Interconnects from digital satellite cable?

[CageyH]

Are expensive interconnects overrated?
I ask this question, as I have just knocked up a pair of cables using Webro WF100.
I don’t expect them to be better than my UP-OCC silver cables, but can they better a more run of the mill cable?

[karma67]

i made a pair of interconnects from webro 100 and given its price i was very impressed. in answer to your question id say yes.

[Stratmangler]

I would think the main problem with them would be rigidity.
I'd be inclined to go for something with a multistranded core wire for better flexibility.

Rigid cable does not survive at all well if you're fond of cable swapping.

[Barry]

I made some cables using Webro WF65 twin coax cable. The interconnects were made using the cable 'shotgun' style, that is using the inner conductor of one cable for the signal, and the inner core of the second cable for the return. The screens of the two cables were connected together at each end, but were insulated from the plugs.

This configuration is used by Chord for their Tuned ARRY interconnects, and NVA use the same arrangement in their SSC and SSP cables.

The configuration minimises inter conductor capacitance/ unit length, whilst providing a degree of shielding. Yes, the assembly is stiff and not particularly flexible, but I found them to work well. Still have them kicking around somewhere, amongst several other experimental cables I made.


You can of course use the two coaxial cables to make up a stereo pair.

[diviy]

Barry do you have a pic of the cables you made up due to my dyslexia I can`t follow what you need to do to terminate them as they say a picture shows a thousand words .
I need to make up two pairs for a project .


Cheers Gerry

[Barry]

Hi Gerry,

This is the cable I used: Webro WF65, used in satellite installations.

http://www.webro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Webro-WF100-Twin-Twinsat-WF65-Twin-Cable-1024x121.png

https://www.webro.com/coaxial/tv-satellite/wf65-twin/

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2851704.pdf

As you can see it consists to two completely separate coaxial cables, where the outer insulated sheathing is joined to form what is known as a 'shotgun' configuration (because it looks like the twin barrels of a shotgun).

The centre conductor of one of the coaxial cables connects between the two centre pins of the RCA phono plugs. The centre conductor of the second coaxial cable connects between the outer conductors of the two RCA plugs. The braided and foil screeens are not used at all, but are themselves connected to one another at each end, and insulated from the metalwork of the plugs. This arrangement provides sufficient screening/shielding from RFI.

I have managed to find the pair I made. They are 1 metre long, and terminated in Maplin RCA phono plugs. I will try to take some photos (tomorrow, as I need to recharge the battery in my camera), but it will be difficult to show the exact construction due to the heatshrink sleeving insulating the screens from the plug - but I will try my best.

[Barry]

Here are some photos of the cables I made:

https://i.postimg.cc/mZqQznzd/091.jpg

And here is how they are wired:

The centre conductor of one of the twin cable pair is wired between the two pins of the phono plugs as normal:

https://i.postimg.cc/XvJfy68z/090.jpg

whereas the centre conductor of the second cable of the twin pair is wired between the outer part of the phono plug:

https://i.postimg.cc/kX6LKLjD/089.jpg

The outer braided and foil screen of both cables are connected together at each end where they enter the plugs, but are insulated from the metalwork of the plugs with heat shrink sleeving.