Intalling an F connector

Steps to putting an F connector on RG-6U cable. HD video and RF requires good connections. I group HD video and RF into the same category because the high bit rate of MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 is affected just like RF frequencies in wires. High frequencies tend to conduct on the outer edges of the conductors just like RF does in waveguide. If your outer edge is dirty with corrosion or poorly crimped connectors, you'll get errors in the bitstream that show up as blocking, pixellating or even weak signal indications. I'd avoid the cheap screw on connectors and use the crimp type or compression type of fittings. These require a tool, which is usually pretty inexpensive and is handy to have in your tool kit. Strippers are optional, as I usually use my pocket knife as I did in this video. I never sharpen the blade, and it's pretty dull. It will cut the insulation, but not the wires or my fingers. If you nick the inner conductor, clip it and start over. The "skin" of the wires must remain smooth. Avoid sharp bends, and keep those connectors dry! A lot of people will use standard electrical tape to seal the connections outside. This only works a few months, then it allows water in which, ruins your nice clean connections. Use a special rubberized sealing tape you can buy from most hardware stores to protect the connections.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• connector
• cable
• RG-6U
• antenna wire
• F-connector
• installing
• RF
• HD
• crimp-on
• compression
• F-fitting

[MrShelf56]

I use Belden 1694A for everything. It's an RG-6 cable rated up to 4.5 GHz. I use it for video, RF, and satellite. It's low loss, and passes full uncompressed HD video with room to spare. It's durable and U/V protected, and comes in many decorator colors!

[MorkaGraven]

@123medioerror For TV you use 75ohm cable, for radio 50ohm. If it's just a composite video input you're running, I'm not sure.

[MorkaGraven]

If you want the right tool for the job, you can get adjustale scutters that will prevent any nicking in the cables and lower the chance of any impedance mis-match.

[123medioerror]

Hi.... I'm using RG-59 cable for cameras CCTV. Is this cable okay to use? What cable do you recommend using?

[JoeyRapps1]

Awesome info for the novice (like me, who's too cheap to buy a jacket stripper). Thank you!

[mdlees]

Thanks!

[mythril4]

$8 to $10 coax stripping tool at homedepot, lowes, and radioshack. Does a perfect job every time and does not score the center conductor and destory the brade, fittings go right on. (dont use RG-59 fitting on RG-6 wire, in fact dont ever used RG-59 for anything).

This guy is using RG-6 which is good.

Crimp and screw on fittings are bad in high freaquency signals.

a signal at 2000MHz travels on the outer part of the white area, and signals around 100MHz travle on the center conductor.

[PFCAhammed]

thanks for the info