reducing RG-8X mini coax sag?

[eorange]

I am running a 50' length of RG-8x mini in a crawl space under our kitchen. The coax is suspended from the floor joices overhead.

The problem is any screw-in or nail-in wiring clip I've used holds the cable up, but there's not enough friction to keep the coax taut. So, it sags pretty bad in between the clips. The coax runs perpendicular to the joices, and I've been using a clip in every other joice.

I was originally using the clips that were used for RG-6 satellite TV coax, but there was way too much give. So then I switched to the RG-58 clips from Home Depot, and it's a very good fit, but not enough to keep the coax from sagging in between joices.

I don't want to crush the coax. Any ideas? I was trying to think of a material that I could wrap around the coax where I place it in the clip - maybe a few turns of electrical tape, or something else, to help promote some friction so it doesn't slide.

 

[KE5MC]

I don't think the tape will hold up to the summer heat. I would use a tie wrap only pulled up by hand and not using a tool designed for the task.

edit:
Missed the floor joices information, heats not a problem.

 

[LordJ]

You can buy cable tie mounts and screw them in place..
http://cableorganizer.com/adhesive-base/

 

[n8emr]

why does it matter if it sags?

 

[ka5lqj]

"Sag"......

Hi,

Unless you have dogs or squirrels that might get under the crawl space a little sag is ok. But to ease
your mind, if you can still find it, a wrap or two of "friction tape" would be enough for the nail-in cable
standoffs to work, just don't nail in too hard or you'll pinch the cable and might compromise it.

I wouldn't worry about it, though. You don't want the cable too taut as if there is a hard pull, the
shield or center-wire will "snap" and you may not be able to see where it separated. Thus, you have
to replace the whole span. Cost + crawling back under is NOT "fun". :-(

Now, if you are using the coax to listen to UHF or 800 mHz trunked frequencies and in a high noise
area, double-shielded RG-213 coax is better, more costly but better, not only for the noise factor but
for getting more signal to your scanner. (Yes, Virginia, receiver's have VSWR, LOL!) Example: You
can use quad-shielded RG-6 cable tv cable, with the proper adapters to a scanner antenna. It's good
for high-noise, electrical and pager interference. But, the drawback is that you automatically have a
1.5:1 vswr + the adapter loss added in. IF you add a pre-amp, this only adds to the noise and pager
interference. :-(

"Sag" is not good on vertical mounted antennas, as the wind will 'whip' the coax @round causing the
shield or center-conductor to break. There's really NOT a lot you can do for horizontal antenna and
coax spans.

Well, I hope that helps. The best coax you can afford is the way to go, though.

Respectfully submitted,
73 (Best Regard)

Don/KA5LQJ

 

[eorange]

A little sag is OK; I am not expecting the coax to be taut. But the sag is about a foot between every other joice! The weight of the coax (what little there is) just pulls itself down. That's too much and it's apt to get caught on me / my head / others who go through the crawl space.

Anyway, the friction tape sounds just like what I'm looking for - I'll give that a try.

As an aside, this is the same coax I used in the previous house for years, so it's good enough for what I need.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[N_Jay]

Run a piece of steel cable (like picture wire) as a carrier to hold the weight of the coax.

Gently wrap the wire around the coax (about one turn every foot or so).
Tension the ends of the wire and it will hold up the coax.

 

[tonsoffun]

Hi Eric,
How about some non-expensive plastic conduit. Mount that up then run your cable inside and your good to go even with some protection.

N-jay's idea is good as well!
Take care
Ron

 

[eorange]

The friction tape did the trick! I am using it with the original RG-6 screw-in clips.