Path: ...!3.eu.feeder.erje.net!feeder.erje.net!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Don Y Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design Subject: Re: Dressing RG6 Date: Wed, 15 May 2024 09:22:47 -0700 Organization: A noiseless patient Spider Lines: 99 Message-ID: References: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Injection-Date: Wed, 15 May 2024 18:22:53 +0200 (CEST) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="78f075c53cdcb0cf9fbdb6abd4df5c62"; logging-data="1032783"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX19+JMcNFlLFNZu6LTuTiXlO" User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64; rv:102.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/102.2.2 Cancel-Lock: sha1:5Q1G9IgV2aOgvaEF9H3vLZrxJF4= In-Reply-To: Content-Language: en-US Bytes: 5544 On 5/15/2024 8:05 AM, Clive Arthur wrote: > On 14/05/2024 17:51, Don Y wrote: >> I've several short (a few feet) lengths of RG6 that I >> would like to "strongly coerce" into assuming a particular >> dressing. >> >> Securing the cables to a stationary surface isn't practical >> without significantly lengthening them and distorting >> their "natural" routing. > How about semi-rigid adhesive lined heat shrink tubing? > > https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3758112.pdf I'd have to look at it but can't imagine it would be any stiffer than RG6 itself. Part of the problem IS that stiffness; you can't impose a particular shape on the cable that it will keep without some other "enforcement". E.g., if you were to directly mate to a wall-mounted F-connector, you'd want to quickly bring the cable back towards the wall (to keep it from interfering with the other items using that "space"). You will, eventually, get back to the wall about 6 inches from that connection point (2" minimum bend radius; do the geometry). Now, you can connect to a splitter -- which can be fastened to that same wall (or, a coplanar surface). A few inches later, each output from the splitter will now have to find its way to its respective destination, avoiding any other devices that it encounters on that route and assuming an economical path to that destination. Then, the *second* wall-mounted F-connector can similarly snake around the cabling and devices for the first to find *its* devices. Noting, of course, that each such device somehow has to get its power and make its network connection (i.e., more boxes and cables in the way). Canvassing friends and neighbors, it seems that cable TV, satellite TV and OTA broadcasts are delivered to the home this way. In various combinations depending on the occupant's preferences and usage patterns. E.g., one of my neighbors has "cable" for his internet connection, OTA (roof-mounted antenna) for local TV (and radio!) and satellite for his "foreign" TV. Another neighbor has satellite and cable for his "domestic" TV (sports junkies) and internet. In a two-person household, it seems like 3 tuners are a minimum. This assumes two people watching (different programs) and one being recorded. [Here, SWMBO often ties up two tuners recording concurrent programs while I opt to watch a third "live"] In a four-person household (i.e., kids), add another 2 or 3 tuners. Recall that, even if the same program is being watched by two occupants ON DIFFERENT TVs, each will want to be able to channel-surf without interfering with the other's viewing. Five (or more) tuners (cable or OTA) currently require at least two physical devices. And, don't forget the cable modem! (I assume satellite receivers can be similarly configured). A TV tuner (cable or OTA) won't give you any "radio" capabilities so add devices for that. So, figure 7 (2+2 different types of TV, 2 radio, 1 modem) physical devices have to be wired to some number of F-connectors protruding from the wall. (and powered and accessed electronically) And, you want to put this pile of kit someplace out of the way, yet accessible. Professional in appearance. And, maintainable (not a hodge-podge of /ad hoc/ wiring). Instead of having an STB at *each* TV, a separate HiFi "somewhere", a modem sitting in your living room BEHIND that TV, etc. So, someplace like a closet, pantry, basement, attic, garage, etc. None of which were likely intended to house those bits of kit. Many basements are "unfinished", have sparse power distribution, etc. All (?) closets are devoid of power -- often true of pantries and cupboards, as well. Garages are often not "living spaces" (so, are subject to temperature extremes). I.e., houses aren't designed with "equipment rooms" in mind (industrial and commercial deployments are a piece of cake, by comparison!). So, you are intruding on OTHER uses for that space. Empirically, it seems like you need a bit less than a square foot of "surface" for each device and it's cabling -- IF you can dress all of the cabling nice and tight. (and, assuming you are a conscientious "installer"!) [Remember, YOU don't manufacture any of these devices so have to adapt to the mechanical configurations of THEIR manufacturers!] And, this is just the run-of-the-mill devices that you're already using...