What is it?

[RobKB1FJR]

I recall Wang Computers using coax cables and BNC Connectors. What could this be. It's in almost every room on at least on set of electrical outlets of a 1970s era college campus building.

 

[DJX]

50-ohm distro plugs.
Probably for internal video distribution back in the day.
Look like SO-239 plugs.

 

[K9WG]

Closed circuit TV

 

[w2xq]

Probably the wiring to connect (dumb) terminals to a mainframe located elsewhere.

 

[abear27]

I used to encounter networks still using BNC coax cables until the mid-90's...
They called it Thin Net or Thin Wire.

I think I still have a box of terminators and t-connector around here somewhere.

 

[RobKB1FJR]

I'm leaning towards video distribution because for every classroom to have a computer terminal in the 70s would be cost prohibitive for this state facility.

 

[mmckenna]

Video distribution. I work at a university and we have a lot of 1970's era buildings with the same stuff. No longer used of course, and if I recall correctly, it was all 75 ohm cable.

ThinNet used BNC, thick net used N. Neither of them used UHF connectors. Cables were all 50 ohm, also. Easy way to tell what that was would be to look at the cable.

 

[com501]

Video distribution. I work at a university and we have a lot of 1970's era buildings with the same stuff. No longer used of course, and if I recall correctly, it was all 75 ohm cable.

ThinNet used BNC, thick net used N. Neither of them used UHF connectors. Cables were all 50 ohm, also. Easy way to tell what that was would be to look at the cable.

Spoken like another of us 'ancient' techies....

 

[K9WG]

Spoken like another of us 'ancient' techies....

That and Twinax