Coax cable

RG-59 is fine, and assuming your outdoor antenna moves (raise/lower, rotate), its flexibility can be an advantage over RG-6. The difference at 900 MHz (high end of UHF TV) is 4.3 dB per 100 feet. So the difference for the short distance from the antenna to the jack in a typical RV is mice nuts. Same for the couple of feet from the wall plate to the TV.

Sure, you might see a difference with 50+ foot runs in a home, but for an average size RV, the smaller size and greater flexibility of RG-59 may give it an advantage, with little disadvantage.

For outdoor use, if you want to be sure it will last, try to find something made with name brand cable - Belden, Alpha, or Times Microwave.

mike-s wrote:
RG-59 is fine, and assuming your outdoor antenna moves (raise/lower, rotate), its flexibility can be an advantage over RG-6. The difference at 900 MHz (high end of UHF TV) is 4.3 dB per 100 feet. So the difference for the short distance from the antenna to the jack in a typical RV is mice nuts. Same for the couple of feet from the wall plate to the TV.

Sure, you might see a difference with 50+ foot runs in a home, but for an average size RV, the smaller size and greater flexibility of RG-59 may give it an advantage, with little disadvantage.

For outdoor use, if you want to be sure it will last, try to find something made with name brand cable - Belden, Alpha, or Times Microwave.

Why bother with with RG59 when the cost difference between RG59 and RG6 is so small. Personally I tossed all of my RG59 cable years ago. I would hate to see the picture quality on my TV with our Dish TailGator pulling a HD channel! Keep in mind that cable also needs to provide power and signal to auto aiming dishes.
I also have never had an issue with compression coax cable and RG6 cable.

Yup. I bought the tool to install compression fitting and have been very happy after much frustration with push on / twist on connectors.

I suppose there are different grades of RG6 cable but I can't imagine ANY RG6 failing after a use or two unless you're driving over it.

rhagfo wrote:
Why bother with with RG59 when the cost difference between RG59 and RG6 is so small.

For the exact same reason already given and which you ignored. It's thinner and more flexible, which makes it easier to deal with in some circumstances. That includes the lead-in from a common batwing antenna.

Coax has a steel center conductor. Bend it enough and it will break. My cable installer buddy set me up with the tools and enough connectors to last two lifetimes.

every sat tech i have encountered advised not to use push on connectors.

mike-s wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Why bother with with RG59 when the cost difference between RG59 and RG6 is so small.

For the exact same reason already given and which you ignored. It's thinner and more flexible, which makes it easier to deal with in some circumstances. That includes the lead-in from a common batwing antenna.

There is a difference between the needs of a batwing and a Sat Dish. That and as stated it isn't that dificult to route. I just ran. Length from my rear bumper into the vanity cabinet in the bedroom, not that hard to pull. The end at the rear bumper terminates in a 3X5 outdoor box with and I use cover for our Cell repeater.

westend wrote:
Coax has a steel center conductor. Bend it enough and it will break. My cable installer buddy set me up with the tools and enough connectors to last two lifetimes.

The center conductor is copper, the sheild braid is likely aluminum and the foil is likely a mylar type material.
It will take a lot of drect bending to break the center conductor, the braid will likely never break.

A lot of the coax used for CATV has a copper plated steel center conductor. At the frequencies involved, the skin effect causes most of the signal to flow through the copper.

Belden 1694A = copper, about $0.72/ft
Belden 1189A = copper coated steel, about $0.19/ft

mike-s wrote:
A lot of the coax used for CATV has a copper plated steel center conductor. At the frequencies involved, the skin effect causes most of the signal to flow through the copper.

Belden 1694A = copper, about $0.72/ft
Belden 1189A = copper coated steel, about $0.19/ft

Wonder why copper coated would be cheaper? Both RG-6?