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Crypt · Guest

Hi all,

I have cheap RG-59 cable running through the house. (I'd say maybe 200ft
total) It is also split 4 ways with a 120db isolation 5-1000mhz splitter.
The TV's and cable modem at the end of the cable have a lot of shadowing and
other noise. The cable modem also occasionally will lose it's connection.

If I were to install a single port electroline 15db amplifier, would it
resolve some of these issues? I have read RG-59 cable is cheap and there
are better cables, but I'd prefer not to re-wire the whole house if
possible...

Thanks for any info!

Crypt · Guest

Also the Electroline amp I'm thinking of getting is model EDA-2100.

Ed Nielsen · Guest

The first question is: When you say "cheap RG 59, do you mean
copper-braid cable, or is it just inexpensive foil+braid RG 59? If it
is either, it needs to be replaced. Copper-braid cable is, at best,
only 95% shielded, which means 5% or more unshielded. But that's the
expensive copper-braid cable. The most common is 65-85% braid, which is
15-35% unshielded (holes). All of those holes get found by broadcast TV
and radio signals. On the VHF locals, you get ghosting, upper teens
through lower 20s, you get crosshatch and other noise in the pictures.
Channels 95-97 have loads of garbage (FM radio), and if there are
broadcast UHF channels, cable channels ~65 and up will have problems.
If the cable has foil, but it is not bonded, there is the potential for
the same problems, but to a lesser degree. An amplifier will not help
the situation.

If the cable has foil that is bonded to the dielectric, it is probably
alright. Make sure that the connectors are real connectors and not the
twist-on or push-on type. Preferably, the connectors are compression,
but hex-crimp are also acceptable.

The EDA-2100 amp is an excellent amp. Your cable modem, however, should
be on its own, dedicated splitter prior to the TV distribution system
(including amplifier).

CIAO!

Ed

Crypt wrote:

Crypt · Guest

Hello,

Thank you for the response. What type of cable would you recommend I use?

Thanks

Crypt · Guest

Also about the cable modem. If I put the EDA-2100 before the cable modem
(I'm thinking maybe where the cable line first comes in to the house) is
there any chance it could help the cable modem maintain connectivity?

Thanks!

Tomi Holger Engdahl · Guest

"Crypt" <Crypt3@aol.com> writes:

Tomi Holger Engdahl · Guest

"Crypt" <Crypt3@aol.com> writes:

James Knott · Guest

Crypt wrote:

Lucas Tam · Guest

Tomi Holger Engdahl <then@solarflare.cs.hut.fi> wrote in
news:lajbr9trzy6.fsf@solarflare.cs.hut.fi:

Lucas Tam · Guest

"Crypt" <Crypt3@aol.com> wrote in
news:YJuXd.52853$Qz1.8535@fe2.texas.rr.com:

Lucas Tam · Guest

James Knott <james.knott@rogers.com> wrote in
news:iL-dnR_BJcczlLLfRVn-tA@rogers.com:

Ed Nielsen · Guest

The most common cause of ghosting is ingress, which is broadcast signals
leaking into the cable system. By far, the most common cause of ingress
is the drop connector -- whether it be a cheap twist-on or push-on,
corroded, or just a little loose. They all provide a pathway for a
broadcast signal to enter the system. Then you have 2 (or more) out of
phase signals going to the tuner, which, of course, shows both(all).

The second leading cause is copper-braid cable. It just doesn't provide
the shielding required. Unlike a loose or corroded fitting where there
are just a few small points of ingress, ingress occurs the full length
of the cable.

Next on the list of causes of ingress are substandard passive devices
(splitters and DCs (taps)). Splitters that just have the backs glued on
don't provide the shielding necessary.

Another cause of multiple images is unterminated outlets, which cause
reflections as well as being another source of ingress.

The return path of a cable system (5-42MHz) is VERY susceptible to
ingress. If the CMTS can't hear the cable modem through all of the
noise resulting from ingress, it will lose sync.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have a clean system
in your house. Cable with BONDED foil + aluminum braid (60% braid
coverage is fine), quality connectors (preferably compression), and
splitters with a minimum 100dB RFI/EMI immunity.

CIAO!

Ed

Tomi Holger Engdahl wrote:

Ed Nielsen · Guest

Cable modems have an operating range (input signal level) of -15 to
+15dBmV As long as your input level is within that range, it will work
just fine. It's unlikely that you'll need to amplify that leg. If
ingress is the cause of your problem, the cable modem may simply not be
heard above all of the other junk that's in there.

Another possibility is the splitter itself. It could have gone south
and have more that the ~8dB loss that 4-way splitters have.

Unless not possible, a cable modem should always be on its own,
dedicated splitter (or DC) and be the first device in the line, after
the groundblock.

CIAO!

Ed

Crypt wrote:

Ed Nielsen · Guest

An excellent article on drops can be linked from
<http://www.cencom94.com/links.html>. Oddly enough, it's the one
entitled "Drops."

CIAO!

Ed

Tomi Holger Engdahl · Guest

Lucas Tam <REMOVEnntp@rogers.com> writes:

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