[mythtv-users] OT: RG-6 crimping question

[Meatwad]

gLaNDix (Jesse Kaufman) wrote:
> just bought a house and needed some info on running my own rg-6 cable 
> for my myth setup (and cable internet) ... i've had experience running 
> rg-6 (i used to do sprint broadband installs w/ getronics), but 
> unfortunately i didn't swipe one of the nice T&B snap-n-seal 
> crimper/stripper tools we used before i was laid off ;) ...
> 
> anyway, i have a tool similar to this: 
> http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-2984 
> at home that has a crimper for f-type crimp-on ends and can easily find 
> the crimp on ends that will work with it, but i wanted to know if this 
> tool will be "good enough" or if i should get something better ... i'd 
> *LOVE* to have this one: 
> http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html#TH-IT1000 but just can't justify 
> it for the few amount of times i'll be running RG-6 cable :(
> 
> any suggestions?  will that crimper work?  any tips on using a crimper 
> like that?  i've also seen hex crimpers for fairly cheap, would they be 
> any better?  i'd love a snap-n-seal, but i do'nt know anyone who has one 
> and it's just out of my price range for now :(

As a system integrator, I'd use nothing less than the Augat. As a 
renter/homeowner, tough call. Knowing the difference between a 
snap-n-seal compression termination and the classic hex-crimp style, I'm 
still inclined to recommend the expensive route.

Hex-crimp terminations are to be avoided in this day and age. As a pro 
who has done thousands of terminations, I'll never go back because even 
with practiced skill, a hex-crimp always has variable results. Newer 
compression terminations are solid and predictable.

But this isn't to say that you cannot achieve acceptable terminations 
using hex-crimp -- it's just difficult. Moreso when you deal with high 
bandwidth situations such as Comcast delivering voice, internet, analog 
cable, digital cable AND high-def cable all over a single quad-shield 
RG-6. High-def sat feeds from LNB's are even more demanding of bandwidth.

HTH