standard cable you get on indoor aerials? Regards, Garry

 

[Dave_]

garry79:I think your right, its hard to make out but it looks like the tubular hole are just that and there is a copper wire at the core and there does appear to be some sort of outer braid. I don't think it's a mains cable as they have three conductors and the cable runs out onto the roof. Do you know what type of cable it is specifically as it's obviously thicker than the standard cable you get on indoor aerials? Regards, Garry

It's generic/low quality/budget 'semi-airspaced dielectric' coaxial cable, by the sounds of it (like in the pic below - top right)

Used to be used a lot (pre-digital era) and still is, far to commonly by cowboy aerial installers and electricians...

 

[8009514]

garry79:

, about 1cm in diameter and there are 5 bare copper wires running through it set into the insulation/shielding in a star shape pattern.

Doesn't sound like an aerial cable from this description. It does, though, sound like it could be an old Redifusion cable. There may be evidence of cable linking houses together, normally running along just under the eaves. Its a system not been used for more than 20 years.

Rick

 

[Anonymous]

Right, thanks. I'm pretty sure it's RG6 cable now.

 

[Anonymous]

"Used to be used a lot (pre-digital era) and still is, far to commonly by cowboy aerial installers and electricians..."

You mean because it's got holes in? I wouldn't have thought it would've made any difference to most people's TV sets pre-digital.

 

[8009514]

Ah, I'm with it now. The 5 bare copper wires bit threw me. Yep, what you've got is def some old airspaced aerial cable like CT100 or similar.

Rick

 

[Dave_]

garry79:
"Used to be used a lot (pre-digital era) and still is, far to commonly by cowboy aerial installers and electricians..."

You mean because it's got holes in? I wouldn't have thought it would've made any difference to most people's TV sets pre-digital.

It was the norm for analogue installs, but not really suitable for digital (more so for digital satellite) due to its poor screening and high insertion losses...