Purchasing Network Cable

Eric Wrote
I am looking at extending my network to an additional building. I would like to purchase 600 foot of RG 58 A/U cable. I have been told for this type of distance Thin Net RU58 A/U is the best choice. But 600 feet is the limit. I did consider UTP (Unsheilded Twisted Pair)but 328 feet is the max before some tyoe of repeater is needed. Can you advise a place to purchase this cable? I also am wondering if there is any wireless options available to run this distance? If anyone else has a good spot where I can get a good deal let me know.
Thank You
Eric
Larry Wrote
Eric, if you decide to use thinwire Ethernet, you need to buy bulk cable.
It comes in 500 and 1,000 foot spools. I get mine from
<http://www.atlanticcable.com/>. Ask for Jason.
Larry

1. RE: Purchasing Network Cable
lbyard Jun-12-00 02:51 PM
In response to message 0

Eric, first, do not even consider running the network leg above ground. I have done it with RG-58/AU and it was struck by lightning. I am lucky that no one was hurt. Both computers at the ends of the leg were destroyed. If you run RG-58/AU below ground, one end (only) must be properly grounded. If both ends are grounded, a dangerous ground loop situation can develop. A thinwire network can be up to 300 meters long.
If you already have a below ground telephone wire running between points A and B and it is not part of a PBX system, you may want to try a phoneline network (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/dlink/dhn910/dhn910.htm, http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/intel/anysum.htm, http://intel.com/anypoint/index.htm?iid=oldhomehtm+meta) . It may stretch to 600 ft at 10 Mhz., but may run slower depending on the condition of the wire and ambient noise. The wire should not be in the same tube as power cables. Considering the low cost, I would give this a try if the wire were in-place.
Another possibility would be a fiber optic leg. I have not done it, but from what I have read it should be immune to interference and should not be a lightning hazard. Looking at the Black Box catalog… the PC boards are under $300 and the cable would cost around $400, but I really don’t know everything about it and what else is involved/required in/for doing it.
The Intel wireless network is spec’d to go 1 to 11 Mhz, 400 – 1,500 feet. See http://intel.com/network/products/wireless.htm.
Larry

2. RE: Purchasing Network Cable
crohns Jun-14-00 11:24 PM
In response to message 0

Thanks Larry for the Cable Routing options. I will be running this 18" deep in it's own dedicated Conduit. I did have fears about the interference and noise so I will be using a dedicated conduit. As for the phone system I read all I could but it won't support the distance I must go. The wireless solution was out of this world. I was told that for a 600 foot run James Bond couldn't afford it. I tried the <http://www.atlanticcable.com/>. but they were really expensive . The cable comes in 500 or 1000 foot rolls. 150.00 for a 1000 foot roll. Found a company called <http://www.voltexcomputers.com/default.htm> 71.02 for a 1000 FT roll this is my kind of place.
Eric

3. RE: Purchasing Network Cable
diletante Jun-15-00 12:49 PM
In response to message 2

Not all coax cables are created equal. Be careful that you don't get what you pay for. Cheap cable often has poor shielding. Be sure and ask about that (is it 90%, 75%, or what - more is better of course). You might want to ask about loss characteristics too. I don't know if it varies much, but an extra 0.5dB/100' of loss on a run like you're talking about would cost you half of your power.
Rob

4. RE: Purchasing Network Cable
lbyard Jun-15-00 03:22 PM
In response to message 2

Don't let anyone talk you into using any RG-58 cable with a solid core or you will have problems. Be sure it is RG-58/AU stranded core cable and that is it is quality cable. If it isn't AU cable it does not meet the Ethernet spec. The cost of rerunning the cable or fixing problems with it will pale compared to the price differrence between good cable and cheap cable. Also, there are good connectors and bad connectors. I use AIM (http://www.aimelectronics.com/) catalog 27-9200 two-piece connectors and usually buy them from Stark (http://www.starkelectronic.com/index.htm). Please take this advise from someone who has built more than 100 networks and has nipped bad ends off RG-58 many times. Larry

5. RE: Purchasing Network Cable
crohns Jun-15-00 03:59 PM
In response to message 4

LAST EDITED ON Jun-15-00 AT 04:02 PM (GMT)
Thank You Larry for the advice. I do remember that about the A/U designation as well. I have read some stories about network repairs being made only to find out that the solid core cable was installed. I will double check when order the cable. I will also check out the cable quality as well. 90%, 75% or whatever. I will also ask about inteferance properties.
Eric

6. RE: Trenches & Pulling Cable
lbyard Jun-16-00 11:46 AM
In response to message 2

1. Check with utilities before digging.
2. Be sure the contractor is bonded. Checkout references. Get a contract in writing.
3. Dig deep. Get below the frost line.
4. Look up as well as down (tree limbs and power lines)
5. Use the next larger pipe.
6. Bury more than one pipe if feasible.
7. Keep rocks off pipes; surround with sand.
8. Pull more than one wire (spares).
9. Always pull a string (a tough one) with wire.
10. Do not the stretch wire. Besides breaking it that could change it’s electrical characterizes.
11. Do not pull wire off the end of spool. Use a broom handle.
12. Watch the spool. Sometimes wire will be spliced with tape somewhere on the reel.
13. Seal the hole on both sides of a basement wall.
14. Leave plenty of slack.
Larry

7. RE: Trenches & Pulling Cable
crohns Jun-16-00 06:57 PM
In response to message 6

Thank You very much Larry for the advice on the trench for the cable. I will put it below the frost line. I was not sure if the cold would effect it or not. I have a backhoe so this will not be a problem what's another foot. I like the Idea of running the spare wire as well I normally do this as a general practice, you never know when you have to run a new cable. All the network cable throughout my house have a dead phone line running in them as well. But for this purpose this extra cable will be strictly for back-up nothing this will be strictly a dedicated conduit for this network line.
Thanks Again
Eric