You decide to move the TV to another place in the room, but the length of the TV antenna cable is not enough. During renovations at the entrance, the builders damaged the television cable. Your best friend, the dog, chewed through the cable and the TV stopped showing. Cable repair is inevitable. Replacing the cable completely from the connection point to the TV is labor-intensive work. It is possible to independently connect sections of television cable at minimal cost.

There are three ways to connect the cable: ☞ TV extension cable, commercially available in lengths from 2 to 20 meters, the most expensive option, but if you have money and availability, this is the simplest solution to the problem; ☞ Using an adapter TV F-socket - F-socket; ☞ Soldering with a soldering iron.

If you need to purchase an additional piece of television cable for extension, you can read the recommendations on choosing a brand of television coaxial cable and how to connect it to a TV in the website article “Connecting a TV cable”.

TV cable extension
using an F-socket - F-socket adapter

To connect two cables using an adapter, you need to purchase 2 pieces of F-plug for wrapping on the cable and a TV F-socket - F-socket adapter. The plugs come in three sizes, designed to fit onto television cables of different diameters. Purchase F-plugs in accordance with the diameter of the connected television cables.

With little effort to cut through the cable shielding, the outer sheath of the cable is cut a few centimeters along.

After the cut, the shell is turned in the opposite direction and removed at the point where the cut begins.

As shown in the photo, the aluminum screen is bent in the opposite direction - foil and braided copper wire. There are three types of screen in television cables. Copper braid only, aluminum foil combined with copper braid and staniol foil only. For the demonstration, I specifically chose a television cable with a combined screen, aluminum foil in combination with copper braiding, for clarity.

To give mechanical strength to the foil, it is coated on the inside with a thin layer of lavsan or polyethylene. It is almost impossible to remove the plastic. If the F-plug is wound onto the inside of the foil, there will be no contact of the screen with it, or it will be very poor.

To avoid bad contact, you need to return half of the wrapped foil back, then the conductive side will be on the outside. If the outer diameter of the television cable is smaller than the threaded hole of the F-plug, then before turning the screen, several turns of insulating tape are wound to ensure a tight fit when screwing the F-plug onto the cable.

Next, using a knife blade oriented almost parallel to the cable, carefully cut off the insulation from the central core. The main thing is to avoid notches in the copper wire of the central core, since notches reduce the mechanical strength of the core and it can easily break off.

When the ends of the coaxial cables to be connected are prepared, the F-plugs are wound onto the foil and wrapped onto the cable.

The central cores of the cables are shortened so that about 5 mm protrudes from the F-plug.

All that remains is to screw the ends of the television cable equipped with F plugs onto the TV F-socket - F-socket adapter.

The result is such a beautiful detachable connection for a television cable.

If the need arises, it will be easy to install a crab in this place to split the television signal to feed several TVs.

Extending a television cable by soldering

The method of connecting a television coaxial cable using the soldering method is the cheapest and most accessible to anyone with a soldering iron and some soldering skills. If you have no experience in soldering, then you can use mine by visiting the site page “How to solder with a soldering iron using examples of soldering parts.” Using the technology given below, you can connect any shielded cables, low-frequency, high-frequency, television, with virtually no loss in the level of the transmitted signal. You can successfully connect cables of different designs, sizes and characteristic impedances.

For example, two cables with different numbers of cores in the center wire, a single-core center conductor of a television cable is connected to a stranded wire. Cables of different diameters are connected. Cables, one of which has a copper braided shield, and the other of aluminum foil.

For clarity, I demonstrated the connections of a television cable using the example of an RG 6U cable with a combined double shield made of copper braid and aluminum foil. If you have a simpler screen design, then simply skip the unnecessary description step.

By lightly pressing the knife, the outer sheath is cut lengthwise from the ends of the connected cables by 5-6 cm.

The outer sheath and shields of the connected cables are turned off.

The length of the central core of the coaxial cable with insulation is shortened to 20 mm and the central core is freed from the insulation so that a step is obtained, as shown in the photo below.

The central core and insulation of the connected television cable at the place of the step are moved away from each other to the sides so that an angle of approximately 45° is formed between them.

After tinning with solder, the central cores are brought together. To make soldering easier, you can pull the wires together by twisting them with thin tinned copper wire taken from the shielding braid.

The central cores of coaxial television cables are soldered together. Soldering must be neat and the solder must completely envelop the wires. If the solder produces icicles with sharp corners, you need to carefully grind them off with sandpaper or a file.

The soldering point of the central core of the cable is covered with insulation. Excess insulation is removed in such a way that there are practically no gaps left. To ensure tightness and impart mechanical strength to the connected coaxial cable, the junction of the insulation is covered with one turn of vinyl chloride insulating tape.

The aluminum screen is returned to the original location of the cable. Attention! On the inside, the aluminum screen of the television cable is covered with a film that does not conduct electric current. It is necessary to tuck the aluminum screen of one of the cable ends in such a way as to ensure contact of the conductive sides. If electrical contact between the screens is not ensured, the signal will not be able to reach the TV.

First, one copper shielding braid of the television cable is returned to its place, and the braid of the second end is screwed onto it. For more reliable contact, several braided conductors of a television cable can be connected by soldering and wrapped around the junction with tinned copper wire with a diameter similar to that of the braided shielding wires. But this is not necessary.

First, one outer shell of the television cable is returned to the connection point, then the shell of the second end of the cable is applied to it.

To complete the work, a couple of layers of PVC insulating tape are wound onto the television cable connection made.

The end result was a sealed, mechanically strong, and practically non-attenuating television signal level, cheap connection of a television coaxial cable by soldering.

Laying a television cable in an apartment

After extending the television cable, sometimes it becomes necessary to secure it. Almost any home handyman can independently lay a coaxial cable from a splitter in the entrance to the TV. But there is one additional requirement. It is unacceptable to bend a television cable at an acute right angle, since the central core can crush the internal insulation and come close to the shielding braid, or even worse, touch it. Then the signal level will be greatly weakened or will not reach the TV at all. The bending radius when laying a television cable must be at least five times the diameter of the cable itself.

If you have skirting boards with cable channels, then simply lay the cable in the channel, not forgetting about the radius when turning. If you need to lay it along a wall or floor, then the cable is nailed with brackets and dowel nails in increments of 30-50 cm so that the cable does not sag.

These brackets are sold for different cable diameters. There are 3, 5, 8 and more millimeters.

You can also lay a television cable in a plastic cable channel; they come in different sizes in width. It consists of two U-shaped slats. One strip is attached to the wall using self-tapping screws or Liquid Nails construction adhesive. The cable is laid in it, the second rail is placed against the first and snaps into place. In such a cable channel, you can additionally install twisted pair cables for the Internet, communication wires, intercom and electrical wiring.

When laying the cable, you can use self-made clamps made of tin or plastic and secure them with self-tapping screws or nail them. To secure the cable during installation, staples bent from nails are also suitable, but you must be careful not to damage the cable when driving the staples.

Nowadays it is fashionable to mount the end of the cable on the TV into a socket. This is beautiful, but each additional connection reduces the reliability of the line and leads to a decrease in the level of the television signal, worsening the signal-to-noise ratio. It is better to connect the end of the cable directly to the TV after installing the plug.

To carefully cut a television cable, you need to cut a few centimeters of the outer sheath. The cut is made along the cable by lightly and smoothly pressing the knife. This accuracy eliminates the possibility of damage to the shielding braid.

After making the cut, you need to bend and cut off the shell (from the very beginning of the cut).

Next, the aluminum foil and copper braid are folded back. There are three options for screens used in cables. The first option is copper braid, the second is aluminum foil, the third is aluminum foil covered with copper braid (the option under consideration).

To ensure higher strength, the inside of the foil is coated with special polyethylene. This fact is not known to everyone. Wherein Cleaning plastic is an impossible task. Therefore, when the plug is wound onto the foil from the inside, the contact is very poor quality or absent altogether. To avoid this effect, you need to turn part of the foil inside out. This will allow the conductive part to be located on the outside. If the size of the internal thread F of the plug exceeds the diameter of the cable itself, it is necessary to wrap electrical tape around the cable before bending the foil. This will give the television cable the required diameter. Subsequent actions must be performed according to the recommendations given. How to properly remove insulation from the central core is described in detail in the article “Preparing wires for installation.”

The central core needs to be cut so that a couple of millimeters of the cable still protrudes.

Then the second part of the F-plug is screwed on, after which the latter is completely ready for use.

Sometimes, when installing a plug into a socket, it becomes necessary to bend the TV cable excessively, since it interferes with placing or hanging the TV close to the wall. An excellent solution to this problem is to use an angled F-plug.

The main feature of this type of design lies solely in the form. The installation processes for a traditional straight plug and an angled plug are completely identical.

Connecting a TV cable to a plastic plug of an old design without soldering

The predecessors of modern F-plugs are slightly different devices installed without soldering. They have their own installation features.

Before installing such a plug, you will need to unscrew the plastic housing. To do this, the cable must be held by the metal part, and rotation must be made counterclockwise. Then the housing is put on the cable, which will allow you not to forget about it.

Next comes the preparation of the cable for installation. It consists of making a cut in the outer shell. The size of the cut is about 1 cm. Then the sheath is removed, the shielding braid is trimmed by approximately half a centimeter, and the same amount of insulation from the central core must be removed. After completing these steps, the cable can be embedded into the plug.

The main stage is terminating the television cable. It is very important to prevent the braided conductors from touching the fasteners of the main core. The petals of the plug around the shielding winding are crimped with pliers. It is important not to overdo it - do not apply too much force, a gentle pressure is enough to ensure good contact.

Tightening the mounting screw. Screwing is carried out until it stops.

The final stage is screwing the plastic part onto the metal plug part, after which the device is ready to be inserted into the television socket.

Soldering a TV cable to an antenna plug from the times of the USSR

Today, plugs from the times of the USSR have lost their relevance and are practically not found, however, a large number of television receivers are adapted specifically to them. There are situations when the plug needs to be re-soldered.

This kind of plug was tinned according to GOST. The requirements of this document assume that tinned contacts can be soldered for at least six months, which is quite short. In most cases, after a year and a half it is very difficult to solder to the conclusions. Attempts end with the material rolling up and the plug itself turning black. To ensure a good result, the part to be soldered must be thoroughly “sanded” until a brass shine is formed. This can be done in two stages: the end of the central contact is cleaned with a flat needle file, and the contact hole itself is processed with the tip of the file (with the maximum possible rotation). At the next stage, the terminals for soldering the cable screen are cleaned, which can be done with sandpaper or the same file. Next, the terminals need tin.

Then you need to prepare the ends of the cable. First, the plastic part of the plug is put on. After this, you will need to cut and remove the outer shell (2-3 cm). How to do this has already been discussed. The shielding braid is unraveled and then divided in two, the conductors are twisted. Insulation is removed from the core, and we must not forget that 2-3 mm should remain.

Threading the cable into the plug should be preceded by shortening its central core by a couple of millimeters, which will make it easier to thread the shielding conductors. The petals are slightly bent on the sides, after which the shielding wires are threaded all the way into the holes of the contact petals, and the central core is accordingly threaded into the central plug contact. At the end, the petals are pressed around the cable.

In places where the shielding wires pass through the holes of the petals, soldering is carried out. The layer of soldered material must be small, otherwise serious problems may arise with putting on the plastic plug sleeve. If the solder layer is very large, it can be removed with a file or sandpaper. There is no need to bite off the excess braid.

To remove a large load on the main core in a situation where the cable is pulled out of the TV not by the plug, but directly by the cable, you need to perform the following action. Before soldering the central core, you must pull the cable firmly, while holding the plug by the metal part. Then the core is soldered from the outside, after which it is bitten off. If “hanging” solder has formed, it must be removed with a knife. If the knife is powerless, a needle file is used.

At the last stage, it is checked how well the fixing element is bent. If it is enough, then a plastic cartridge is placed on the metal part of the antenna plug (until the latch is completely latched).

Connecting a TV cable without a plug to the TV

There are quite common cases when you need to quickly connect an antenna cable to a television receiver, but you don’t have a soldering iron or the necessary plug. But not everyone knows that the cable can be temporarily connected even without a plug. First, about 5 centimeters of the outer shell is removed, the braid is turned away and developed. Next, the insulation is removed from the central core, and the latter is wrapped in a loop. The width of the loop must exceed the diameter of the hole, which is located in the center of the socket.

For the connector shown in the photo, an insulating tube must be placed on the central contact. Then the loop is installed in the central contact, the shielding braid is inserted into the connector with the tip of a screwdriver. It is important to avoid touching the braid and the central core. The aluminum braid can be inserted into the connector, and the remaining space can be filled with small copper wires. To fix them in the connector, it is recommended to use pointed matches or simply toothpicks. This simple method of fastening is distinguished by its high efficiency and durability.

Connecting an antenna cable without a plug to a divider

In this case, the preparation process for the antenna cable is completely identical to the preparation process in the case of using an F-plug. First, the main core is inserted into the F-connector of the crab. The shielding elements are put on the part of the crab connector that protrudes. Fixation is carried out using a special clamp or simple wire. You can also use the option of fixing with insulating tape. This option is less preferable, but its performance has also been proven over the years.

When using clamps equipped with a screw-type crimping device, the connection performance is very high and is not inferior to the F-connector.

Which TV plug is better and more reliable?

Here we can safely say that the F-plug is the optimal one among the 3 connectors discussed above for coaxial cable. This conclusion can be reached by analyzing the above photos. Moreover, for this you do not need to have much experience in this field.

Here you can see that outdated and “Soviet” plugs require a small section of the central core, which is not protected by braiding. This feature does not guarantee uniformity of wave impedance, and this may cause small signal losses.

The F-plug does not have such sections. In addition, the indisputable advantage of this device is its ease of installation. It can be produced without experience, special knowledge and using a small amount of ordinary tools. This process is possible for everyone.

How to crash into a cable or terrestrial TV signal line at the entrance of a house

Most often, the cable is laid along the roof of the building, then, in order to increase the signal level, it is equipped with a special amplifier, after which it is routed through the entrances. Since there are several packages of TV channels, at the input the cable is specially branched through a crab filter equipped with two outputs (an unchanged signal comes out from one, and a high-frequency cut signal comes out from the other). This principle makes it possible to prevent subscribers who have not paid for a specific package from viewing certain TV channels. This is evidenced by two identical cables running along the entrance.

In addition, residents can see a special metal box in the entrance. Wires go out from it to each apartment. Today, new multi-apartment buildings do not use this type of structure. The wires are located in cabinets located in the walls. This is where the subscriber splitters are located. When you open the cabinet doors, you can see a similar picture. On the left in the photo is a splitter for residents who are owners of an extended TV program package, on the right - for residents who are owners of a simple (reduced) package.

According to the requirements, splitters must be securely fixed and grounded, but television company workers often neglect this rule. At the same time, such an attitude, oddly enough, may be more preferable. Because poor grounding often causes interference.

The design of splitters in junction boxes is identical to traditional crabs, which are used when connecting two or three TVs in one apartment, but their operating principle has a number of features. One F connector is designed to connect the cable that comes from the IN trunk. The other OUT carries the signal to the subsequent coupler, which is mounted on the ground floor. Other F TAP connectors, the number of which varies between 1-5, are needed to connect subscriber cables that go to each apartment.

The basic rule is the absence of unconnected connectors. When a subscriber disconnects (for example, in the absence of payment for services), it is allowed to use the F connector with a load of 75 Ohms as a plug. If it is necessary to connect a new subscriber, the two-socket coupler, as in the example under consideration, must be replaced with a three-socket one.

Therefore, to connect a TV, a piece of cable of the required length, at the ends of which there are F connectors, is enough. The F connector of the cable is connected to the subscriber splitter, the second connector is connected directly to the TV.

Crab and TV signal coupler - differences

The received signal power in the crab is often divided equally among the connected television receivers. The situation with the coupler is a little different. In this device, only a small part of the incoming power is allocated (about 6 dB). To guarantee the required signal level that is delivered to the user, the input signal is transmitted using an amplifier. The power of the latter is determined by the number of subscribers. As a result, the splitters used in the entrance are an ordinary crab, which has many branches.

Installing a TV signal amplifier

If the signal quality is unsatisfactory, it is necessary to use a special amplifier, which is mounted in front of the crab. Its structure is similar to a regular crab, the difference lies in the presence of special active modules (microcircuit or transistors) that are capable of qualitatively improving the signal. When working with a TV amplifier, mains voltage must be supplied. This nuance must be taken into account when determining the installation location of the device. It is recommended to mount the amplifier as close to the source as possible, since this device, in addition to the signal itself, also amplifies third-party noise.

The photo shows the TERRA HA123 amplifier, which is used in home telecommunications networks. It has one output and allows gain control within the range of 8 - 28 dB. The best option is to locate the amplifier directly in the coupler box.

If the distance between the receiver and the amplifier is short, it is recommended to mount a device with multiple outputs rather than a crab amplifier. For example, the Spanish amplifier-coupler Televes 5523 with 5 outputs and a gain of 16 dB can serve 5 television receivers at once, and when installing pass-through TV sockets, much more.

For the case when the signal comes from an individual antenna, there are a number of amplifiers used specifically for mounting directly on the antenna. Here they replace the matching loop. Such devices for amplifying a television signal guarantee high quality reception at a distance to the antenna of no more than 100 kilometers. In the photo, this kind of device SWA-555/LUX can have a different adjustment range of 10 - 15 dB (meter range), 34 - 43 dB (decimeter range). To understand the nuances of connecting the power supply to the cable in order to supply voltage to the amplifier, you can read the article “How to connect an antenna television amplifier to a power supply ».

The gain directly depends on the quality of the source signal and is determined individually. The voltage for these devices is supplied via a coaxial cable.

Ferrite ring installation to the antenna cable to eliminate interference

It is not uncommon that when two or more television receivers are connected to cable TV (via cable), interference occurs on certain channels. These disturbances can be represented by black and white elements, from small dots to large waves. The reason for such phenomena is a high-frequency interference signal from a local oscillator, parallel-connected receivers, etc. Alternatively, the cause of interference may be neighboring receivers. Interference can dramatically reduce picture quality. It is recommended to solve this problem by installing a ferrite ring.

The result of using such a ring depends directly on its cross-sectional area. The put-on ring forms a choke, and together with the linear capacitance creates a U-shaped high-frequency filter. The most effective elimination of interference is guaranteed by installing a pair of rings at the ends of the cable.

Ferrite filters can be easily purchased at special retail outlets. Here they are offered in two versions: one-piece construction and two-half construction. In the second case, the halves are pressed into a housing equipped with a latch and made of plastic. Unreasonable purchase costs are easy to avoid. The thickening of cylindrical cables that go from the computer system unit to various peripheral equipment are the most common ferrite filters.

If you look carefully, you are sure to find abandoned and forgotten interface cables in every home. To use them, you just need to cut the plastic with a knife and remove the ferrite ring. After this, it can be placed on the antenna cable. This will allow you to completely forget about all kinds of interference.

You need to buy cables, splitters, amplifiers and other accessories described above in specialty stores. Here, professional consultants will provide the required information and help you choose exactly what you need. However, in order to communicate on equal terms with specialists, you need to understand at least a little in this area, and you can easily obtain the necessary knowledge from the information above.

Very often, a second TV appears in one family. In this case, there is only one antenna. The question arises: how to connect two TVs to one antenna? There are ways to use one antenna on two or more TVs.

What you need

To connect, you will need several parts:

• two-output splitter (splitter). This is a device that allows you to divide the signal from the antenna into two or more streams. It has an input on one side and two or more outputs on the other - for connecting television receivers.

• 5 connectors corresponding to the splitter;
• 2 adapter plugs;

• antenna cable.

Important: When purchasing a splitter, do not confuse the number of outputs! A three-way (three-output) splitter is used to connect three receivers, but not two! If you still have a three-output one at hand, you can solve the problem by connecting a ballast resistor (resistance 75 Ohms) to the free output. And if there is a plan in the future to install and connect several TVs to this antenna, then it is better to immediately buy a splitter with several outputs and temporarily drown out the empty outputs with the same resistance.

Work progress

We will try to talk about the connection in such a way that even someone who does not understand radio engineering at all can cope with the task. This is done step by step like this:

• Selecting details. The first thing you need to do is buy a splitter. They come in a variety of varieties, including those that require soldering and those that do not. If you know how to solder, then it is better to take those that involve soldering. This connection is always more reliable than any other, it produces less signal loss and preserves its quality.

If you do not have soldering skills, then you need to choose an appropriate splitter, as well as one suitable for a specific type of cable. A win-win option would be a splitter with built-in sockets for coaxial cables.

Having chosen a splitter, select the appropriate connectors. F-connectors are now very popular due to the fact that they are reliable and easy to install.

• Choosing a location for the splitter. It is optimal to position the device so that the antenna cable can easily reach it and, if possible, have the shortest distance to both TVs.
• Cutting the existing antenna cable. It is necessary to cut so that the cable can freely reach the splitter. The old plug is cut off along with a piece of cable.
• Cable stripping and installationF– connector.

For those who know how to solder, there is no point in telling them how to cut a cable and solder it to a splitter - they know it themselves. What follows is written for the average user who is not familiar with the radio business.

So, we cut the cut end of the wire as shown in the figure: we strip the edge and wrap the braid. The middle core insulator should protrude slightly, and the middle core itself should protrude by at least 5 mm. The tool for removing insulation from a coaxial cable at home is an ordinary kitchen knife.

Important: The cable must be standard; DG 113 or SAT 703B are more often used. Under no circumstances should the cable braid be connected to the central core, otherwise the signal will not pass through at all.

Install the F-connector. It is also called wrap-on because the connector is wound onto a soft wire. The connector for connecting the cable and splitter is ready.

• Cut two pieces of wire with the expectation that the length would be enough for each TV.
• We mountF- connectors similarly for connecting TV cables and splitter outputs. We do the same at the other ends of the cables.

As a result, we use all five connectors, including:

1. one from the antenna, to enter the splitter;
2. two televisions, for exiting from it;
3. two televisions free.

• We connect the connectors to the splitter.

• We connect two free connectors with adapters. An adapter is a device with an F-connector attached at one end and a coaxial plug at the other for connecting to television receivers. Typically this device is generally referred to as a plug.
• We turn on the television receivers. Let's check how both receivers work. If everything is done correctly, the image should be normal. Now you can easily enjoy an excellent picture on two receivers at once, without interfering with each other.

Using the diagram below you can see the path along which you need to connect 2 TVs to one antenna:

How to install an antenna with an amplifier

But what if after connecting the splitter the image quality deteriorates? This may mean that the antenna on two TVs does not provide the required signal, while the separating device also takes over some of its share. The solution can be an antenna with an amplifier, it is also called a Polish one. Such an antenna for two TV receivers connected to the device will improve the signal quality in both TVs. To do this you need:

1. In an existing circuit with a splitter put awayF- connector from the entrance to it.
2. In his place connect the plug to the power supply from the antenna kit with amplifier.
3. At the entrance install an adapter with an antenna socket(the so-called “mother”) and insert the plug from the antenna with an amplifier there.

This should improve the signal quality.

Splitter with amplifier

There is a second option - look for a splitter with a built-in signal amplifier. This method is good when the TV initially showed well and a new antenna is not required. However, before purchasing a new device, discuss your specific case with a specialist.

Amplifiers, including those on the antenna, have different gains, and too much signal is just as bad as a weak one, and can also cause distortion. The telemaster will measure the signal level and give advice on purchasing an amplifier.

By the way, the problem with signal attenuation can even arise if you connect several TVs to one antenna. The more receivers, the more the signal attenuates. Therefore, when planning to connect several television receivers, weigh all the pros and cons.

Below are video instructions for connecting an antenna to two television receivers:

In contact with

When moving an antenna or TV, or if it is damaged, it is necessary to extend the TV cable. This article talks about what connection methods are available and how to do it yourself.

Cable device

In the center of the TV cable there is a copper wire with a diameter of 0.3-1 mm. Surrounding it is polyurethane insulation, separating the central core from a shield of aluminum foil and copper braid. Braided cables without foil do not meet modern signal transmission standards.

The entire structure is protected from external influences and ultraviolet radiation by a polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene shell.

The outer diameter must be at least 6-8 mm, and when laying next to electrical wiring - 10 mm. It cannot be bent at a right angle; the recommended radius is more than 5 cm.

How to choose a TV cable

When purchasing a TV cable, the choice of brand is made based on several parameters.

Characteristic impedance

All TV cables have a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms. This depends on the ratio of the diameters of the braid and the central core and is determined at the factory when designing the cable.

Cable thickness

In addition to wave resistance, ordinary resistance matters. The thicker the cable, the larger the cross-section of the central core, and the greater the distance the signal is transmitted. For apartments and multi-storey buildings, at a distance of up to 30 meters, 6 mm is sufficient. When using thick outer insulation, the cable diameter increases.

Braid material

The central core is always copper or copper-plated steel. The RF signal travels across the surface, so its material does not matter.

The central conductor is surrounded by a dielectric, the material of which is also unimportant. Next in all cables is aluminum foil surrounded by braid. The denser it is, the better the quality of the cable. The braid material can be different:

• copper – has good parameters, but is expensive;
• aluminum is cheap, but fragile;
• stainless steel – optimal price/quality ratio.

External insulation

When installing the antenna indoors, the material of the outer shell does not matter. When using it outdoors, the external insulation must be designed for outdoor installation, otherwise it will crack under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and other factors, and the cable will fail.

Important! A cable that is pulled through the air must have a supporting steel core.

How to extend a TV cable

Extending the cable, as well as connecting television cables to each other, increases signal resistance, so they must be kept to a minimum. The number of connections should be no more than 1-2. If necessary, this can be done in different ways.

Via adapter or plug and socket

The easiest and fastest way to connect a television cable– F-plug and F-socket:

• Remove the outer layer of insulation on one of the wires at a distance of 25-30 mm;
• Wrap the braid in the opposite direction. The inner side of the aluminum foil is coated with lavsan or polyethylene for strength, so part of the screen is folded back to ensure contact;
• Strip the end of the central core to a length of 10 mm. This must be done without damaging it, otherwise the wire becomes brittle;
• The F-plug is screwed onto the TV cable through the foil. The central wire should protrude by 0.5 cm. The excess is cut off with wire cutters or side cutters;
• Operations 1-4 are repeated for the second end of the cable;
• The prepared F-plugs are screwed into the F-socket.

The connection using a TV plug and TV socket is carried out in the same way. The difference is that it has less mechanical strength, so the finished connection is wrapped with electrical tape, or a piece of heat-shrinkable tubing is put on it and heated with a hairdryer or lighter.

Interesting. Connectors are available in straight and 90 degree angles. Curved ones are used when there is no room for a smooth cable bend. The installation method does not change from using the corner connector.

Solder connection

Another way to reliably and efficiently connect wires is soldering. It's cheaper, but more difficult and longer than using a connector:

• Using a knife, cut the outer shell to a length of 50-60 mm;

Carefully! The shielding braid must remain intact.

• Like the skin of a banana, the outer insulation and screen fold back;
• The central core is cut to a length of 20mm;
• The insulation is cut to a length of 10mm on one side. As shown in the photo, it is necessary to leave a “step”;
• The central core is bent at an angle of 45 degrees. The ends are tinned;
• Operations 1-5 are repeated for the other cable;
• The central cores of the connected wires are soldered “overlapping”. Irregularities and drips of tin are removed with a file or soldering iron;
• The soldering area is covered on both sides with the remaining uncut insulation of the central core, and is wrapped with electrical tape for strength;
• The aluminum foil of the screen is returned to its place;
• The shielding braid is put in place one by one. For better contact, the screens can be soldered;
• The previously bent outer insulation is applied to the connection on both sides;
• The finished structure is wrapped with electrical tape, or a previously placed piece of heat-shrink tubing is placed over it and heated with a hairdryer.

Attention! On the inside, the shielding foil is covered with a layer of insulation, so the layer laid on the outside turns inside out.

Twist

This is the most low-quality connection method. At the point of twisting, contact is lost, it oxidizes, is mechanically fragile and has an unaesthetic appearance. You can connect the cable by twisting it in two ways:

• Similar to a soldered joint. Instead of soldering, twist the central cores together;
• Strip the outer insulation by 40-50mm, and the inner insulation by 20-25. Twist the central wires and screens in pairs, insulating the twists with electrical tape.

Connecting multiple cables via a splitter

When connecting one antenna to several TVs, the connection is made through a special device - a splitter, or “crab”.

This is a small box with one input marked “IN” and several outputs marked “OUT”. TV cables are connected via F-connectors or TV-plugs.

Inside the splitter there is a ferrite ring with windings, and in cheaper models - resistors. These elements distribute the input signal evenly across the outputs, so it is not recommended to install a “crab” with spare outputs.

If the number of outputs is more than four, an active splitter is installed - a device in which the amplifier is located.

Cable laying rules

In order for the wiring to serve for a long time, it should be laid according to certain rules:

• At the maximum distance from electrical wiring. Intersections with electrical cables should be made at right angles;

Important! To reduce interference, these wires are not laid side by side, in the same cable channel or pipe.

• Minimum number of connections. Only factory connectors or soldering should be used;
• Do not coil the TV cable. This creates an inductor that attenuates the signal;
• Do not bend the wire at a right angle. If necessary, use corner connectors.

Correctly performed connection of television cables will ensure good signal transmission and high-quality image, and knowing how to connect a television cable will allow you to do this work yourself, without the help of a specialist.

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There are several reasons for extending or expanding a television cable. The most common reason is moving the TV from one room to another. Probably, during the initial installation of the television cable, the possibility of rearranging the interior of the room was not taken into account, and as a result there was a lack of cable length. In addition, pets love to chew the cable in places where it is laid openly. Changing the cable along its entire length is a costly job; you can get out of this situation by extending the cable, having the necessary tools and material in order for television to work in the house.

How can you extend the TV cable?

How to connect a television cable with another piece of coaxial wire due to a lack of standard length during the process of remodeling a room? This can be done in 4 ways:

• a standard coaxial cable extension, which is sold in different lengths, from 2.5 meters to two dozen, is not a cheap option when saving money is required during the repair process;
• buy special F sockets and use them to make a connection;
• use a “splitter” to connect sections of TV wire;
• use soldering television wire.

If you do not have an additional piece of wire for your TV, experts recommend making the right choice of coaxial cable in the store.

Important! When choosing a television cable, you must remember that in Russia RK 75 (characteristic impedance 75 ohm) is considered standard; imported RG6 and RG59 cables are often used. Pay attention to the quality of the external insulation; it must be elastic and withstand repeated bending.

Based on the production of the inner braid, whether it is rare or dense, one can judge the quality of the product. If it is rare, then you are being offered a product of low quality, only the dense braiding does not allow multiple interference from the television signal to pass through. Ask the seller for a passport for the product being offered. It is necessary to pay attention to the signal attenuation parameters: length and frequency. The lower these values, the better the quality of the cable.

Tools and materials

The connection of a television cable with another section of a similar cable or its complete replacement occurs as a consequence of the causes of impact on it (impact damage, friction) during the renovation of an apartment, when furniture is rearranged, or the original installation of the TV cable becomes obsolete.

To extend the television cable you must have:

• coaxial cable;
• F socket, adapter, “splitter”;
• cable cutting tool, knife;
• crimping tool, pliers.

Extending the TV cable using F connectors

Considering the question of how to connect the antenna cable to each other using “F» connectors, it is necessary to carry out preparatory steps:

1. Purchase in the store for one connection: two F connectors and one F connector, adapter;
2. It is necessary to cut the wire of one and the second section.

Important! In the store, the F connector and adapter are sold in different sizes; to make the right choice, you need to take a piece of TV cable, this makes it easier to select the connector according to the diameter of the cable.

We cut the cable, for this:

• using slight pressure, cut through the main sheath of the television wire a few centimeters in length;
• we wrap the cut shell in the opposite direction and remove it at the starting point of the cut;
• the cable screen is bent towards the uncut part of the cable (aluminum foil or braided braid, sometimes a screen made of staniol braid);

Note! The cable screen, foil, is given strength by applying a thin layer of polyethylene to its reverse side, which can cause poor contact in the connector. It is impossible to remove a thin layer of contact-isolating material; you just need to return half of the folded-out screen to its original position. Then, when the connector is screwed in, contact will occur along the outer part of the screen.

Important! If by some chance your cable diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the connector, you need to put several layers of insulating tape on the cable before returning the turned-off screen to achieve a tight connection.

• The next step after processing the cable screen is to strip the main core; you must carefully remove the insulation, avoiding damage to the central core and the formation of notches on it from the cutting tool, which can lead to a decrease in its strength and rapid breakage where the notch is made.

After preparing two sections of television wire (cable cutting), F adapters are wound onto it. The plug must fit tightly on the cable, the central core is shortened so that no more than 5 millimeters of the main core protrudes from the plane F of the connector, in other words, the adapter must have a protruding central core.

Extending the cable using a splitter

When studying the question of how to extend a television cable using a “splitter,” let’s consider what kind of device it is. A splitter is a small box that has a cable input and several outputs. The purpose of this device is to branch a single television antenna into several television receivers (TVs), or to connect receivers to a single television cable.

The requirement that applies to this type of cable extension is that the device is rigidly mounted on a plane (vertically or horizontally).

We prepare the TV cable by cutting both ends to be connected for the f plug, the same method as cutting for the adapter.

The wire that comes from the TV antenna must be connected to the input of the device, and the second piece of cable that comes from the television receiver must be connected to the output of the splitter.

Extension of a television cable using a “splitter” implies the further possibility of branching a television signal throughout the apartment.

How to extend a TV wire by soldering

Connecting an antenna cable if it breaks by soldering is the least expensive of all methods of extending antenna wires; you only need to have basic operating skills, a soldering iron and solder. Using soldering, you can lengthen the cable without losing the signal; in addition, you can connect cables of different diameters and with different characteristic impedances.

Perhaps you only have the required piece of television wire at hand, but its main core is stranded, and your cable has a monolithic central core. Soldering can solve this issue; you can also solder a screen from a braid of copper wires and aluminum foil. Procedure:

1. We separate the outer sheath of the television wires on both sides by six centimeters;
2. We release the internal insulation of the main core from the screen by turning it in the opposite direction from the connection. We shorten it to two centimeters;

1. The main core with the insulation of the extended television wire is located in relation to each other at 45 degrees;
2. We tinning the main cores, then connecting them using thin tinned wire, soldering the connection completely;

Note! Soldering should be neat, without bumps or sharp solder growths.

1. The area of ​​the connected central wire is insulated with the existing insulation; the excess can be removed. It is recommended to cover the connection point with a roll of electrical tape for strength;
2. We return the screens of the spliced ​​cables to their initial position;

Important! If one of the shields is foil, consider its non-contact interior when connecting to the other shield. In this case, it must be correctly deployed so that there is full contact of one screen with the other. For reliability, the screens can be soldered through a copper wire wrapped around the diameter of the cable.

1. We restore the external insulation of television wires.

TV antenna

When the television signal disappears, many owners of “blue screens” blame the TV antenna as the culprit. There are two solutions to fix problems:

• contact professional antenna tuners;
• repair the cable connection of the television wire.

Visual antenna malfunctions can be seen on the TV screen when:

• interference occurs
• TV picture disappears
• the image breaks up into colored squares (satellite dish).

How to lay the cable correctly

For a television cable, after it is extended, the question of its fastening always arises. Extending a TV cable, according to many TV owners, is not difficult, but you must comply with the requirement, which experts consider an additional requirement during the installation process - the bending angle of the cable should not be sharp or straight.

This is not allowed due to the design of the cable, since the main core can push through the internal insulation and get dangerously close to the shielding braid or, in the worst case, touch it.

In the first case, there will be a noticeable weakening of the television signal, and if the main core touches the screen, it may disappear altogether. You should always adhere to the rule that says that the bend of the cable should not be less than 5 of its diameters.

In modern apartment design, skirting boards with cable channels are used, into which the television cable is laid. Television cords are also laid in plastic boxes; they have different overall dimensions; the cable is laid in a P-shaped profile and snapped on with a lid. In such boxes it is allowed to lay Internet and communication cables together with television wires. Power wires of electrical wiring are laid separately.

Experts use the methods described to recommend how to repair a TV cable and talk about the need for proper installation. When laying it in the baseboard channel, it is advisable to use a construction stapler to create a fastening for the inner wall of the baseboard.

Important! When renovating an apartment, always leave a supply of television wires, based on half the perimeter of the room, in case you rearrange furniture or TV.

Note! Modern television receivers use, in addition to the antenna cable, additional adapters that connect to the TV wire.

The quality of the image is also affected by the shelf life (operability of the TV cable), the reason for this is the qualitative change in television broadcasting stations and improvement in technology. For this reason, when looking for a malfunction or a bad TV picture on the screen, you need to start from the parameters of the installed TV wire.

Additional Information. In order to simplify the work of extending the television wire, experts recommend choosing threaded F connectors, without soldering. There are plugs with a soldered screen, then before soldering the screen, you need to tin it and quickly solder it to the plug without melting the internal insulation.

If you connect a TV extension cable to an antenna with an amplifier, you should use only the plug that is included with the antenna. It has a decoupling device and a power supply with connection.

• during the renovation process, install a television cable in each room of the apartment;
• try to install television wires with hidden installation in a protected version: corrugated sleeve or plastic box;
• it is recommended to use a cable with a lower attenuation coefficient, but not less than 22 decibels;
• the distance between the power electrical wiring on one side and the antenna cable with Internet wires on the other side must be at least 150 millimeters.

When choosing a method for extending a television cable, you must understand that this violates its integrity and always reduces the quality of the resulting image on the television receiver - it is advisable to change the cable completely, from the splitter to the TV signal receiver. Connection using F connectors is considered the simplest and most accessible for cable extension; in addition, the reliability of the connection is maintained.

When choosing soldering to extend wires, you need to remember about the temperature heating of the surfaces, carry out all operations without melting the insulation, check the reliability and quality of soldering, do not make low-quality twists, it is better to have a soldered bandage on the central cores.

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