AboutEmmett Smith Expertise I can answer technical and marketing questions about different types of broadband and general communications technologies. Also marketing and sales process for these types of products.
Experience 12 years in marketing and sales for telecommunications manufacturers
Organizations American Marketing Association
Education/Credentials BS Marketing
Past/Present Clients E/O Networks, Occam, Next Level, Motorola, RealTime Access
Expert: Emmett Smith Date: 3/29/2007 Subject: Cable distance
Question QUESTION: I have a cabin about 1000 feet away from my base house. I was wondering what the
max distance is to run a cable down to that place. (Tv, Internet, ect.) Also, if
it is not possible to run one cable that far, what are other possible ways to do
this, with boosters, or other addons.
for the internet factor, would i need to have another cable modem? and would
that work having two modems in the same house on the same internet.
thank you.
Thank you
ANSWER: Sorry it took me so long to respond. I have been putting in a router at my sister's house. I think she has every computer she ever bought with every version of Windows they ever made. None of them have ever been kept up to date from MicroSoft and she wanted them all hooked up with wireless modems. Geeze.
Well, enough about my problem. You will definitely need a pretty robust two-way amplifier and low loss cable. If it's on your property, then you could do it - if it's on public right of way, then it may be a problem. I'm not that familiar with cable modems. If they have one with a wireless interface, you should only need one. Otherwise, you will need one for each computer. Don't be surprised if you get some noise once in a while on your TV screens.
My area of expertise is in standard telephony. I Only know about this because we had to compete with the coax guys when we sold stuff and because I hooked up a TV and telephone at a boat house/work shop that was about the same distance away. It's interesting to note that you can get really good TV and DSL out to 7,000 feet from the remote terminals now but coax is more limited.
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QUESTION: Now you say a pretty robust two way amplifier... would you be able to tell me what kind, or where i would be able to look for something like that. (online) also, this will be running outside, a straight 1k feet. The coax cable i will buy will obviously be something higher than normal standards. but can you help me choose or to find out what would be the best way to go. (cable used, and amp used)
Answer There are other things to consider like temperature variations and moisture where you live. The resistance in a cable goes up when it gets warm and down when it gets cold. Any moisture getting into a cable decreases it's ability to conduct.
Are you just going to lay the cable on the ground, dig a trench, or go aerial? Trenching is the best way to go because the climate under ground is relatively stable. Used cable is an unknown. You don't know what it's been through. Microscopic cracks in the insulation can decrease a cable's performance. The same goes with a used amplifier. You don't know what voltage surges the amp has been exposed to damaging it's discreet circuitry. It may be performing on the edge of failure.
You will be pushing the envelope with this installation. I would not recommend getting anything other than the best. You can have ten years of trouble or ten years of problems.
