Forum Discussion

DD716TED's avatar
DD716TED
Explorer
Oct 22, 2020

Portable Satellite Cable Storage..ideas??

For several years now I have been using the Winegard Carryout antenna for Directv... I have attached 2 (50 ft) RG-6 cables along with the power cord to it.. I the past I have just coiled up the wires in about a 3 ft circle when storing them and antenna but am looking for a better / easier / smaller way to do it.. Question.. Will wrapping RG-6 around a extension cord reel (approx 8 inch circle) damage the RG-6? Just looking for a smaller and more neat way to store the wires as hooking and unhooking them from the antenna everytime is a PIA..
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2020
    Do you mean something like this?

    Note that the package is just under 9" diameter in the specifications.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2020
    If you go into most any store that sells coax you will find that they are bundled in about the size you are wanting to use. No problem!
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2020
    “...but am looking for a better / easier / smaller way to do it.”

    If you rolled the cable at or above the diameter in which it was sold, seems to me that would be acceptable.
  • Fisherman's avatar
    Fisherman
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2020
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    If you go into most any store that sells coax you will find that they are bundled in about the size you are wanting to use. No problem!


    Sure that's right but I would believe once the cable is sold to someone for installation it's installed permanently and not rolled up after every weekend. Kinks and bends should be avoided, that's what learned from an electronics acquaintance.
  • AllegroD's avatar
    AllegroD
    Nomad
    Oct 23, 2020
    DD716TED wrote:
    For several years now I have been using the Winegard Carryout antenna for Directv... I have attached 2 (50 ft) RG-6 cables along with the power cord to it.. I the past I have just coiled up the wires in about a 3 ft circle when storing them and antenna but am looking for a better / easier / smaller way to do it.. Question.. Will wrapping RG-6 around a extension cord reel (approx 8 inch circle) damage the RG-6? Just looking for a smaller and more neat way to store the wires as hooking and unhooking them from the antenna everytime is a PIA..

    No. It will not damage the cable. You will be OK, as long as you do not kink (bend) and unkink the cable.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2020
    Without doing research I think the RECOMMENDED minimum circle for Coax is 12 inches.. However I do not think 8" will damage it for that's close to how its coiled in the stores.

    So Google is your friend
    "The minimum bending radius is 5 times the diameter of the cable"

    That's what I get for trusting memory.. 8" will be just fine.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2020
    Fisherman wrote:
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    If you go into most any store that sells coax you will find that they are bundled in about the size you are wanting to use. No problem!


    Sure that's right but I would believe once the cable is sold to someone for installation it's installed permanently and not rolled up after every weekend. Kinks and bends should be avoided, that's what learned from an electronics acquaintance.


    Rolling up the coax is very different than kinking or bending. Rolling up the coax will not cause any issues.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2020
    I roll mine up in a 12-14" circle ending with the last 4-5' routed in and out of the circle to keep the coax from uncoiling. I have 2 small hooks screwed to the wall inside my TT storage area. I slide the top part of the coiled coax over the top hook then stretch it a little to hook on the bottom hook. It's flat against the wall and stays put taking up hardly any space.

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