Antenna help

[harryk]

I want to replace the tv antenna cable from the hole where the crank is to up to the top of the antenna. So far I have taken down the interior crank assembly and I found a white rg (white is on the antenna) with a connection to a black rg. Has anyone done this ? Is this possible ? ( It all started when I found the boot where the cable goes thru the roof deteriorated, and the cable looks shot too. Presently the TV works fine on the antenna, but I want to replace the boot (and rg) to prevent a possible leak.

[Al and Missy]

You may find that the cable is secured somehow inside the wall. But if you can get to both ends of the cable to the roof and it is loose, just use a double female connector to connect the old cable to the new one and pull it up from the base of the antenna on the roof.

If the cable is secured, you may be able to snake a new one anyway. The joint between black and white is the place to do it. Make sure booster is turned off before you disconnect the cable and don't turn it back on until all connections are made.

Al

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The cable is pretty generic stuff. You *can* get outdoor rated cable, but I've only seen it in large spools. It's not cheap so a 1000' spool is not a viable solution.

Bob

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by harryk

I want to replace the tv antenna cable from the hole where the crank is to up to the top of the antenna. So far I have taken down the interior crank assembly and I found a white rg (white is on the antenna) with a connection to a black rg. Has anyone done this ? Is this possible ? ( It all started when I found the boot where the cable goes thru the roof deteriorated, and the cable looks shot too. Presently the TV works fine on the antenna, but I want to replace the boot (and rg) to prevent a possible leak.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is an "rg"?

[rmkrum]

"RG" is a designator for a size and type of coaxial cable. Commonly "quad shield RG-6" is used for television signals. It has a single wire down the center, a foam insulator wrapping that wire, and several layers of aluminum coated plastic and a wire braid over that. The whole thing is wrapped in a vinyl jacket.

The takeaway is to know exactly what kind of cable it is so you can install the right connectors if you have to.

The stuff is available, with or without connectors, at big box home improvement stores, among other places.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

"RG" is a designator for a size and type of coaxial cable. Commonly "quad shield RG-6" is used for television signals. It has a single wire down the center, a foam insulator wrapping that wire, and several layers of aluminum coated plastic and a wire braid over that. The whole thing is wrapped in a vinyl jacket.

The takeaway is to know exactly what kind of cable it is so you can install the right connectors if you have to.

The stuff is available, with or without connectors, at big box home improvement stores, among other places.

Great! Now I know and thanks for the excellent explanation!

[harryk]

OK...thank you all for your help. I had a fellow Airstreamer over to help me and we found that the PO had caulked the tube that the wire runs thru to the inside of the trailer near the crank mechanism. Once we got the tube somewhat cleaned out from the exterior, we were able to pull the cable down thru the tube ( attaching a heavy strong string first). So, found a connection in the ceiling near the crank hole which we took apart. (Apparently this was replaced once before) Now we pulled a new cable via the string up from the crank hole and thru the tube + enough cable to replace all and make a new connection at the top of the antenna. Then installed a new boot (NO CAULK) and ran the rg wire up the interior of the antenna & made connections inside to the RG & outside to the antenna. This job requires 2 people...one in & one on the roof...me because it was 95 degrees. Laid & knelt on a moving blanket.