Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watcgl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!watcgl!dmmartindale
From: dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: VCR to STEREO connecting technique
Message-ID: <918@watcgl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Jan-85 12:31:55 EST
Article-I.D.: watcgl.918
Posted: Wed Jan  9 12:31:55 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 10-Jan-85 07:10:24 EST
References: <1381@hplabs.UUCP>
Reply-To: dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale)
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 39

In article <1381@hplabs.UUCP> paull@hplabs.UUCP (Rob KA6SFV) writes:
>
>    What I do for the problem of connecting my Beta-HiFi VCR to
>the stereo amp is very simple. A got a 40 Ft. roll of audio type cable
>from Radio Shack and a pack of RCA jacks. I made two 20 ft. cables
>and connected them up. They work fine. Total cost about $6.00.
>
>Why blow all your dough on cables when inexpensive stuff works
>as well?????

I once cut up a Radio Shack patch cord to use it as an adapter.  The
sheild braid provided nowhere near 100% coverage of the inner insulator.
Looks like they scrimped on copper in the cable.  I wouldn't want to
use these in RF fields.
   
>    As far as using short audio and long RF cables, I can't figure that
>one out. It seems to me that cable losses are far greater at RF than
>AF. Were talking about 62-68 Mhz. RF (presuming your using channel 3
>out of your VCR. if not then were talking about 3 to 4 Mhz video)
>verses 20-20Khz AF.

For audio signals coming from a 10K ohm source impedance (typical),
the losses at 20KHz are significantly *different* than those at 20Hz
for 20 feet of standard coax.  This produces a frequency response change
which you might hear.  For video signals, which must use a 75-ohm source
impedance into a terminated cable to avoid reflections, much longer cables
can easily be driven.  If you are transmitting video, losses at 4.2MHz will
not be much different than those at 60Hz.  And if you are transmitting
RF, the cable losses will only reduce the carrier level, not affecting the
displayed picture at all if the set's AGC can compensate.

>If you have the urge to spend heavy dollars for cables, check your
>local Radio Shack first. Also for speaker wire, check you local
>welding supply house.

Welding cable is great stuff - very flexible for its current-carrying
capacity.  I use it for battery jumper cables.  But it's not cheap.
If you just want a very heavy cable for speaker wire (which doesn't
have to flex) ordinary electrical wire should be cheaper.