What RG6 connectors do I need?

you're looking for 'F' connectors and there is a tool for putting them on. a google search will point you in the right direction. IMO, a cruel, cruel person invented the 'F' connector. I'm guessing it's called an 'F' connector for all of the F-bombs dropped while trying to attach them to the coax.

I am thinking you have "double shielded" RG-6, takes a F connector with a large center and you most likely have F connectors for RG-59 OR may have Quad Shielded RG-6 connectors which has a smaller center.

Does the center look like it will fit the wire or is it too small or too large?

Quad shielded cable because of the extra shielding layers the center is a bit smaller in diameter and the outside jacket of the coax is slightly larger.



When you removed the jacket, how many layers do you see?

I suspect the connector package may be mislabeled or perhaps the wire is mislabeled?

If you actually have quad shield cable, it can be a real pain to install the connectors as the center of the connector must push not just 2 layers of shield but 4 layers.

They do make installation tools that you screw the connector on to and looks like a screw driver, gives you some added leverage.. I typically use any old two way or three way passive splitter for the installation tool gives me a better gripping surface than just the connector..

I find those connectors, no matter the cable type if you are trying to push on crimp on's it's a pain in the operating system.

I finally switched to compression fittings. These work rather well but you need a special tool (or the ability to make one) to get 'em to attached. The cable pushes in easily (if properly prepared) then you "Compress it"

I have a few of the compressors. (Note one problem) the last one I got is the best.. The problem is not all compression fittings are the same length. Some are longer, or shorter, even if they are designed for the same cable. THIS ONE is adjustable. I got mine I think at a Home Depot clearance rack.

Klien adjustable compressor

Sounds like you have quad shield RG-6 coax. Buy quad shield F connectors and it should solve your problem.

The OP claims he has "double insulated". I assume he meant double shielded. The stripper should expose 1/4 inch of center conductor and strip a 1/4 inch of the outer jacket which leaves one foil shield and one braided shield. Fan the braid back so that it folds over the outer jacket. Do a search on YouTube for videos on how to attach F type compression connectors if you are still having problems.

Tom_M wrote:
The OP claims he has "double insulated". I assume he meant double shielded. The stripper should expose 1/4 inch of center conductor and strip a 1/4 inch of the outer jacket which leaves one foil shield and one braided shield. Fan the braid back so that it folds over the outer jacket. Do a search on YouTube for videos on how to attach F type compression connectors if you are still having problems.

I suspect the braid/foil isn’t fanned back correctly. That part is tedious and painful but must be done before attempting the crimp. Once prepped, the cable should slide into the connector with no resistance.

My compressor is adjustable. I also have one of the automatic trimmers that just take a few twists around the finger. I never have a problem with the compressing. It's just a major battle getting the coax shoved in place. I usually, if at home, place the hex into my bench vice and use pliers and my whole body to force the coax in place. As I said, I have a bunch of connectors with black plastic sleeves that I thought were the correct ones. I have most of a 1000' roll of coax and want to order a whole bunch of connectors that fit.

When I watch the pros fit these they don't do anything extra with the braid. I have tried folding it back but it doesn't seem to help much, if at all.

Tom_M wrote:
The OP claims he has "double insulated". I assume he meant double shielded. The stripper should expose 1/4 inch of center conductor and strip a 1/4 inch of the outer jacket which leaves one foil shield and one braided shield. Fan the braid back so that it folds over the outer jacket. Do a search on YouTube for videos on how to attach F type compression connectors if you are still having problems.

He (I) have a single layer of braid over, what looks like, a layer of aluminum foil. I guess that's double shielded. When I use my little stripper tool it looks beautiful. Then the battle begins. Once I get the stinger exposed beyond the threaded part the battle is over. The compressing part is a snap.

mikestock wrote:

Tom_M wrote:
The OP claims he has "double insulated". I assume he meant double shielded. The stripper should expose 1/4 inch of center conductor and strip a 1/4 inch of the outer jacket which leaves one foil shield and one braided shield. Fan the braid back so that it folds over the outer jacket. Do a search on YouTube for videos on how to attach F type compression connectors if you are still having problems.

He (I) have a single layer of braid over, what looks like, a layer of aluminum foil. I guess that's double shielded. When I use my little stripper tool it looks beautiful. Then the battle begins. Once I get the stinger exposed beyond the threaded part the battle is over. The compressing part is a snap.

Make sure the diameter of the center of the connector is the correct size. That center should be just large enough to slide over the wire center insulation, if center is too big it will make it nearly impossible to push under the outside jacket.

If too small you would have to trim down the center insulation and be nearly impossible to fit under the outside jacket.

Something else to try, warm up the coax with a hair drier, not so hot to burn yourself, you only want to get just above room temp.. Some jackets get pretty stiff when cold making connector installation near impossible..

The center of the connector must go under the jacket so it displaces the shielding and stretches outside jacket.

Have done a lot of cold weather connector installations back in the late 80s with big C band dishes.. Connectors don't go on very easy at 32F or below had to warm up the coax to make the job easier..

Something else to consider, All in one coax strippers tend to strip back a bit short as far as how much center conductor comes out of the connector when done.

Move your stripper back a 1/4" on the wire and strip off more than you need. This allows you to have much more center conductor protrude when connector is fully installed. Once satisfied and crimped, you cut some of the extra unneeded length off at an slight angle. This should allow about 1/8" to stick out of the connector when finished and makes insertion of connector much easier.

I have a couple of those strippers around, I don't use them, I just use a pocket knife and eyeball it, works better for me.

mikestock wrote:
When I watch the pros fit these they don't do anything extra with the braid. I have tried folding it back but it doesn't seem to help much, if at all.

Hmm. Maybe I did it wrong, but I did several of these on quad shield last year and folded both braids and both foil layers back so only the white center was showing. They only lightly drag when sliding into the connector. The center of the connector is barely larger than the white center insulator.

If you don’t fold it back I suspect all of the force is just wadding up the foil and braids into a ball.