Old timer at a job site told me my coax bends were too tight - he was right

I was doing a job in a new build over in Riverside and this guy who's been doing cable since the 80s walks past and goes 'you're gonna kill your signal with those 90 degree bends.' I thought it was fine because the cable was still working, but I checked my signal levels and sure enough they were tanking. Now I take the time to make gentle loops (you know, like a 6 inch radius minimum) and my callbacks dropped by like half. Has anyone else noticed their customers having spotty internet after a tight bend? I'm wondering if this is a bigger problem than people talk about.

2 comments

2 Comments

sam_anderson16d ago

Yeah tight bends are real but I think people overstate it a bit. Drop 3 dB on a 90 degree bend and you're still fine for most modern gear unless you're already riding a weak signal.

brian_jackson16d ago

My buddy Mike ran a whole CAT6 run through a basement conduit with three 90s and his link still tested fine at 48 meters. He was sweating it for nothing, honestly. @sam_anderson is right that most people worry way too much unless they're already fighting a weak signal.