TV Cable Length

[Jkwilson1989]

We rarely stay at even FHU sites, but we are camping with some family this summer at some more resort-like places than we usually stay. No problem, but I’m curious how much TV cable people carry. I made a 15ft cable last year when we needed one, but I don’t know if that was longer than normal, shorter than normal or what. I’ve thought about an additional 10 footer with a barrel connector, but I don’t really know what’s needed.

[TXiceman]

I carry 50' of coaxial cable and have had to use most of it a few times. Most of the time I can get by with 20 to 25'.

Ken

[MSHappyCampers]

I carry a 50' RG6U cable, mostly for moving our Dish antenna from the top to use on a portable stand.

[TandW]

While using the cable, when you have excess length, gather it up in coils of 3 feet in diameter.

[crb478]

I have 25 feet on a automatic reel built into the coach, honestly I have never used it. We typically stream whatever we watch, and have used the OTA antenna a couple of times.

[vsheetz]

A couple 10' pieces. 25' on a reel. And a 50'. Plus a few barrel connectors and slip on adapters.

Used occationally with CG cable TV and our portable satellite antenna.

[Duster73]

I have been good with 25ft so far. If you need more, most places with cable sell them at the front desk.

[Old-Biscuit]

Every CG we stayed at that had Cable it was right at the power pedestal and the cable connection on our 5vr is mid center rear

I carry a 25' and usually have to coil it up

[TandW]

Tighter coils = more coils = more signal attenuation.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I carry 50' of coaxial cable and have had to use most of it a few times. Most of the time I can get by with 20 to 25'.

Ken

Same with me.

[PKI]

Once we had to use the cable from the next site - ours was dead. That time it took the 50ft and a 20ft I had carried for two years. First time I needed the 50ft.
Once we had to use the cable from the site behind us - ours had no connector.

Have carried a 50 ft coax for the last 5-6 years and do not carry the 20ft any more. Nice when 10 ft works, but best when what you got gives a signal.

[Jkwilson1989]

Originally Posted by TandW

Tighter coils = more coils = more signal attenuation.

As an RF engineer, I can tell you that isn’t true. Coiling coax has no effect on performance until you get down below the minimum bend radius and actually damage the coax by changing the geometry. Decent quality RG-6 has a minimum bend radius of less than an inch and a half, so unless you are nearly tying it in knots you are fine to coil it.


I spent many days out in the desert at Yuma characterizing $1000+ cables with $100,000+ instruments and they tested the same coiled in a box from the factory, stretched out across the desert or running up an antenna mast.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by Jkwilson1989

We rarely stay at even FHU sites, but we are camping with some family this summer at some more resort-like places than we usually stay. No problem, but I’m curious how much TV cable people carry. I made a 15ft cable last year when we needed one, but I don’t know if that was longer than normal, shorter than normal or what. I’ve thought about an additional 10 footer with a barrel connector, but I don’t really know what’s needed.

As others have said, you don’t need much. I think a good rule of thumb would be the same amount as your power cable unless you have a portable satellite that you may need to extend past the trees, then about 50’ max.

[RVFunlovers]

I agree with matching the power cord / hose length. We often just stream but if the campground has cable I hook it up. It is normally on the power post or near it.

15 feet would be short at times. 25 to 50 ft would take car of 99%.