Community Forums

zzotte · 05-22-2019, 05:04 PM

Hi, I have a question is there a way to check for satellite signal in a particular cable? I have at least 4 coaxial cables none of them marked and I don’t want connect and disconnect direct tv box or dish box is there a way to check for signal?

Thanks
Zzotte

450Donn · 05-22-2019, 05:32 PM

You need a sat meter to do it. My gueas none of them will pass sat signal.

egwilly · 05-22-2019, 05:35 PM

The active cable will have some voltage, provided its connected to the box.

Check with a multimeter for current. Negative probe to threaded portion, red to the copper center wire. Both Dish and DTV use power inserters in their circuits.

If none of them work, then check continuity on the cables. Switches and splitters can be inside the walls.

zzotte · 05-22-2019, 05:51 PM

let me try that thank you

Zzotte

TJ · 05-22-2019, 06:15 PM

Or, use a coax cable tester that injects a tone that can be received at the other end. They are relatively inexpensive ($25-$30) and can really simplify tracing a cable.

TJ

zzotte · 05-22-2019, 07:47 PM

Thanks Jim

Zzotte

veraken · 05-23-2019, 06:09 AM

Buy a coax continuity tester like this one from Amazon to check your cables.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stuart W · 05-23-2019, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

Or, use a coax cable tester that injects a tone that can be received at the other end. They are relatively inexpensive ($25-$30) and can really simplify tracing a cable.

TJ

Yep, don’t ask me why,but I carry one with me[emoji51]

redbaron73 · 05-23-2019, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Yep, don’t ask me why,but I carry one with me[emoji51]

Me too. All of mine were labeled, just wrong! I had a label claiming to be cable that was actually SAT.

TJ · 05-23-2019, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron73

Me too. All of mine were labeled, just wrong! I had a label claiming to be cable that was actually SAT.

Fortunately, all mine are labeled correctly, but at least I was able to verify that. I don't carry my cable tester with me as I don't change wiring on the road. Maybe I will live to regret that, but if I carried every tool I thought I MIGHT need, the coach would be way overloaded. I confess to being a tool-aholic.

TJ