Antenna cable with copper core. Tulips are not only flowers

I wonder how many people know how to choose an antenna cable for a TV on their own? It would seem that there is nothing difficult in buying a regular wire in order to connect the antenna to the TV. In fact, some characteristics of the TV cable can affect the quality of the transmitted signal, which directly affects the image quality. Therefore, before you go shopping, it is better to ask what parameters of the wire you need to pay attention to.

Antenna cable: structure, characteristics

The cable used to connect the television receiver and antenna is called coaxial or coaxial.

Coaxial (coaxial) cable is used to transmit electrical television and radio frequency signals. This wire provides signal transmission of excellent quality due to its structural features.

A quality coaxial cable should have the following components:

1. The outer insulating layer or shell. This layer is necessary to insulate conductors from mechanical damage and external environmental influences, such as moisture, dust, sunlight, and temperature changes. Special durable polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or fluoroplastic tape are used as raw materials for the manufacture of the shell.
2. A layer of outer conductor. The first level of the outer conductor layer is a braid of tightly woven aluminum or copper wires.
3. Screen. The second level of shield or outer conductor consists of foil.
4. Dielectric layer. It is designed to isolate external conductors from the central core. Made from foamed polyethylene or solid fluoroplastic tape.
5. Internal main conductor or core. It is a wire that can be single-component or twisted from several thin wires into a spiral. The main conductor is made of copper or steel, but at the same time covering the outer part with copper.

This wire structure protects the transmitted signal from external electromagnetic radiation that can cause interference or absorb it.

There are several types of coaxial wires that differ in characteristics.

According to the size of the outer insulating layer:

• super thin with a diameter of up to 1 mm;
• thin: the insulation diameter of such cables is from one and a half to three millimeters;
• medium: from 3.7 to 11 mm;
• large: the insulation diameter of large cables exceeds 11 mm.

If cable bending (flexibility) is possible:

• rigid, practically unbending. Thanks to the dense layer of insulating material, they have high resistance to mechanical stress, including bending;
• medium hard - bending up to 90 degrees is allowed;
• flexible cable. A type of cable whose structure allows bending;
• very flexible. This type of insulation is made of soft raw materials with low resistance to cable bending.

Nuances when choosing a coaxial cable

In order to purchase a high-quality cable that will last a long time, you need to consider some points. Namely:

1. In what environment will the cable be laid? This refers to the environmental conditions under which the conductor will be used. It’s one thing if the connected antenna is on the balcony and the main part of the conductor will run indoors. In this case, you can purchase a cable with a small diameter insulating layer, moderately flexible, so that it can be bent when laying. If most of the conductor will be laid outside, then you need to choose a model with insulation that can withstand temperature changes and precipitation.
2. It is better to think in advance where to buy an antenna cable for your TV.
3. Calculate the required length of the wire, taking into account turns and bends during installation, as well as the number of connected television receivers.
4. Take into account the type of signal transmission depending on the type of broadcasting: satellite, terrestrial or cable television. Of course, there is no need to buy several different types of conductors for different broadcast signals. But it will be useful to know that a wire with a central core less than 1 mm in diameter transmits satellite signals very poorly. Therefore, it is better to purchase a conductor with a core diameter of more than 1 mm.
5. For high-quality transmission of radio frequency waves, the screen under the braided layer must be made of foil or aluminum. In low-quality models, this layer may be made of cellophane, which does not contribute to the transmission of a good signal without interference.
6. You definitely need to pay attention to the quality of the outer insulating layer. It should not be easily subjected to mechanical stress, but it should be flexible enough for ease of installation.
7. It is also important not to forget to purchase the accessories that will be needed for installation and connection.

Review of antenna wires of different brands

We present an overview of models that will allow you to quickly choose an antenna cable for your TV and decide which one is better.

A number of models from the Russian manufacturer Rexant, presented in the table, are distinguished by their low cost and fairly good signal transmission quality. The cost ranges from 10 to 20 rubles per meter. Models RG 6 and RG 59 are ideal for indoor installation due to their sufficient flexibility and small outer diameter.

Conductors from the Italian manufacturer Cavel are more expensive, while providing high quality wiring and signal transmission. The cost per meter of cable from Cavel averages about 30 rubles per meter and more. The Sat 50 model is considered the most optimal in terms of price/quality ratio. Due to its versatility, Sat 50 is most often used for installation both indoors and outdoors. Moreover, it can be connected to transmit signals for both satellite, terrestrial, cable, and digital broadcasting.

Thus, deciding which coaxial cable to choose for your TV is quite simple, knowing the necessary parameters and characteristics.

Customers often complain about a weak TV signal in bad weather conditions. This may be due to poor quality TV cable. Sellers often assemble equipment from products that are not of high quality. This reduces the cost of equipment, and sellers can make a larger markup.

In order not to fall for tricks, you need to know which wire to choose. This is exactly what we will talk about in our article.

Types of cables

There are four types:

TV cable, which is better?

We'll sort it out the most common option television wire - coaxial. It is produced under different brands. But, they all have a wave impedance of 75 Ohms. Using such a television cable, you can connect several televisions. So, what brands are there:

• RG-6 cable. Produced under the Russian brand. Made in China. It has a copper or steel central core, the thickness of which is 1 mm. The central vein is in a shell made of polyethylene foam. The device itself consists of a screen made of foil, copper or aluminum braiding and a protective shell made of PVC. The thickness of the entire wire is 6–6.8 mm. This brand is used to connect digital, cable or regular television. The price for such a cable is low, only 10 rubles per meter. You can buy it in the online store.
• Cable PK-75. This brand is similar to the previous one. Produced in our country. Copper central core, the thickness of which is 1 mm. Screen made of copper or double aluminum lavsan and tinned copper. The cable has a single shield. Most often used for cable television. If there is a double screen, then you can connect satellite TV inside the building.
• RG-5 cable. This brand of cable is distinguished by its thickness, which is 0.58 mm. Outer diameter – 6 mm. The cable is designed to transmit any type of signal. Satellite television also transmits. Provided that the distance is no more than 190 m. Due to its thinness, the cable cannot pick up a signal at a distance of more than 190 m. The picture will be of poor quality, and the signal is weak.
• Worth noting: Model RG-5 and other similar options are used for the same device. Due to its thin structure, it breaks frequently. It is the most difficult to attach to sockets and connectors.

Foreign television wires

Let us highlight several options that are produced outside our country:

The coaxial version has many brands that differ not only in characteristics, but also in price.

How to choose the best TV cable

When choosing a cable for your TV, you need to decide which signal you need to catch. That is, what kind of television will be:

• Digital.
• Essential.

If you choose a device for terrestrial television, then digital will work with interference or will not work at all. In this case need to pay attention for the following features:

So, we looked at which TV cable to choose. In order for the cable to work well, it is necessary to choose it correctly. You can select a cable for cable television according to the following criteria: 6.5 mm cross-section, with two screens and a well-known brand. You can buy the device in the online store.

We connect, change, install, repair antenna cable for TV.
The antenna cable laid around the apartment is checked for weakening of the television signal and shielding of radio-electronic interference.

The "Parameters and Specifications" section provides the necessary information for the correct selection and purchase.

We provide service to all areas of Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region. on the use of cables and connectors to obtain high-quality television images.

Depending on the place where it is laid antenna cable for tv(small apartment or large country house), as well as from the source of the antenna signal (panel on the staircase, external terrestrial passive or active television antenna, or satellite dish), as well as from the number of connected televisions, impose different requirements on that “trickle” through which your favorite TV shows will flow into our home. The quality of the transmitted antenna signal is significantly influenced by several basic characteristics of the antenna television cable.

Which TV antenna cable is better?

The table below shows the characteristics and comparative parameters - antenna cable for tv:
Sat 703. TV cable manufacturer Cavel, diameter 6 mm, copper central core, double shield with copper braid.
Sat 50. Manufacturer Cavel, cable diameter 6 mm, copper central core, double shield with copper braid.
RG-6. Manufacturer Rexant, diameter 6 mm, copper-plated steel central core of the cable, double screen.
RG-59+CU. Manufacturer Rexant, diameter 5 mm, copper central core, cable with double shield and copper stranded braid.

As can be seen from the table: antenna cable for a TV - characteristics and parameters, the main difference appears at high frequencies in the UHF range of television channels. It is better to use a Cavel cable for a TV antenna for satellite television signals with a frequency of 1750 MHz.

Answer questions which tv cable is better And how to choose an antenna cable for a TV Labeling it helps. You should find out the specific operating conditions and the devices connected to it. It is also important to know the source of the television signal - terrestrial or satellite antenna, the climatic conditions of the cable, the total length of the installation, the number of connected TVs, the presence of powerful sources of electrical interference, the diameter of the outer insulating layer and even the color of the television cable should be taken into account when ordering.

1. Diameter - a television antenna cable with a smaller diameter is easier to lay around the apartment, mask, and has a smaller bending radius. But, in all other characteristics, it loses, and most importantly, it has a smaller not only overall size, but also the diameter of the central core: 0.5 mm. Therefore, the connection and connection of such a cable will not be good in standard connectors and splitters designed for a center conductor diameter of 1 mm.
2. Shielding - A modern television cable has a main metal foil shield and an additional metal braided shield, which reduce the level of interference from sources such as electric motors and transformers of household appliances, radiotelephones. Replacing an old single-screen cable with a dual-screen cable often improves picture quality: ripples from interference on the TV screen disappear.
3. Protective carbon layer- the presence of a protective carbon layer in the television cable implies its connection outdoors. Operating conditions, whether the product will experience temperature changes from + 40 in the summer to - 30 in the winter, determine the service life.
4. Composition of the central core and braid- it is believed that television wire with a copper central core is better. This opinion is not always true. A cable with a copper core is used in the installation of satellite systems, where direct current flows through the central core, together with the high-frequency television signal, to power the converter. In the case of cable and terrestrial television, the radio frequency signal - that is, essentially high-frequency currents - flows exclusively along the surface of the conductor. Thus, when transmitting antenna signals, a cable with a copper-plated steel core will not lose in attenuation characteristics.
5. TV cable length- the overall attenuation of the signal, that is, a decrease in the level of the television signal, is a multiple of its total length, and when installed inside an apartment, when about 30 meters are spent through a splitter, it has no practical significance.
6. TV cable color coding- there is an opinion that by the color of the external insulation, or the stripes applied to it, we can talk about its quality. It is believed that black cable is intended for outdoor use, and white cable is intended for indoor installation, that longitudinal color stripes indicate its quality, and green is the best. However, the properties can only be judged by the technical characteristics, in which there is no color marking. The choice of color depends on the buyer's preferences, and the presence of stripes of different colors on the cables simplifies the installation of cable systems with many wires.

REXANT TV cable marking

REXANT brand products appeared on the Russian market not so long ago. The company's production facilities are located in China. TV cables, as well as F-connectors, plugs, lugs, and adapters produced by REXANT are in mass demand due to their good price-quality ratio.

RG is produced by REXANT. The most widely used types of television coaxial cables are: RG-6U+CU; RG-6U; RG-59; RG-59+CU; 3C-2V and RG-58A/L.

REXANT RG-6U+CU wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper conductor with a diameter of 1 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 copper threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper, which allows simultaneous transmission of high frequency and direct current signals with minimal loss, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric that maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer sheath of the cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6.8 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the F-connector to it. The REXANT RG-6U+CU antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from satellite and terrestrial antennas, as well as cable television signals.

REXANT RG-6U wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 1 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 steel threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper-plated steel, which provides high-frequency signal transmission with minimal loss, but is not intended for direct current transmission, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric that maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer shell of the television cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6.8 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the F-connector to it. The REXANT RG-6U antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air antennas, as well as cable television signals.

REXANT RG-59+CU wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper conductor with a diameter of 0.58 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 copper threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper, allowing simultaneous transmission of high frequency and direct current signals with minimal loss, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric that maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer sheath of the cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 5.4 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-59 F-connector for 5 mm cable. The REXANT RG-59+CU antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from satellite and terrestrial antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

REXANT RG-59 characteristic impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 0.5 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 32 steel threads. The internal single-core conductor is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric, which maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and the screen. The outer shell of the television cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-59 F-connector for a 5 mm cable. The REXANT RG-59 antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air television antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

REXANT 3C-2V wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 0.5 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 32 steel threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper-plated steel, providing high-frequency signal transmission, and is enclosed in a 3 mm diameter FPE polyethylene dielectric, which maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer shell is made of PVC and has a diameter of 5 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-58 F-connector on it. The REXANT 3C2V antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

Options TV cable.

Total length from the signal source to the TV.
With a total cable length of less than 20 m, the practical impact is not noticeable. (Defining parameter: attenuation per meter of length)

Frequency range television signal carrier. The table of terrestrial analogue and digital channels, as well as the frequencies of cable television channels, are in the same range, and the carrier frequency of the television signal from the satellite antenna is much higher (the defining parameter is the frequency dependence of the attenuation).

Presence of electronic interference.
Modern tv cable protected by two shielding layers: foil and braid, the density of which significantly affects the effectiveness of the shielding factor. (parameter: shield efficiency)

Installation location- an antenna television cable laid outdoors is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, significant changes in temperature and humidity. (Determining parameter: aging coefficient. The presence of an external protective carbon layer significantly reduces the impact of the environment)

TV cable thickness, which is measured by external insulation (defining parameter: diameter). The ease of laying and masking depends on the diameter. Most often, a wire with a diameter of the outer insulating layer of 6 mm is used. Sometimes a thinner one, with a diameter of 5 mm, is used.

To connect your TV to a satellite dish, there is a special antenna cable. When it is correctly selected and properly connected, you can enjoy a clear image when watching your favorite TV shows, and the amount of interference is reduced to a minimum. We will talk about some of the nuances of choosing an antenna cable in this article.

What do you need to know to choose an antenna cable?

A coaxial RF cable is used to connect the antenna to the TV. First of all, it’s worth understanding how it works. This will help determine the quality of the cable by the cut, and not take the word of the salesperson in the store.

Conductor. At the very “heart” of the cable is a conductor, which is responsible for transmitting the signal. Most often, it is copper, but there are also cables with a copper-plated steel rod.

Insulation. A kind of layer between the inner and outer conductor. Consists of plastic, usually white.

External conductor. Usually consists of a screen and braid. The screen is a metal foil, and the braid is metal conductors intertwined with each other. The purpose of this cable layer is to protect the signal from external interference, such as transformers and home radiotelephones.

Protective shell. As the name suggests, it protects the cable from mechanical damage.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the cable design. Now let’s discuss in detail what you should pay attention to when choosing.

Copper or copper-plated steel in the antenna cable for a TV. Which is better?

There is a lot of debate about whether a rod made of copper or copper-plated steel is better. It is generally accepted that copper is the best conductor, and in most cases this is true. But there are some nuances.

If an antenna cable is needed for digital or terrestrial television, then the material of the rod is not particularly important. The fact is that in this case the signal passes along the surface of the rod, and it does not matter whether it is completely copper or just copper-coated on the surface.

Antenna cable braid

It is advisable to choose a cable with copper braid. And here it is worth paying attention to its density - the thicker it is, the less signals from outside will penetrate and create interference.

The presence of metal foil and winding is the main indicator of cable quality. The amount of interference and signal clarity depend on this. It’s better not to save money and buy a cable with a double shield - foil and winding. This way you won't be disappointed in the picture quality when watching TV.

Wave voltage of antenna cable

It is advisable to choose an antenna cable with a wave voltage of 75 Ohms. If you buy a cable with more or less voltage, this may lead to interference and other technical problems.

Pay attention to the thickness of the cable. The thicker it is (at least 6 mm in diameter) the better, since there will be less signal loss. Although thin cables are easier to install and have better flexibility, the image quality suffers with them. In addition, they are easily broken and damaged.

The Myth About Color Differences in Antenna Cables

There is an opinion that white cable is for interior work, and black cable is for exterior use. However, in reality there is no such clear distinction. You should choose the color solely based on your taste preferences, and you should check the purpose of the cable with the seller or look at the markings.

A cable intended for outdoor use must have a protective carbon layer - it will protect the cable from adverse environmental conditions and extend its service life.

How to find the right cable?

So, now we have decided on the main selection criteria. But how to find the right cable without being deceived by an ignorant seller?

To avoid such troubles and unnecessary hassle, and to feel more confident, you need to understand a little about labeling.

The marking is applied directly to the cable. There, the manufacturer, cable brand, wave voltage, and meter mark must be indicated (with each meter it changes by 1 unit). For clarity: the marking “CABLETECH RG 6U/48 75 OHM 055M” means that the cable is from the manufacturer CABLETECH, its brand is 6U/48, the wave voltage is 75 Ohms and the footage is 55 meters.

As already mentioned, the quality of the cable can be visually determined by the cut. In addition, a high-quality cable will be thick and stiff, so pay attention to this when purchasing. Try bending the cable, and if it is difficult to bend, this is in its favor.

Cheat sheet for the buyer

Below we have listed several brands of antenna cables with good quality and technical characteristics:

• RG 6U;
• SAT 50;
• SAT 703B;
• RG-6U+CU;
• DG 113.

Frequently asked questions about choosing an antenna cable

Which cable is better, domestic or foreign?

One cannot say anything categorically, but it has been observed in practice that foreign-made cables are better than domestic ones, even though they have aluminum or steel wire.

What length should I buy the cable?

Can I use a cable to connect multiple TVs?

Yes, for this you will need a splitter - a splitter, or “crab”, as it is popularly called. But in this case, it is worth considering that the more devices are connected to the antenna, the worse the signal will be, regardless of whether the other devices are working.

So, when choosing a cable, take into account the features of your type of connection, the above tips and carefully look at the markings - then you will not be disappointed in your purchase.

To connect your TV to a cable connection or antenna, you need to buy a special cable, process its ends and put on special plugs. If all the preparatory steps for connecting the TV are carried out incorrectly, analogue channels, like digital ones, will show a low-quality picture with a poor image and interference. This will happen because the antenna cable for the TV is losing signal somewhere or the installation was made incorrectly.

Selecting a TV cable

Selecting high-quality and necessary materials for connecting a TV is the most important undertaking. Even the most advanced and modern signal source and correctly installed plugs cannot guarantee a high-quality image if the wrong TV cable is used. Therefore, the question arises of how to choose the right television materials to connect to.

How to choose an antenna cable for your TV?

Before you go buy everything you need, you should understand the principle of operation of high-frequency current in a cable. In a home power network, current flows in the wire over its entire cross-section. The TV signal flows through the antenna conductor in a completely different way. Everyone knows how water is spun in a washing machine: the higher the speed, the stronger and faster the water is removed from the laundry under the influence of centrifugal force. As an example, we can also cite one of the moments of childhood when we were riding on a carousel, and how this force pressed us into the back of the chairs, pushing us out.

The antenna cable for a TV works in the same way, or more precisely, the signal current that moves in it. The higher the frequency signal, the closer to the surface of the cable it is distributed. If a current with a frequency of 1000 MHz is passed simultaneously through a 10 mm copper wire and a copper tube with a wall thickness of 1 mm, then the losses will be the same. Therefore, in military and space technologies, thin layers of gold or silver are used to produce antenna cables, which prevent severe signal loss. This is a very expensive method and is not used at home.

Due to the fact that the TV signal in the cable is small, it is impossible to measure its frequency at home without expensive equipment. Only after connecting the cable will it be possible to determine the quality of the transmitting signal.

Antenna cable for TV. Which one is better to choose?

Today, the electronic goods market offers various materials for connecting to a signal source, the cost of which varies over a wide range. All of them differ from each other not only in price, but also in quality of execution. The most popular and widespread is the coaxial antenna cable for TV, which is represented by different manufacturers and brands. This cable is successfully used for working with analog and digital television signals and even for high-frequency satellite antennas. The cable marking indicates the amount of signal loss.

Choosing the right material

What is the best antenna cable for TV? Experts advise when purchasing it to pay close attention to the markings located on the surface of the cable. It must have a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms. All television devices are designed for such parameters.

The diameter of the cable sheath cannot be less than 6 mm. The core and braid must be copper. Cables of the SAT 703B and DG 113 brands have these characteristics. But the RG 6U brand has a steel central core, which is electroplated with copper, aluminum foil is used for the screen, and a copper alloy is used for the braid. This antenna cable for a TV is a budget option. Thus, it becomes clear what material should be taken to connect to the signal source.

Connection process

To connect to the TV, you do not need to invite special workers. Everything can be done on your own if you follow the recommendations.

The analog and digital signal in the cable is only thousandths of a volt, so connecting the antenna cable to the TV is not dangerous for humans. It can be easily cut, and the other end can be included in the device. It is also absolutely safe if a short circuit occurs between the core and the screen film.

Install the plug on the cable

Plugs sold can be of three types depending on the diameter of the cable. Therefore, when purchasing this device, you need to check that it fits the antenna wire. Most experts advise purchasing an F-plug, as it matches signals coming from analog and digital sources.

How to connect an antenna cable to a TV? This technology is very simple. First, you need to separate the cable itself, wrap the screen film, you don’t have to do this, but the plug holds tighter in the first case, and screw on the connector.

In order for everything to work out neatly, you should carefully cut the top layer of the cable with a stationery knife, being careful not to damage the screen film. The incision should be several centimeters long.

After the cut, the upper part is folded back and cut off, as it is no longer needed. The foil and braid are wrapped back.

There is one secret that many people do not know: aluminum foil is treated with a thin layer of plastic on the inside for strength; it is impossible to peel it off. If you put a nozzle on it, the contact will be very poor. To prevent this from happening, you should fold the turned foil (its half) back. Thus, the conductive layer will be on the outside.

There are cases when the diameter of the plug is larger than the wire. Therefore, how to make an antenna cable for a TV so that the attachment does not fall off and the signal quality is not impaired? To do this, wrap the end of the cable with electrical tape, then the plug will not go anywhere on its own.

Then the insulation of the core is removed, a nozzle is put on the foil or electrical tape, a part of the unnecessary core that exceeds 3 mm is bit off with pliers, and that’s it - the cable for connecting to the TV is ready.

Sometimes the design of the TV or its location does not allow you to connect the antenna directly. In this case, there are plugs on sale that are bent at 90 0, which are perfect for any position.

Old types of attachments

Before the advent of all-metal plugs, attachments of a different design were used. They also did not need soldering, but they were put on a little differently. First, the upper metal part was unscrewed from the plastic base. Then the main body was put on the antenna cable for the TV, the winding with the screen was trimmed and the rest of the plug was screwed on top.

If you don't have any attachments on hand

It often happens in life when you need to find something, but it’s not there. It happens that you urgently need to connect your TV to the antenna, but you don’t have a plug at hand. Is it possible to get out of this situation? Of course, it’s possible, because the cable can be connected without an attachment. To do this, remove the top cover of the cable, 5 centimeters long, unscrew the screen, remove the insulating material and bend the core into a loop. It is advisable to wrap the foil with electrical tape.

To prevent the wire from falling out of the socket, fix it with matches or toothpicks.

Bad signal

There are times when there is a sharp deterioration in the image quality of the picture. There can be various reasons for this, the most common of which is cable damage. How to fix the antenna cable for a TV if a break has been found? After all, here you cannot do as with an ordinary wire: twist the break together and insulate the twisted area.

To get out of this situation, there are special metal connectors on sale, similar to the plug that is connected to the TV. Having found the location of the damage on the cable, it is divided into two parts. Each part is cleaned as described above (as when preparing the wire for putting on the nozzle). After preparing the cable parts, they are inserted into the connector and tightened with a special nut.

If the length is not enough

Wire extension occurs in the same way. Many people have found themselves in a situation where they moved furniture with a TV or repositioned it if it was wall-mounted, and now there is not enough cable to connect. That’s why the question arises about how to extend the antenna cable for a TV.

In the same way, take a connector and increase the required length. However, there are a couple of “buts” that you need to know:

1. When extending the cable, it is advisable to buy exactly the same brand of wire that is currently available. Under no circumstances should you use a cable with less markings. Otherwise, the signal quality will deteriorate.

2. When extending and connecting a television cable, even if everything is done carefully, the image quality may drop somewhat. No matter how well the connectors are screwed, a break in a solid core will still affect the signal for the worse. But this also depends on the transmitting source: if it is strong enough, then breaking the cable and its subsequent connection will not affect the quality of the picture.

Connecting multiple televisions

Connecting several televisions to a network or antenna that transmits an analog or digital signal is not difficult. The only thing is that you will need to put on not one plug, but several. For this purpose, you can buy a special splitter, popularly called a “crab” or “splitter”.

This device has one input for the antenna and several outputs for other wires. In order for the “crab” to function correctly, all its outputs are connected to television devices. If there is a pair of outputs, then connect two devices, if there are three, then to three TVs. There should be no free exits. If there is an unused connector left, you should put a plug on it, but the signal quality will decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase a “crab” with as many outputs as required to power the devices.

Experts emphasize that when connecting a cable through a “splitter,” the signal quality will still be lower, even if some TV does not work. This occurs due to the loss of current in the “crab” itself and the additional wire. There is even such a table:

Two TVs are connected - signal loss - 30%.

If the incoming analog or digital signal is already weak, then the image quality will drop sharply due to the connected “crab”. Thus, the more devices are connected, the worse the television picture will be. However, in cities where there are signal sources nearby, which in addition pass through special amplifiers, such problems practically do not occur. Residents of rural areas may encounter similar difficulties, and only if they still have not a satellite dish, but a simple analog antenna.

Amplifiers

If suddenly after connecting the “crab” the signal became worse, then you can put a special device in front of it - a television signal amplifier. Such a device is separately powered to the electrical network. It should be placed as close to the antenna or TV as possible. There are models of such devices that have several outputs. They are installed if you need to connect a certain number of television sets.

Bottom line

In conclusion, I would like to add that knowledge of how to choose an antenna cable for a TV and the ability to install it correctly are the most important points in connecting the antenna to the receiver. To do this, you should buy a good and high-quality wire. Nowadays, in many houses and apartments, television cables are hidden in the wall, in the Western style, with only a special outlet for the antenna. And this is very good, since the cable is not noticeable and is safe and sound without damage.

If this cannot be done, then it is recommended to at least close the wire in a special plastic box. After all, if it gets damaged, the image quality will drop. It is better to avoid this, so as not to later pull a new cable or install connectors, which can also affect the loss of signal.