[PVRCNC] new shack / cable modem wiring question

[Jim Jordan K4QPL]

You've got good advice already on the technical side. Like women who can't
be too rich or too thin, you can't have too many cables in your walls.

A couple other tips. On exterior walls, don't get too close to the outside
to avoid damage from existing nails in cladding and siding and damage from
future repairs. Use nail guards on the interior where wires go through 2x4's
to avoid weird effects after hanging shelves, plaques, etc. One of those
theorems about if there is one spot where something can be damaged by a 1/8"
pointed object, the first time a nail hits wood (which is after 6 drywall
blanks) it will find that spot.

Get out your camera (digital is great if you have) and take pictures of
important wall sections after you've put in the wiring and before the
drywall goes on. Store them on a CD with notes and dimensions. It's amazing
how we forget things we are sure we won't. If you ever want to intercept the
cables for a hanging stereo speaker, another jack, etc., or need to know
where the AC wiring runs for another outlet or switch, it's great to know
what you'll find and where to find it instead of turning the drywall into
something resembling swiss cheese during a later retrofit. (Yes, no matter
how many cables you put in now, there will be something needed later.)

Have fun and 73,

Jim, K4QPL

----- Original Message -----
From: <AA4NC@aol.com>
To: <pvrc@mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <pvrcnc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 6:20 PM
Subject: [PVRCNC] new shack / cable modem wiring question


> I'm currently building an addition on to my house that will include a new
> hamshack. I'm trying to prewire for everything that I can think of while I
> have access to the attic space / interior walls.
>
> I currently don't have high speed internet service, but plan to upgrade
when
> the addition is complete. I can now get DSL and cable modem service here,
but
> I'll probably go with cable since I already have digital service and can
get
> a better deal on the bundle from the lovely folks at AOL/Time Warner. My
> question is about how to wire this out. I plan to bring the current coax
> feeding the cable TV to a junction in the attic and providing each new
room
> with a cable feed for television. Since I want an internet connection in
each
> room as well, should I run CAT5 LAN cable to each room as well, or is this
> redundant since I will have a coax cable there already? I guess it's also
a
> question of using a single modem/small LAN vs. using one modem/extra
wiring.
> Do the cable modem boxes use RJ45 connectors? Are there multiple outputs
on
> the cable modems or do you have to provide your own hub if you want
multiple
> computers attached to the same modem?
>
> I'm wiring every room with phone/internet/cable TV/home theater speakers.
Any
> other gee-whiz gotta haves that I should plan for while I have the access?
>
> I'd also like any tips that you may have for wiring the hamshack. I plan
on
> having a ground buss that will be tied to several ground rods including
the
> AC service. This should provide a single point ground for all the
equipment.
> Feedlines and control cables will come through the foundation wall up into
> the shack. Inside I'm providing lots of 120 VAC and four 220VAC feeds for
> amps.
>
> Any other things I should consider doing at this stage of the game?
>
> 73,
>
> Will
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