I wonder how many people know how to choose the antenna cable for the TV yourself? It would seem that there is nothing complicated in buying an ordinary wire in order to connect the antenna to the TV. In fact, some characteristics of the cable for the TV can affect the quality of the transmitted signal, on which the image quality directly depends. 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. Such a wire provides signal transmission of excellent quality due to the structural features.
A quality coaxial cable must have the following components:
- The outer insulating layer or sheath. This layer is necessary to isolate the conductors from mechanical damage and external environmental influences, such as moisture, dust, sunlight, temperature changes. As a raw material for the manufacture of the shell, special durable polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or fluoroplastic tape is used.
- Layer from the outer conductor. The first level of the outer conductor layer is a braid of aluminum or copper tightly woven wires.
- Screen. The second level of the screen or external conductor consists of foil.
- Dielectric layer. It is designed to isolate external conductors from the central core. It is made of foamed polyethylene or continuous fluoroplastic tape.
- The inner core conductor or core. It is a wire, which 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 structure of the wire 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 their characteristics.
According to the size of the outer insulating layer:
- superthin with a diameter up to 1 mm;
- thin: insulation diameter of such cables 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.
When bending cable (flexibility):
- rigid, practically not bending. Due 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. Type of cable, the structure of which allows bending;
- very flexible. This type of insulation is made of soft raw materials with low resistance to cable bends.
Nuances when choosing a coaxial cable
In order to purchase a high-quality cable that will last a long time, it is necessary to take into account some points. Namely:
- In what environment will the cable be laid. This refers to the environmental conditions under which the conductor will be used. It is one thing if the connected antenna is located on the balcony and the main part of the conductor will be held indoors. In this case, you can purchase a cable with a small diameter of the insulating layer, moderately flexible, so that it can be bent during installation. If most of the conductor will be laid outside, then you need to choose a model with insulation, which can withstand changes in temperature and precipitation.
- It is better to think in advance where to buy an antenna cable for a TV.
- Calculate the required wire length, taking into account the turns and bends when laying, as well as the number of connected television receivers.
- 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 of less than 1 mm in diameter passes the satellite signal very poorly. Therefore, it is better to purchase a conductor with a residential diameter of more than 1 mm.
- For high-quality transmission of radio frequency waves, the screen under the braid layer should be made of foil or aluminum. In low-quality models, this layer can be made of cellophane, which does not contribute to the transmission of a good signal without interference.
- Be sure 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.
- It is also important not to forget to purchase accessories that will be needed for laying and connecting.
Overview of antenna wires of different brands
We present a review of models that will allow you to quickly select the antenna cable for the TV and decide which is better.
| Name | |||||
| Characteristics | REXANT model RG 6U | REXANT Model RG59 | SAT series 50 | SAT series 703 | RK series 75 |
| The thickness of the inner core | 1 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | 1.13 mm | 1 mm |
| Center Conductor Material | solid copper plated steel wire | single core copper-plated | copper core | single core copper conductor | single component copper core |
| Screen specifications | foil aluminum with steel braid | aluminum foil with steel threads | reinforced screen includes two layers of foil with a layer of braid of copper-tin | screen with a double layer of aluminum foil with plastic coated with a copper-tin braid | copper braid and aluminum dacron |
| The diameter of the outer layer of the shell, mm | 6,8 | 6 | 6,6 | 6,6 | 6 |
| Resistance value, Ohm | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Opportunities | transmits signals of terrestrial and cable television | Used to connect to terrestrial antennas. Can transmit cable TV signal over short distances | transmits signals of cable, digital and terrestrial television | most often used for cable broadcasting and for outdoor installation | used for cable and ether type signal |
A number of models from the Russian manufacturer Rexant, presented in the table, are notable for their low cost and reasonably good signal transmission quality. The cost is from 10 to 20 rubles per meter. Models RG 6 and RG 59 are excellent for indoor installation, as they have sufficient flexibility and a small outer diameter.
Conductors from the Italian manufacturer Cavel are more expensive, while ensuring high quality wiring and signal transmission. The cost per meter of cable from Cavel is on average about 30 rubles per meter and above. 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 a signal for satellite, terrestrial, cable, and for digital broadcasting.
Thus, deciding which one to choose a coaxial cable for a TV is quite simple, knowing the necessary parameters and characteristics.
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