[TowerTalk] [CQ-Contest] RG-6 connector issues/ rcv array

[Doug Renwick]

Here is a link that talks about center conductor pull-out:

http://www.timesfiber.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/tech.specSheets/index.cfm
?act=download

And here is a note about copper vs copper clad steel center conductors:

In your document on coax cable, you recommend solid copper center
conductor as preferred over copper clad steel. You state that copper is
a better conductor, which is true. However, for transmission of RF
frequencies (for standard CATV, the bandwidth is 5-1000 MHz), only the
outer portion of the conductor carries the signal. This is known as the
"skin effect." Therefore, copper-clad steel provides the same low signal
loss as a solid copper conductor. In addition, you get the strength and
rigidity of steel. As for the quality control aspect you mention,
billions of feet of copper clad steel are manufactured each year under
very exacting quality standards. While low quality copper/steel products
may exist, any quality cable manufacturer will provide a product that
meets the full requirement for video transmission. In short, unless the
cable is required to deliver power in addition to video signals, copper
clad steel is a superior product over solid copper center conductors for
coax cable.
Chris Story, Plant Manager - Coaxial Drop Cable CommScope, Inc.

Doug


Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] RG-6 connector issues/ rcv array

That used to be a big problem for cable tv companies that used hardline
with
copper center conductors.  The coefficient of expansion of the copper
was
more than the aluminum shield and the copper would pull back out of the
connectors when it got too cold.  Later designs of hardlines used copper
clad aluminum center conductors that apparently didn't have that
problem.


David Robbins K1TTT