I’m always building cables to connect equipment and often use CAT because it’s common. What I really want is a very flexible easy handling 8 conductor or more with at least 1 shielded pair. Any recommendations? Smaller is better.
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Flexible multi conductor cable
- Thread starter otobmark
- Start date
I too shy away from CAT cable for things like interconnect cabling. Prefer stranded every time.
This is what I bought last time and it works well.
www.discount-low-voltage.com
However I see now they only sell 1000 ft spools. I think I got 250 back then. They do have a big selection though and maybe you can use the manufacturers numbers to Google a more reasonable length.
This is what I bought last time and it works well.
Southwire 300V 22/8 Shielded Cable Riser-Rated 1000-ft.
Connect sound wires on shelves or between floors with bulk eight-conductor cables that allow up to four stereo links for intercoms, alarms and similar systems. Discount Low Voltage has bulk pull boxes of 22 AWG shielded riser audio cables that are made in the U.S. with color-coded strands.
www.discount-low-voltage.com
However I see now they only sell 1000 ft spools. I think I got 250 back then. They do have a big selection though and maybe you can use the manufacturers numbers to Google a more reasonable length.
For a mic extension basically 3 conductor (mic, ptt, and ground). Some mics only 2. Should have a shield though. If you have separate grounds, accessory buttons, hook line, or whatever will add to the count.
So to hang an optional device off of a radio here would be a minimal count:
Power to the device
Transmit audio
PTT
Receive audio
COR
Overall ground
Overall shield or at least the mic line.
I count 7 fingers. Funny but Motorola used to sell 7 conductor "Deskset Cable". Covered a lot of bases. Any self respecting radio gear head should have a hank of this cable stashed under the bench.
The real answer is buy what you need.
So to hang an optional device off of a radio here would be a minimal count:
Power to the device
Transmit audio
PTT
Receive audio
COR
Overall ground
Overall shield or at least the mic line.
I count 7 fingers. Funny but Motorola used to sell 7 conductor "Deskset Cable". Covered a lot of bases. Any self respecting radio gear head should have a hank of this cable stashed under the bench.
The real answer is buy what you need.
Last edited:
P
Your assessment of needs is about right. I don’t enjoy making cables but so often the only timely option. Soldering mini dins without melting everything is such a joy (need to fabricate a heat sink). The part I often need is shielded pair inside multi wire cable, not just shielding entire cable for times running data and audio in same cable. Twisted pairs sometimes works but actual shielding much better.
I went ferreting for some shielded twisted pair cable for remote ATU control and tone remote control for radio.
Came up with some rather good stuff that does nicely.
Came up with some rather good stuff that does nicely.
UL2547 Twist Shielded Cable Audio Signal Wire 18/20-28 AWG 2/3/4/5/6/7/8 Cores | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for UL2547 Twist Shielded Cable Audio Signal Wire 18/20-28 AWG 2/3/4/5/6/7/8 Cores at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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Some good cable, a bit hard to work with. Find some custom length.I too shy away from CAT cable for things like interconnect cabling. Prefer stranded every time.
This is what I bought last time and it works well.
Southwire 300V 22/8 Shielded Cable Riser-Rated 1000-ft.
Connect sound wires on shelves or between floors with bulk eight-conductor cables that allow up to four stereo links for intercoms, alarms and similar systems. Discount Low Voltage has bulk pull boxes of 22 AWG shielded riser audio cables that are made in the U.S. with color-coded strands.
However I see now they only sell 1000 ft spools. I think I got 250 back then. They do have a big selection though and maybe you can use the manufacturers numbers to Google a more reasonable length.
You have to hunt for it but there is cable with shielded pairs in numbers within an outer shield and mylar strain relief.
Professional audio recording and mixer stuff.
KD7RJC
Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2023
- Messages
- 103
Not all category cable is made equal.
If you found some S/FTP cable then the individual twisted pairs would be foiled separately from each other, and the overall cable is shielded as well. This should avoid both internal and alien crosstalk, at least this has been my experience in data networking with these sorts of cables.
If you found some S/FTP cable then the individual twisted pairs would be foiled separately from each other, and the overall cable is shielded as well. This should avoid both internal and alien crosstalk, at least this has been my experience in data networking with these sorts of cables.
KD7RJC
Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2023
- Messages
- 103
If you buy a stranded cable for it, yes it is flexible to an extent.
Category cable is available both stranded and solid. Solid is used for permanent cable from the wall jack through the building to the patch panel at the rack, but stranded is used from the jack to the equipment.
You'd have to look up if a stranded cable is available with the foiled pairs. Or accept the reduction in quality transitioning at the end(s) where the flexibiliy is required provided that the long run with the foiled and shielded cable does enough for what's required.
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