Coaxial Cable

[SARGE]

Gal bud has cable tv and we were thinking about switching to satellite. Would the internal coaxial wiring currently used be ok to use with satellite, or do we have to use a different grade, etc?

[rjfvillarosa]

A friend of mine over here has a business supplying and installing satellite TV systems and if what I have heard is correct you will need to change the cable.

[flanzig1]

Shouldn't be any problem as long as it is in good condition(no cracked insulation/kinks). Could check with the satellite company as to their recommended cable type is.

[mikeL]

When I switched to satellite the installer had to run a heavier grade co-ax cable, It didn't cost me any extra it was part of the install, once they look at it they installer will let you know.

[doubledragon5]

They can use the existing one if it is in good condition. Most Satellite Co will opt to run new cable just the same...

[flanzig1]

Dishnetwork says they use RG-6 cable. Older cable tv cable may be RG-58. RG-6 has thicker insulation than RG-58

[telegramsam]

I've used the same cable on both, but was told that splitters and things like that need to be upgraded. I only had one box, so I never saw what they were talking about. But if the cable isn't very old--ie internet quality, you should be good to go.

[SARGE]

Thanks fellers. Since we can get a free install, and just want one tv hooked up, guess we should then go with the new package. I'd like the old stuff at least left in place in case we decide to revert back to cable. I was thinking about the tech that would come and perhaps saving him some work. I've been there, done that, and was always glad when existing wiring was in place to accomodate my install.

[ktkendall]

Sarge:
I just did my own Satellite install a few months back, and did have to run new from the dish to the receiver, but my existing piece from upstairs to downstairs was good to run the second TV off of. I have the dual transponder setup anyways so no matter what I was going to end up running a new piece of coax from the dish so I ran both new pieces in from the dish. I bought one of the newer recievers though, that can run 2 TV's from 1 reciever which is really nice because you just pay for one TV that way, and don't have to mess around with splitters and more cables to run a second reciever. I have heard for years from several friends and coworkers how much they like Dish TV, and now I totally agree, I puts basic cable to shame and is only costing me a little over half of what basic cable was.

I bought the equip off of Ebay, installed it myself, so I did not have to sign up for any special packages for any set length of time that way, but it was a bit of work drilling more holes in the foundation of the house, and I ended up having to put in a service call to a local installer here to get the thing pointed right. Now that it's all in a working though we really like it.

[SARGE]

Thanks bud. As a tech yourself you know the hassles a customer wants you to do. I just want it to be right and perform

[mbossman2]

i have both in my house cable and sat.

the downlink from the dish is the heavier gauge RG6 and then enters the house with the standard cable company installed gauge

the only issue we ran into was that having both services on the same line: we had funky issues with some of the digital channels. the cable company came out and made new runs to the 2 rooms and poof, all the problems went away.

[sgtspector]

Any in house wiring wil be plenty good for the signal. They are not significantly different.

[juppy]

When we had our system installed, the guy told us that we likely needed the new wire. He said if the cable was in the attic or walls that it *might* be okay, but any that ran outside TO the house needed the newer stuff (RG-6) for the additional shielding. It wasn't that much farther from the outside to the receiver box on ours though, so he just ran new the whole way. If its not a big pain in the butt to install, I'd probably go ahead and run RG-6 the whole distance. But hey, that's just me, because I hate if I have trouble and I don't know whether its my old re-used stuff or if it's something I've installed new.

[newbuilder14]

I had satellite television installed 10 years ago or so, when it first came out, and we got new wiring. When I look at the wiring outside it looks like the satellite cable is a higher grade than the cable television wiring. However, I think what you have will work.

[David M]

Sarge....you can use the same cable. I did, and it worked just fine but I went ahead and bought a 75 foot length of RG-6 wire, so I would have brand new, factory spliced, single length of wire. If for some strange reason it does not work then go get a pre-spliced length of coax, up to 100 feet, at the hardware store. Beyond 100 feet and the signal loss (without amplification) is unacceptable. Get the shortest length you can get away with and have the least amount of connections possible. Run the same, shortest possible length of cable from the dish directly into the back of your satellite box. With each connection there is some signal loss. You are going to love having satellite over regular cable. Do not in any way connect your existing cable service into your new satellite system. Keep them separate.

Are you going to aim the dish or have an installer do it? You can do it but there are some tricks to getting the tilt, azimuth and altitude just right that are not explained very well in the instructions. You are dealing with three variables in aiming it and it has to be exact.

A little story to add: When I bought my last HD receiver, the guy at Circuit City tried to deny me the ability to purchase the three lobe HD antenna. I asked him why, and he told me they did not have any in stock...(he lied). I told him that I was told over the phone that they do have at least one in stock. He did not have an answer and then told me they are not allowed to sell them to customers. (lie number two). I asked why not? He told me I have to call DirecTV and order one from them. I called DirecTV and they said that if I want one I have to make arrangements to pay a subcontractor come out and install one. This is a bunch of BS I thought to myself.. So anyway, I came back to the store the next day and told a different sales person that I wanted to buy a new HD dish because the one I had was broken by a tree branch...(I am the one who lied this time). The guy had NO problem selling me one. Apparently there is some sort on nonsense going on between this Circuit City, the satellite provider and the subcontractors (a kickback perhaps) where they try to force you to pay for installation by denying you the ability to purchase a dish. I successfully installed mine without having to pay an installer, but I had to lie to do it.

[ktkendall]

Thanks bud. As a tech yourself you know the hassles a customer wants you to do. I just want it to be right and perform

We got out of the residential market quite a few years ago, actually back when we were still part of ATT, and I was quite glad not have to hassle with residential customers anymore, but of course we still have customers who either are running a business out of their home, or are just plain wealthy enough and have a big enough home to have a phone system in it, and I still from time to time have to visit those ones. Something about going into peoples homes that I really just do not care for.

[MaxRat]

We got out of the residential market quite a few years ago, actually back when we were still part of ATT, and I was quite glad not have to hassle with residential customers anymore, but of course we still have customers who either are running a business out of their home, or are just plain wealthy enough and have a big enough home to have a phone system in it, and I still from time to time have to visit those ones. Something about going into peoples homes that I really just do not care for.


So true....

In the business I am in I have to go into people home to do my work and you just never know what to expect or what you will be walking into...;)