[Fourlanders] Cat-5 Cable question

[Neal Sulmeyer]

In trying to reduce RFI with shielded CAT5 will in all likelihood not
help.  First of all, the switch box probably has a plastic case.
Secondly, it is even more unlikely that the Ethernet connectors on the
switches and on the computers do not support shielded CAT5.  I have only
seen this on very expensive high end switches and routers.  And of
course, you need special connectors for the cable.  

As I recall, Jeff had some CAT8, which uses a tighter twist.  Although,
according to Jeff, this cable is very expensive, we would not need very
much.  My guess would be a 40' piece for between trailers, some 5' and
some 10' pieces from the switches to the computers.  The tighter twist
is what makes the cable more immune to RFI.  

Neal, K4EA

-----Original Message-----
From: fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Worsham
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006 03:31
To: 'Rogers, Ron'; 'Bob Lear - K4SZ'
Cc: 'Fourlanders Contest Group'
Subject: Re: [Fourlanders] Cat-5 Cable question

OK, the consensus seems to be that in general switches are better than
hubs
so I will go to Microcenter next week and see if I can get two of the
$15
linksys model that is on sale.  Even if this and fixing the Windows XP
firewall problem makes the network more stable I would still like to see
us
minimise the potential for RFI.  Shielded CAT5 is good. I tried to find
some
a while back but was never able to find anything less that 1000' spools
for
between two and three hundred dollars.  If Ron can find some for a
reasonable price then lets go for it.  Even if we use shielded CAT5 we
should also find some clamp on ferrite beads or toroids to put on each
end
of the cable to prevent conduction along the shield.
 
73
Jim, W4KXY

  _____  

From: Rogers, Ron [mailto:RR124640 at ncr.com] 
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 4:02 PM
To: Jim Worsham - W4KXY; Bob Lear - K4SZ
Subject: Cat-5 Cable question



How long of an Ethernet run is it from our one trailer to the other ?? 

I'm keeping my eyes open for a run of shielded (with shielding
connectors
installed) Cat-5 cable and wondered what length we should use.  If I
find
some smaller lengths ( 6 or 8 ft )  to run from the switches to the PCs
I'll
obtain those too.

Been talking with a few other "professional" network maintenance guys
here
at NCR. 

They claim we are asking for trouble trying to run unshielded cable in
our
environment. They told me war stories of unshielded Ethernet cable too
close
to fluorescent light fixtures, motors, and in same conduit with
electrical
wires. Claimed these things caused intermittent problems, network
response
degradation, etc.

They also confirmed the "switch verses hub" architecture and say to
definitely run switches. 


Ron Rogers
Eng. Prog. Mgr.
Elec. Payment & Wireless Sys.
NCR Corp.
770-623-7690 


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