Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
On 07/21/2012 09:55 PM, Bill Wichers wrote: If you're in an area where DSL service is available try asking the foreman at your phone company's local service yard. Rural C wire is not a twisted pair so it is generally replaced when a customer orders newer service that uses higher frequencies than the POTS that the rural C wire was intended to support. Wow! I always enjoy these bits of news from the rest of the world. Around here, rural C wire is never replaced. If a new DSL customer has problems, they will run a test on the line and try to solve it by re-doing connections, etc. If that doesn't fix the problem it's We're sorry, but your phone line is not of sufficient quality to support DSL. I'm afraid we cannot offer you DSL service. Have a nice day. I'm not saying the rural C wire drops are responsible for DSL failures, only that a lot of folks who theoretically should be able to get DSL can't, and replacing wire is not a strategy considered. 73, Paul N1BUG ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
If you're in an area where DSL service is available try asking the foreman at your phone company's local service yard. Rural C wire is not a twisted pair so it is generally replaced when a customer orders newer service that uses higher frequencies than the POTS that the rural C wire was intended to support. You can probably get scrap wire for free or scrap value. If you need to order the stuff new, a common manufacturer is General Cable. You will need the RUS number or general's part number to be able to order the wire (both are listed in their catalog). Note that there are probably other manufacturers of this type of wire but I've only ever ordered wire made by general cable. Any commercial electrical supply house can likely order the wire, although supply houses catering to the telcommuncations industry will be better able to help you if you have any questions (graybar is one such supply house with a national presense). You will have to order standard put up lengths which as I recall is an oddball number for this kind of wire (something like 600-800 foot minimum). If you can't find anyone that will take a single-reel order from a non-account customer let me know. I have a local place I've worked with commercially for maybe 20 years that I'm sure would be able to help you out. -Bill [Sent using Blackberry Messaging] - Original Message - From: topband-boun...@contesting.com topband-boun...@contesting.com To: topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Fri Jul 20 21:12:50 2012 Subject: Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable I know people who use that stuff, but where do you get C wire? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 5:18 PM, wa3...@comcast.net wrote: For a beverage I am now using telephone wire called C RURAL WIRE which is similar to what the telephone company uses as drop wire but much more sturdy.. two conductors of #14 copper clad steel ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
I am replacing the coax in my Beverage system and have a dumb question. When using flooded cable and compression F connectors, is it necessary to clean the goo off the stripped cable prior to installing the connector? If so, how? 73, Paul N1BUG ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
I am replacing the coax in my Beverage system and have a dumb question. When using flooded cable and compression F connectors, is it necessary to clean the goo off the stripped cable prior to installing the connector? If so, how? You normally won't need to clean it, just cut to size, fold the braid back if installation instructions tell you, and slide the connector on. Although less than safe, I clean mine with MEK when I need to clean it. That let's me inspect for stray strands easier if the cable is really gooey on the end. Other strong solvents also work. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
The goo can be left on the part thats inside the connector. I use lacquer thinner to remove any thats external otherwise its both annoying to handle as well as attracting anything from bugs to wind borne debris. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: N1BUG p...@n1bug.com To: Topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable I am replacing the coax in my Beverage system and have a dumb question. When using flooded cable and compression F connectors, is it necessary to clean the goo off the stripped cable prior to installing the connector? If so, how? 73, Paul N1BUG ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2437/5143 - Release Date: 07/20/12 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
On Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:15:28 -0400 N1BUG p...@n1bug.com wrote: I am replacing the coax in my Beverage system and have a dumb question. When using flooded cable and compression F connectors, is it necessary to clean the goo off the stripped cable Paul, I live near salt water in a very corrosive environment... I do three things: Clean the goo with solvent (alcohol or MEK), mostly to get a good visual on the strands. I apply Noalox (contact grease) to restore water resistance. Also, I silver plate the inner conductor using Cool Amps. I do the silver plating because I hate the looks of the black copper oxide that develops on the surface of the inner conductor after a while, not for RF reasons. I also cover the outside of the connectors with self-vulcanizing tape. Sounds like a lot of trouble, but around here any bare metal goes green in less than a week. 73, George ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
MEK), mostly to get a good visual on the strands. I apply Noalox (contact grease) to restore water resistance. Years and years ago, I headed enginering for a company that owned dozens of cable and MATV systems. Because of FCC regulations and proximity of some systems to airport flight paths, we tested a variety of things to reduce connector problems. We very quickly abandoned things like noalox and settled on either 100% pure GE silicon dielectric compound, or a Teflon based dielectric compound manufactured by a company in Lorain Ohio (or some city close to Lorain). We actually found an increase in connection problems with things like Noalox. Our policy evolved into dabbing the male connector inside with dielectric compound, and lightly smearing the female threads. We used the Teflon paste only on trunk lines. Noalox caused center pin connection problems on our trunk and drop cables, turning copper black. We had to replace many connectors that had Noalox contacting the copper. I think it was some sort of zinc-copper reaction, but that was years ago. 73 Tom ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
Thanks guys. All replies were helpful. I now have the information I need on this. I'm happy to know I can leave the goo alone. Now, as soon as I get enough weeds and thorny bushes out of the way to pull up the old coax and run the new stuff... 73, Paul ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
Bingo. Any difference in the GE stuff and the silicon grease found in auto stores? 73, Guy. On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 10:52 AM, Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com wrote: MEK), mostly to get a good visual on the strands. I apply Noalox (contact grease) to restore water resistance. Years and years ago, I headed enginering for a company that owned dozens of cable and MATV systems. Because of FCC regulations and proximity of some systems to airport flight paths, we tested a variety of things to reduce connector problems. We very quickly abandoned things like noalox and settled on either 100% pure GE silicon dielectric compound, or a Teflon based dielectric compound manufactured by a company in Lorain Ohio (or some city close to Lorain). We actually found an increase in connection problems with things like Noalox. Our policy evolved into dabbing the male connector inside with dielectric compound, and lightly smearing the female threads. We used the Teflon paste only on trunk lines. Noalox caused center pin connection problems on our trunk and drop cables, turning copper black. We had to replace many connectors that had Noalox contacting the copper. I think it was some sort of zinc-copper reaction, but that was years ago. 73 Tom ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
Bingo. Any difference in the GE stuff and the silicon grease found in auto stores? None that I can see. I use the stuff available from auto parts stores without any issue. I use it on every outdoor electrical connection. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Connector installation on flooded cable
I dont clean mine when I use flooded cable (including the 7/8 hardline type) but this stuff is damn tough to get off of your hands and if you need something to clean up (or the cable) try either GOOGONE or BESTINE .. both trade names I believe and both available in the hardware store. They work wonders.. Ohhh Tom, regarding the lightening problem and having beverages vaporize ... I use several (in my case 4) NE2 neon bulbs in parallel and solder them across the termination transformer to ground and another set soldered across the secondary of the feed transformer to ground. I learned this trick many years ago when working with dedicated telephone lines to remoted equipment (and think some alarm systems use it as well). It seems to bleed off static buildup and send it to ground before it (the voltage) gets to high. Of course nothing will stop a direct strike if it happens. For me this has had another benificial effect that being it helps bleed off some of the RF coming back down my beverage feed when I transmit with full legal limit (measured this to verify it too) but I still switch the beverage to ground on transmit. For a beverage I am now using telephone wire called C RURAL WIRE which is similar to what the telephone company uses as drop wire but much more sturdy.. two conductors of #14 copper clad steel suspended from poles and trees by an insulater used for electric fence.. actually the antenna is held to the insulator by one of the little 3 cable ties that break really easy.. if a tree falls on it the cable tie breaks and saves the antenna... ohh you can actually tow a car with the C RURAL WIRE its that tough. Jim WA3MEJ You normally won't need to clean it, just cut to size, fold the braid back if installation instructions tell you, and slide the connector on. Although less than safe, I clean mine with MEK when I need to clean it. That let's me inspect for stray strands easier if the cable is really gooey on the end. Other strong solvents also work. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
