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2.4.1.
RF Cables
Carlson carries professional-grade RF coax cables that provide greater durability and less
attenuation/loss than those readily available. We offer and recommend well-insulated 75-Ohm
broadband coaxial cable with gas-injected foam polyethylene insulation. For short jumper
connections, use 18 AWG RG-6/U cables with a solid .040” bare copper conductor. For longer
runs, use 14 AWG RG-11 cables with a .064” bare copper conductor.
Only use cables with 100% solid copper center conductors. Lower-quality copper-clad
conductors have decreased performance and can lead to failures.
75-Ohm cabling used for RuralConnect® installation cannot exceed 150-feet (45.72 meters).
Terminate all coax cables with weather-sealed 75-Ohm F-type compression connectors with
PVC jackets. Do not use crimp-type connectors.
Avoid cable bends as much as possible; do not put more than a 90-degree bend in any cable
run.
2.4.2.
Data Cables
Network performance is greatly affected by the quality of the data cabling used. Carlson carries
and recommends shielded, grounded, outdoor Category-5 or higher twisted pair cable.
2.5.
Recommended Tools
These are the tools needed to set up a RuralConnect® system. Make sure you have them
handy to ensure a seamless installation.
ESD gear
Wrench set (Standard)
Socket set (Standard)
Screwdriver set (Phillips and Standard)
Multimeter/multitester
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Vapor wrap
Electrical tape
You will need an IBM PC-compatible computer (or equivalent virtual machine) equipped with the
following:
Microsoft Windows 7 or greater
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
At least 512 Megabytes (MB) of RAM
Keyboard and mouse (or other compatible pointing device)
Display adapter and monitor (1024x768 or higher resolution)
100/1000 Mbps Ethernet network adapter
Pre-Installation
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