As I have been sorting out the rats nest of wires in the overhead cabinets above the driver, I came across a splice in the coax from the roof (antenna?} and feeding the antenna booster. I assume, at some point, that the Coax in from the roof was Input to something (satellite receiver?) but it doesn't make sense that it was before the booster.
This "splice" is simply a wire nut connecting the two ends of the coax. Unless I'm missing something here by intention is to properly terminate each of these ends with a proper RG connector and a junction.
Is my thinking straight on this?
Perhaps the intent was only to connect the "ground" parts (outer sheath) of the cable? Even so, should have been done correctly, as you propose.
Hi Guys,
As an old ham radio operator, splicing coax with anything else than a barrel connector is inviting serious impedance losses. That amounts to considerable signal loss for the higher, satellite frequencies.
Actually any splice is a detriment and N connectors or F connectors are better than the old UHF connectors... and the fewer the better.
For our 75 ohm TV and satellite cables it is far better to use RG-6 instead of the smaller RG- 59 coax.
Jim
2002 U320 42'
Build 5957
Home Depot will have everything you need to install a connector on each end and a barrel connector. I like the compression style rather than the screw on type. You will need to purchase the compression tool but they are not expensive and easy to operate. Go to YouTube to see how to prepare the cable for the fitting.
Don't make the mistake of ever using RG-58 as it's 50 ohms impedance.
Jim is quite correct about RG-6. The loss is less and can make a difference with marginal reception. Not much difference in price.
Lots of video examples here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rg+59+tool
Pierce
For less hassle, I would run a new cable. Easier then splicing it, and less signal loss.
There is 12 volt running up there also, so be careful, it will blow the 3 amp fuse to it