How not to join an external coax cable and other how not to photos

**rolfw** · 03-10-2008

Gaffer tape (Duck tape) is not waterproof, although a lot of people seem to think it is.

Here are a couple of photos of a jointed cable I had to replace today, the builders had joined it with coax connectors and a coupler, tightly wrapped it with a couple of layers of gaffer tape and then left it to lie in the gutter.

Needless to say, it lasted only as long as the first heavy rainfall, then the occupants of the shared house had no TV.

Unfortunately there is also a join in the cable at the back of the house, but I can't get a ladder to it, just hope it isn't lying in the gutter as well.

**satelliteman** · 03-10-2008

Nice Rolf, How good of them to tape the join up

Keeps us busy

**Topper** · 03-10-2008

Obviously they were just

***wod*** · 03-10-2008

its also sky installers some not all, that dont know how to run a cable properly as my mum has the sky cable running in the guttering as they was too lazy to run it around the house, it still works surprisingly, which i'm going to sort out and run it over the roof to front of house which will mean i can take couple of metres off it

**jimbo** · 04-10-2008

Originally Posted by wod

its also sky installers some not all, that dont know how to run a cable properly as my mum has the sky cable running in the guttering as they was too lazy to run it around the house, it still works surprisingly, which i'm going to sort out and run it over the roof to front of house which will mean i can take couple of metres off it

Run it through the loft if you can which is how mine are run. I've seen Sky installation recently through the gutter. Someone needs to tell them.

**rolfw** · 04-10-2008

Running the cable through the loft or around the brickwork of the house is not always an option and running the cable over the roof is certainly a last resort as causes premature cable wear.

There is no problem per se with running the cable around/above the gutter, but the cable must not be allowed to sit in the gutter and there are a couple of ways of preventing this. I either use cable ties and anchor the cable to the gutter mounting brackets in several places, or suspend the cable above the gutter using either cable ties or steel lashing wire. Obviously if there is space for the cable to be clipped on the facia board above the gutter, then this is preferable, but there invariable isn't space.

Very often customers are not prepared to pay for the time involved in completing long cable runs, so not surprising that inadvisable methods and shortcuts are often taken.

pacmyc · 16-10-2008

To join coax cable in outdoor use you should be using something called VULKtape I think (that´s what its called in swedish ayway). When you are tapeing it it will shrink and and create some kind of rubber material wich will get very tight to the connection and therefore stop water from coming close.. Please see
__http://www.kjell.com/content/templates/shop_main_details.aspx?item=40106&path=

***wod*** · 16-10-2008

Originally Posted by rolfw

There is no problem per se with running the cable around/above the gutter, but the cable must not be allowed to sit in the gutter and there are a couple of ways of preventing this. I either use cable ties and anchor the cable to the gutter mounting brackets in several places, or suspend the cable above the gutter using either cable ties or steel lashing wire. Obviously if there is space for the cable to be clipped on the facia board above the gutter, then this is preferable, but there invariable isn't space.

the sky cable is in the actual gutter but has worked for the last few years, I'm going to move it and was hoping to run it over the roof to take a few metres off and from what you have said its a bad idea

**rolfw** · 16-10-2008

Can you not take it through the roof space as Jimbo mentions Wod?

**rolfw** · 19-10-2009

Spotted this little beauty today, a copybook how not to do it installation.

***Tivù*** · 19-10-2009

Whoever did that must have gone for a "T" break ..................

(I'll get my coat

)

That Flat Twin and Earth is none too clever, either. Should be supported, not "free to roam"!

**rolfw** · 19-10-2009

LOL, there's another cable just out of shot as well.

superdirto · 19-10-2009

I don't get it, why shouldn't the coax go in the gutter ?
I had mine in there for over 10yrs until we got new gutters

both the eighties sky install and , rg58,59 tv and rg81 hardline rg11 for the various ham radio feeds to be honest the weight brought the gutter down
apart from trapping more gunk in the gutter I,ve had no issues with
vswr I've got plenty buried as well and its a right bugger to find again.
I think I would know if they got wet I'm running half a kilowatt

***2cvbloke*** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by rolfw

Spotted this little beauty today, a copybook how not to do it installation.

For a moment I thought the minidish was attached to the wonky mast!!!

***Vipersan*** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by rolfw

Spotted this little beauty today, a copybook how not to do it installation.

I more worried about the butt joined brickwork ..
I hope there's a good few wall ties in there at least

As to running cables in gutters ..
Totally not recommended I know ..
but as a last resort and if there's no other route ..I suppose its vaguely acceptable ..provided its a single cable run with no joins.

rgds

**rolfw** · 19-10-2009

Yes as I said earlier, sometimes there is little choice, but putting joints in the gutter is definitely a no no.

**Robbo** · 19-10-2009

Now, that would be a good idea, gutter cable clips, ones you could hook onto the back of the guttering.

***Vipersan*** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by Robbo

Now, that would be a good idea, gutter cable clips, ones you could hook onto the back of the guttering.

Nice idea Robbo ...have you contacted the patent office yet ?

..could be the next 'cats-eyes'

rgds

**rolfw** · 19-10-2009

Good idea Mark and perhaps slate and tile clips, for sliding under, whilst gripping the cable, whether horizontally or vertically.

**Robbo** · 19-10-2009

Yep, them too, seen bits of lashing wire made into a loop and stuffed under the tiles, there has to be an easier way.

**Channel Hopper** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by rolfw

Yes as I said earlier, sometimes there is little choice, but putting joints in the gutter is definitely a no no.

Bloody right (makes then difficult to light

)

***Vipersan*** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Bloody right (makes then difficult to light )

Health and saftey might have something to say about taking a toke when you're up a ladder anyway..

I mean to say ..technically you're already High

**Channel Hopper** · 19-10-2009

OK, my favourite install picture.

**satelliteman** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by Robbo

seen bits of lashing wire made into a loop and stuffed under the tiles, there has to be an easier way.

That method has been used for years but as said a clip design would be nice

**Channel Hopper** · 19-10-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

That method has been used for years but as said a clip design would be nice

Our local distributor in Leatherhead had a few samples about a year ago. I said it wouldn't take off as making loops with spare lashing cable cost nothing

.

I will ask if he has any left over.

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