Re: What cable for Line level audio to outbuilding?

[L. M. Rappaport <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 9 Sep 2006 21:08:47 -0700, "longwood" <BillShopping@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote (with possible editing):

>I want to run a line level audio line to an outbuilding that will have
>its own amp and system.  (we currently have speaker on the back deck
>and we want the ability to have the same music playing).  The run will
>be a total of 175 feet, with about 100 feet underground.  The options I
>see are
>
>1)  a shielded 16/2 or 18/2 wire.  Problem is I can't find any that is
>rated for exterior use and even in a conduit I am sure it would get
>wet.  I used this wire well in the past for interior use.
>http://www.generalcable.com/NR/rdonlyres/879E734E-36FB-4997-8D19-8AF9A8B24090/0/Pg99_MltiCondShldRiser.pdf
>
>2)  Two rg6 coax cables with rca connectors on the ends.
>
>3)  A cat5 solution with baluns
>
>Any recommendations or input as to the best way to do it as well as
>sources for the cable would be appreciated.

The ideal cable would be flooded and shielded twisted pair.  I believe
Belden makes it, but you'll have to order it from Allied, Mouser, or
one like those.  ($expensive)  22 - 24 ga would be fine and only ONE
end should be grounded.  At the distance you're going you're likely to
have different ground potentials, so if the wire you use is shielded,
only ground ONE end.  The reason for twisted pair is that you really
need to use a balanced line which means transformers.  However, you
can try telephone wire or even regular shielded cable both of which
are easily obtainable in buryable (flooded) form.  If the hum isn't
too bad, you're only risk is tying together different grounds.
Ideally, you could use fiber, but the terminator boards would be quite
expensive.


--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com