Tools for RG59 Push fit connectors

[Kwikphix328]

Hi,

Home DIY'er but employed in Aviation industry as a tech so am 'on the spanners'.

I need some extra cables and figured I would DIY. 

Do Vigin installers use a specific tool to push connectors onto coax prior to crimping F Pugs ?

I have the RG59 Virgin coax  and some Cablecon F-59-CX3  3.9 push fit connectors. 

I have Coax stripper and a push fit crimping tool. 

I have found it really difficult to push the connector onto the coax. It looks like the inner sleeve inserts between the Coax wire braid and the foil sheild. 

I have managed to make one good connection which took a lot of effort pushing the connector on.

The last installer made the connections in seconds however forgot to take photos of the pliers etc he used. 

Any recommendations ? Do you use flaring tools to open up a gap between braid and foil ?  🤔 or do I need to just push harder  🙂

 

[legacy1]

Why not let VM do it?

[Kwikphix328]

Thanks for reply Legacy1.

I don't have an issue with VM doing it, and am willing to pay for the service.

Really it is the fact that I have the parts and most of the tooling already. I am interested in doing stuff myself when I think I can do it. Also I am renovating the house that we are living in right now so sometimes need to switch rooms at short notice. Depending on what is being worked.  

I needed a cable yesterday afternoon, and just couldn't wait to book an appointment with an installation engineer. 

If some nutter knocks on the door of your van when you are stopped for a break, asking about tooling... it might just be me ! 

[legacy1]

cable from outside to hub is VM you don't want to cause problem for any thing you do.

[Roger_Gooner]

VM don't like people messing around with the network because it's shared and a problem you cause can adversely affect others in the area. So, pay VM £25 to send round a tech.

[japitts]

A large proportion of faults are caused by well-intentioned DIY fixes, and a few regulars on this board have first-hand experience of techs tracing issues to neighbour's home-made cabling.

[nodrogd]

It is very risky doing any DIY on VMs RF infrastructure. The majority of the spectrum used is shared with Digital Radio, Terrestrial TV, & mobile phone services. Any ingress from this can get back to the street amplifier & disrupt the entire network segment. I have some experience of working with RF as an ex aerial rigger, & I would not second guess doing any work on VM in my own property. There is also the issue of power levels. Altering the cable length & changing connectors can have a significant effect on your service. The only way of fixing this is by opening the street cabinet & making adjustments.

VM only charges £25 for any alterations. It used to be £99, but was no doubt changed in order to discourage customers making cheaper alterations & then having to pick up the pieces afterwards.

[jpeg1]

"I have the RG59 Virgin coax and some Cablecon F-59-CX3 3.9 push fit connectors. "

Is that really VM's own coax?  Many people think RG59 is a single fixed specification.  It isn't and there are many varieties of RG59.  VM use a very high spec version that you can't buy on Amazon etc.

[Roger_Gooner]

Yes, VM has got both RG59 and RG6 installed internally, and both are triple shielded. Furthermore VM uses crimped F connectors, better than push-on connectors which are more prone to signal quality issues due to a looser connection.

[Adduxi]

The latest connections that VM did for me are those push on ones.  They are not crimped as such, but the tool used pushes the connection on for an "interference" fit.