Shortening Coaxial Cable

Iain_P · 20-09-2006, 07:55

Hi,

During a recent install I was out, and came home to find that my gf when asked by the engineer "how long do you want the cable?" had been flumuxed.

I'm refering to the white coaxial cable running from the white box on the wall, to the cable modem.

The white box is exactly where I want the cable modem, but unfortunatly instead of having a short (1/2 meter) cable linking them, I'm left with 3-to-4 meters trailling all about my living room floor. Nice huh.

My question is, what is my best option for shortening it?

I am technically minded so the hands on approach is not a problem, however I'm presuming to manually shorten the cable I would require some form of specialised crimping tool? Is it viable to manually cut the wire to size/shape, remove the end from the current connector and refit it?

Alternatively, is it possible to get a new cable from ntl without an engineer visit? Any idea of price?

Or finally is it best to get a new cable from a third party, if so what specs would I be looking for?

Thanks for your help.

Iain

P.S. Long time lurker in the forum, always found it extremely helpful, so thanks for all the effort you guys put in.

Nemesis · 20-09-2006, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain_P

Hi,

During a recent install I was out, and came home to find that my gf when asked by the engineer "how long do you want the cable?" had been flumuxed.

I'm refering to the white coaxial cable running from the white box on the wall, to the cable modem.

The white box is exactly where I want the cable modem, but unfortunatly instead of having a short (1/2 meter) cable linking them, I'm left with 3-to-4 meters trailling all about my living room floor. Nice huh.

My question is, what is my best option for shortening it?

I am technically minded so the hands on approach is not a problem, however I'm presuming to manually shorten the cable I would require some form of specialised crimping tool? Is it viable to manually cut the wire to size/shape, remove the end from the current connector and refit it?

Alternatively, is it possible to get a new cable from ntl without an engineer visit? Any idea of price?

Or finally is it best to get a new cable from a third party, if so what specs would I be looking for?

Thanks for your help.

Iain

P.S. Long time lurker in the forum, always found it extremely helpful, so thanks for all the effort you guys put in.

Let me have a look at home tonight, I may have just the length (with crimped ends) that you are looking for

Iain_P · 20-09-2006, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon M

Let me have a look at home tonight, I may have just the length (with crimped ends) that you are looking for

You're too generous...great service in here...so where do I leave the tip

Bengie · 20-09-2006, 08:39

Be cautious about shortening it. Are you sure that you will never need to move the modem from its present position?
A better idea would be to coil up the excess lead and stow it under the desk where the modem is (tape it to the underside), that way if at some time in the future you decide to move your room around then the lead is available to allow you to do so.

Gareth · 20-09-2006, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain p

You're too generous...great service in here...so where do I leave the tip

Lemme PM you my bank details... feel free to make a contribution

Iain_P · 20-09-2006, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bengie

Be cautious about shortening it. Are you sure that you will never need to move the modem from its present position?
A better idea would be to coil up the excess lead and stow it under the desk where the modem is (tape it to the underside), that way if at some time in the future you decide to move your room around then the lead is available to allow you to do so.

I see what you're saying, and it's a valid point. However in our case it would be highly unlikely for the modem ever to need moving (small flat, the position is already next to one of the very few electrical sockets, and will be linked directly to a wireless router making the actual position a bit irrelevant).

Thanks for your input though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Lemme PM you my bank details... feel free to make a contribution

hmmmmm... tempting, maybe later?