F Connector Installation on RG6 & RG11 Coaxial Cables

How to Properly Install F Connectors on RG6 and RG11 Cables

Connections are one of the most critical parts of any terrestrial or satellite TV installation. Even the highest-quality coaxial cable cannot perform properly if unsuitable connectors are used or if they are not installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.

KATHREIN offers a complete range of F connectors for RG6 and RG11 coaxial cables, suitable for both residential installations and demanding professional MATV, SMATV, and Hospitality TV networks.

In this guide, we present the correct cable preparation process and the installation of KATHREIN EMK 01, EMK 12, EMK 17, and EMK 19 screw-on and compression F connectors.

Materials Play an Important Role

The quality of the coaxial cable and connectors directly affects the overall performance of the installation.

KATHREIN offers a comprehensive range of products for television, satellite, and terrestrial signal distribution networks, including:

• Coaxial cables
• F connectors and connection accessories
• Interconnection components
• Multiswitches
• Amplifiers
• Signal measurement instruments
• RF and SAT-IF distribution systems

Our company places particular emphasis on the quality of cables and connections, as they form the foundation of every reliable television signal distribution installation.

Materials and Tools

To install an F connector, you will need:

• 75 Ω coaxial cable
• An F connector suitable for the cable diameter
• Cable stripping tool
• Cable cutter
• Compression tool (for compression connectors)

Choosing the Right Connector

Selecting the correct connector depends on the diameter and type of the coaxial cable.

For KATHREIN RG6 cables, such as LCD 90, LCD 111 A+, LCD 115 A+, LCD 120 A+, and LCD 130 A+, the following connectors are recommended:

• EMK 01 (Screw-On F Connector)
• EMK 12 (Compression F Connector)

For RG11 cables, such as LCM 14 A+ and LCM 17 A+, the following connectors are recommended:

• EMK 17 (Screw-On F Connector)
• EMK 19 (Compression F Connector)

Using the correct connector ensures excellent mechanical retention, low insertion loss, and high shielding performance against interference.

Screw-On or Compression Connectors?

Screw-on connectors provide a quick and cost-effective solution for small installations and maintenance work.

Compression connectors are the preferred choice for professional installations, offering:

• Better mechanical strength
• Higher sealing performance
• Greater resistance to moisture
• Improved shielding effectiveness
• Long-term reliability

For hotels, apartment buildings, and central television distribution networks, compression connectors are now considered the industry best practice.

Preparing RG6 Cables

Proper cable stripping is required when installing EMK 01 and EMK 12 connectors on RG6 cables.

During cable preparation:

• Remove the outer jacket.
• Carefully fold the shielding braid back.
• Expose the center conductor according to the dimensions specified by KATHREIN.
• Ensure that no strands of the shielding braid come into contact with the center conductor.

Proper preparation is essential for optimum connector performance and to prevent short circuits.

Installing the EMK 01 Screw-On Connector

The EMK 01 is a screw-on F connector designed for RG6 cables.

After preparing the cable:

• Insert the connector onto the cable end.
• Rotate it clockwise until it is fully tightened.
• Ensure that the dielectric reaches the internal stop of the connector.
• Check that the center conductor protrudes correctly.

After installation, the connector should not rotate freely on the cable.

Installing the EMK 12 Compression Connector

The EMK 12 is a professional compression F connector designed for RG6 cables.

The installation process includes:

• Preparing the cable according to KATHREIN specifications.
• Inserting the connector fully onto the cable.
• Compressing the connector using the appropriate compression tool (ZAW 13).
• Performing a visual inspection of the completed connection.

Once compressed, the connector creates a strong 360° mechanical connection around the cable.

Preparing RG11 Cables

RG11 cables are mainly used for long cable runs and central distribution networks due to their lower signal losses.

Because of their larger diameter, cable preparation requires greater accuracy.

Particular attention should be paid to:

• The shielding braid
• The exposed center conductor
• The uniform stripping of the outer jacket

Installing the EMK 17 Screw-On Connector

The EMK 17 has been specifically designed for RG11 cables.

The installation procedure is similar to that of the EMK 01:

• Proper cable stripping.
• Positioning the connector onto the cable.
• Fully tightening the connector until it reaches its final position.
• Checking the mechanical retention.

The larger connector body ensures a secure fit on RG11 cables.

Installing the EMK 19 Compression Connector

The EMK 19 is the professional compression connector solution for RG11 cables.

It is commonly used in:

• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Residential complexes
• Central television distribution networks
• SAT-IF distribution systems

Once compressed, it provides excellent mechanical strength and a high level of protection against environmental factors.

Common Installation Mistakes

The most common problems encountered during installations are:

• Shielding braid strands touching the center conductor
• An excessively long center conductor
• Incomplete insertion of the cable into the connector
• Using a connector with the wrong diameter
• Poor compression on compression connectors

These issues can lead to increased error rates, lower MER values, and signal reception problems.

Conclusion

The correct selection and installation of F connectors is a key factor in the reliability of any television distribution network.

The EMK 01 and EMK 17 screw-on connectors provide a quick and easy installation solution, while the EMK 12 and EMK 19 compression connectors are the recommended choice for professional applications where maximum mechanical strength, superior shielding performance, and long-term reliability are required.