Cable TV Installation

The very first aspect to be looked at when considering to start a cable TV operation is the availability of required clientele to make the operation successful and PROFITABLE. You have to therefore make a reasonable in situ assessment of firm customers, likely customers and future prospective customers. The annualised cost of operation, taking into account amortisation of initial capital costs, depreciation, interest payments etc, must at least be offset by the returns from the 'firm customers', then at least some extension of service could be expected to other users which would automatically make the operations or venture successful and profitable.

Setting

Simultaneously you have to locate suitable site for the dish antenna system location, to meet the programme expectations by the would be customers. If there are no prospective sites which offer unobstructed view in the look angles to satellites to be accessed, the CTV operation is doomed to failure before you start. Costeffective correct siting is an all important factor, to be taken into account right in the beginning. Availability of space nearby for a CR is a must.

It should be seen that in future too the antenna views to the satellite would remain clear and no highrise buildings or structures are likely to come up which could obscure the boresightings. The design should also see that the resulting C/N ratio at the input to the receiver would be better than about 14 dB. Good video receivers employ a techniques called 'Threshold Extension' which enables good reception even with C/N ratios few dB less 8 dB.

You then decide what options could be offered, apart from the minimum service (programmes) expected by the customers, to sweeten the service benefits to the customer and result in enhanced profit to you as CTV operator.

Equipment

Based on the above you now decide on the number, type and size of the antennas to be installed, and the way they are to be laid out on the site, the polarisations to be catered for, Type and number of LNBs required and the cable runs to the control room, from the antenna or antennas. You have also to work out the types and number of receivers, modulators, line amplifier/power dividers, combiners etc needed to offer the service.

Cable Runs

Next you decide on the cable runs needed to the customers, taking into account balanced loading of the cable runs, including provision for prospective customers en route. An improper distribution system would entail considerable unnecessary cost due to additional cable lengths that may be called for as well as additional he amplifiers etc. You can now have a fairly close estimate of total system cost, and worthwhileness of going ahead with the venture. By and large due to ever growing demand for CTV connections growth should not be a problem unless competing CTV operations are present in the same neighbourhood.

Nice of Coaxial Cables