[Milsurplus] TCS cable question...

[W2HX]

Hey guys. I have two TCS power cables (RX and TX). The cable is armored, very much like BX electrical cable. However it is not coiled like BX cable, it almost looks like super thick braided shielding with additional armor over it. Here is a picture:  https://w2hx.com/x/TCS-12/0313211939a.jpg  (you will see my attempt to cut through the armor)

The problem I have is that the armor came out of the connector (all 4 connectors). Now anytime I move the cable all of the force of the move puts the sharp edge of the armor against the insulated conductors. This was getting me nervous that one of these conductor's insulation was going to get compromised and I would have a short or a potentially very hot armor that I might grab unknowingly.

At first I was thinking of just locating new cables, but this is proving harder than I thought. So now I am thinking of removing (cutting off) the armor, leaving the pliable bundle of insulated conductors, and do something like install a wire tie every 6 inches or so to keep the bundle together.  I thought also of snakeskin, but to get over the connectors, it would have to be too big.

First question: Is there a reason I should be keeping this bundle shielded? Or am I ok without a shielded cable here?

Second question: Anyone have a suggestion how I could remove this armor? My first thought was to buy a BX cable cutter like the rotosplit that I've seen electricians use for decades. However, with BX cable, you need only cut through one "segment" and you can remove all of the armor above that segment. Also, installing BX typically there are no connectors like we have for the TCS so removing the armor is just pulling it off. In the case of the TCS cable, I think I would need to cut the entire length, pry it open length-wise and carefully extract the bundle.

Any other method suggestions ?

73 Eugene W2HX


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