CATV & CAT5 distance and drops

[intunk]

I am running CAT5 for DSL and CATV RG6 or Cable TV in conduits up to my cabin in a 2” conduit, do I need amps at base or along the way or should I increase the wire size. My total distance from source is 900 feet.

[Tomi Engdahl]

900 feet of CAT5 should not be any problem for DSL line.

This distance sounds a little be long for RG6 cable TV cable without any amplifiers. My data (from http://www.epanorama.net/documents/video/videocoax.html ) says around 16 dB attenuation @500 MHz and 21 dB @900 MHz for the 100 meters for RG6 cable. On typical cable TV systems you are aiming for maximum less than 30 dB attenuation between amplifiers.

A CATV rule of thumb is that signals in a distribution network have to be kept at a minimum of 70 dB, and to obtain this, a line amplifier (with an output level of 95-98 dBµV) has to be inserted for every loss of 25-28 dB. The 25 dB rule of thumb is based on numerous practical installations as well as long experience.
Information source: http://www.triax.com/Downloads/TechArt. ... 4F0AD4B%7D

So in your case you will need an amplifier along the way and/or lower loss coaxial cable. Practically whatever cable you select at your distances you will need some amplifier on the base end (unless the signal level there is already at 95-98 dBµV level.