Anyone tried using this unit to find a defect in an underground coax IP network cable? I've got a 300' span with a defect somewhere. Where to dig?
1629761
If the underground coax is severed, you can disconnect both ends of the shield and connect your transmitter to the shield and locate the break that way. If the problem is a break in the center conductor, the only way to locate that is to make sure the shield is disconnected at both ends and try to connect the transmitter to the center conductor, but I don't think that will work because the shield will block any signal from the receiver. I believe your only hope is if the coax is totally broken, but the good news is that if there is a problem with the coax, the problem will most likely be a break in the whole cable, it is unlikely that only the center conductor will be broken. If the underground coax is severed, you can disconnect both ends of the shield and connect your transmitter to the shield and locate the break that way. If the problem is a break in the center conductor, the only way to locate that is to make sure the shield is disconnected at both ends and try to connect the transmitter to the center conductor, but I don't think that will work because the shield will block any signal from the receiver. I believe your only hope is if the coax is totally broken, but the good news is that if there is a problem with the coax, the problem will most likely be a... » Read More If the underground coax is severed, you can disconnect both ends of the shield and connect your transmitter to the shield and locate the break that way. If the problem is a break in the center conductor, the only way to locate that is to make sure the shield is disconnected at both ends and try to connect the transmitter to the center conductor, but I don't think that will work because the shield will block any signal from the receiver. I believe your only hope is if the coax is totally broken, but the good news is that if there is a problem with the coax, the problem will most likely be a break in the whole cable, it is unlikely that only the center conductor will be broken. « Show Less
1804757
If you are using RG59 cable you should keep the distance at or less than 750 feet. Over 750 feet you should switch to an RG6 low loss coaxial cable. IF you plan to bury the cable, ensure that the coax is rated for burial. The real issue is with the power. 700 feet over the small gauge conductor may be an issue, depending on the wire size/quality. Use a voltage drop calculator to determine wire size and input voltage. If using the Qsee brand cable provided with the system, i would say very unlikely to support that distance.
1520951
Thats beyond cat5 range as you know. I suggest running a shielded pvc insulated cable for max throughput, and it may still not work.
2096547
OK, near a window? In the city? Let me suggest this: In the center pin of your coax plug, unbend a paperclip, carefully insert it into that coax in on your tv and connect a long wire or :conductive" material to it (foil). If you rescan with that in and STILL get nothing, unlikely but may happen, it's your location. If it picks up anything, the antenna's a dud. If it works, gauge what you can get from a homebrew antenna and go up from there. This may not be strong enough to hit your local channels. I know of a 50 mile radius antenna at $60; before you throw in the towel, try the paperclip trick. THe HomeWorx is inexpensive; returns are "meh." Good luck! OK, near a window? In the city? Let me suggest this: In the center pin of your coax plug, unbend a paperclip, carefully insert it into that coax in on your tv and connect a long wire or :conductive" material to it (foil). If you rescan with that in and STILL get nothing, unlikely but may happen, it's your location. If it picks up anything, the antenna's a dud. If it works, gauge what you can get from a homebrew antenna and go up from there. This may not be strong enough to hit your local channels. I know of a 50 mile radius antenna at $60; before you throw in the towel, try the... » Read More OK, near a window? In the city? Let me suggest this: In the center pin of your coax plug, unbend a paperclip, carefully insert it into that coax in on your tv and connect a long wire or :conductive" material to it (foil). If you rescan with that in and STILL get nothing, unlikely but may happen, it's your location. If it picks up anything, the antenna's a dud. If it works, gauge what you can get from a homebrew antenna and go up from there. This may not be strong enough to hit your local channels. I know of a 50 mile radius antenna at $60; before you throw in the towel, try the paperclip trick. THe HomeWorx is inexpensive; returns are "meh." Good luck! « Show Less
2084432
Well, I just ordered a coaxil cable two-way splitter (listen to the techie here, lol!) The guy at Best Buy told me to somehow get the antenna hooked into the recorder/player AND the tv. He said we didn't need that channel 3. Wish me luck. I just may have something. I'll let you know! - Linda
966237
If you installation is good - good coax and connectors, I would say there is nothing you can do, other than raise it higher off the ground. I sent mine back.
1036244
I would replace your coax cable with a secure connection. That should solve your reception problems!
1033782
I havent noticed any and I have long and short runs with the same sort of wire... no difference on the same camera's. Usually with any sort of coaxial wire, you are looking at aprox 300' before degradation. Used to work for a cable construction firm, and although that wire is heavier, it carries more load as well. Good luck, hope this helped. =])
1200378
I found that plugging the unit into a power strip on the same outlet as the cable box was a problem. A different electrical outlet solved the issue.
1024067
There is a normal coax cable connection. One setup issue I remember is that you have to set the input during initial setup.
232148
I've had problems with this tool on cable coax wire for tv - I would not use it on speaker wire unless I tried it on many scrap pieces -
876638
Screw in place between the inbound dish or cable lead and your gone splitter or modem. Closer to the inbound cable source better chance it can catch a surge before it hits something
1146785
Well you can get a replacement end at Radio Shack and fix it. It's just two wire connections to the coax port.
1936125
I believe this is unit is basically a continuity tester so if your cable can connect then it should work. As mentioned by others, the problem you will have is if your COAX cable has connectors that will work with this unit.
1107177
I would be cautious of the length of the run and the environment. I had issues getting picture, but it was because I had to run right next to ac voltage. When I ran test leads that were separated it worked very well. I had no choice but to run next to the ac so I had to use a much more expensive single cat6 balun instead. If you don't have issues with electric you should be fine.
490283
Apologies. Your question is more technical than I can answer. I just hooked the thing up and it worked (well). I run nothing more on the coax in my house than the antenna signal. I should add add that the signal strength has degraded somewhat (fewer channels) since I installed the amplifier in January, but the decrease in performance could be attributable to something other than the amp. Will investigate before winter.
1200203
I have used it to find an iron pipe about 18" underground. Sometimes it would lose track of the pipe and then pick it up further down the line. Not sure why this is. If it could only find exactly where the leaks are it would really be amazing! Unfortunately, metal detectors are not designed to locate leaks, they just locate the pipe which is a big help. I have found three leaks in an old irrigation system thus far but the next one is still eluding me. There must be a leak as water is going in and not coming out. It has also picked up miscellaneous things a couple of inches from the surface located while searching for the pipe. I have been very pleased with it especially given the price. I have used it to find an iron pipe about 18" underground. Sometimes it would lose track of the pipe and then pick it up further down the line. Not sure why this is. If it could only find exactly where the leaks are it would really be amazing! Unfortunately, metal detectors are not designed to locate leaks, they just locate the pipe which is a big help. I have found three leaks in an old irrigation system thus far but the next one is still eluding me. There must be a leak as water is going in and not coming out. It has also picked up miscellaneous things a couple of inches from the... » Read More I have used it to find an iron pipe about 18" underground. Sometimes it would lose track of the pipe and then pick it up further down the line. Not sure why this is. If it could only find exactly where the leaks are it would really be amazing! Unfortunately, metal detectors are not designed to locate leaks, they just locate the pipe which is a big help. I have found three leaks in an old irrigation system thus far but the next one is still eluding me. There must be a leak as water is going in and not coming out. It has also picked up miscellaneous things a couple of inches from the surface located while searching for the pipe. I have been very pleased with it especially given the price. « Show Less