What are the cable specification minimums and do I need line amplifiers?
The latest specifications from Hughes state: Coaxial cable with copper CLAD steel center conductor is not recommended. Cables should be RG-6 with SOLID COPPER center conductors for both Receive and Transmit cables under 300 feet. For 300-420 feet, the cable for Transmit should be solid copper center conductor with Quad Shielding. A higher grade can be used on short runs but do not use lower grade on longer lengths. Line Amplifiers should be employed when the distance is over 150 feet and less than 300 feet but placed only on the Receive cable. Hughes say’s “The line amplifier should be located approximately 25 feet from the LNB on the dish” but Channel Master which produces line amps says, “Care should be taken not to overload the amplifier (see specifications). Depending upon LNB gain, this will usually involve leaving a minimum distance of 100 feet of RG6U between the LNB and the line amplifier.
While your installer will take care of this concern for you, some homes are wired with RG-59 cabling which is not suitable for HughesNet. So if you want to use existing cabling in your house, you will need to discuss your specific case with your installer. The latest specifications from Hughes, the makers of the hardware used by all vendors, state: Coaxial cable with copper CLAD steel center conductor is not recommended. Cables should be RG-6 with SOLID COPPER center conductors for both Receive and Transmit cables under 300 feet. For 300-420 feet, the cable for Transmit should be solid copper center conductor with Quad Shielding. A higher grade can be used on short runs but do not use lower grade on longer lengths. Line Amplifiers should be employed when the distance is over 150 feet and less than 300 feet but placed only on the Receive cable.
The latest specifications from Hughes state: Coaxial cable with copper CLAD steel center conductor is not recommended. Cables should be RG-6 with SOLID COPPER center conductors for both Receive and Transmit cables under 300 feet. For 300-420 feet, the cable for Transmit should be solid copper center conductor with Quad Shielding. A higher grade can be used on short runs but do not use lower grade on longer lengths. Line Amplifiers should be employed when the distance is over 150 feet and less than 300 feet but placed only on the Receive cable. Hughes say’s “The line amplifier should be located approximately 25 feet from the LNB on the dish” but Channel Master which produces line amps says, “Care should be taken not to overload the amplifier (see specifications).
