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testing coaxial cables

post #1 of 3
8/29/07 at 1:57pm
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Im adding a 2 tuner DVT to my setup and after connecting everytyhing, some of my HD channels and digital channels are dropping out. Called the cable company and they said there is no signal problem in my area. They are sending someone out but I would like to make sure my connections are good.
When crimping the coax, should the shielding contact the outer barrel of the connector? Im getting continuity between the center pin and the barrel.
Im using an Ideal crimp connector and Ideal crimper with 18AWG quad shield coax cable (pulled from my scrap structured wire bundle that was left over).
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post #2 of 3
8/29/07 at 7:32pm

Re: testing coaxial cables

Quote:
Originally Posted by ktm250rider
Im getting continuity between the center pin and the barrel.

Well, there's your problem. The barrel should be connected to the shield and the shield only, because that's the ground. If it is connected to the centre conductor, your signal is being grounded out.
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post #3 of 3
8/30/07 at 7:45pm

Re: testing coaxial cables

This may be a silly question, but you did disconnect both ends of the cable when checking for continuity, right? Assuming so, then continuity between the shield and the center conductor is definitely a bad thing.
You might have gotten one of the strands of the shield wrapped around the center conductor while stripping it if you use a rotary stripper. It happens to me fairly often (cheap stripper), so I always check for that before crimping. It could also be a small burr or something similar stuck in the connector.
Make sure to check both ends of the cable, as a short on either end could obviously cause your issue. When in doubt, just cut off the end and re-crimp. Or maybe there's just a nail or staple going through the cable shorting it out somewhere, in which case it's time for a new cable.

Hope this helps,
-- Dave
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