[sdiy] Which Coax for modular patch cables?

[Colin Hinz]

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004, doof wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I'm building up a modular system and I want to make my own
> patch cables.  The system is primarily of the mini-plug
> variety.  Can anyone give me a recommendation on a good
> brand/model of coax to use for this purpose?  Primarily
> it needs to be thin and flexible.  Belden have something
> like that?

Belden #9396 is superb. Very flexible, 0.10" outer diameter,
and very durable. I learned of it from where I was working
at the time -- we were using it for a rotating sensor head,
so not only was the cable being flexed continuously, but
it was constantly being "zapped" with 300V sonar transmit
chirps. The #9396 survived this sort of abuse just fine.

The shield is a spiral wrap of wires, with 90% coverage.
Very easy to unwrap and solder. The dielectric insulation
is good-quality PVC which doesn't melt when you solder
right next to it -- quite unlike some cable I've been
cursed with.

For patch cords with 1/4" plugs, I've found nothing better
than Belden #8410. When I started getting "into" musical
electronics, I bought a spool of this stuff and a bag of
Switchcraft plugs. Those patch cords have never let me
down, not EVER. Alas, I now see that this type is now
available only in 500' spools, which falls into the
"insanely too much" category. The CDN$550 price tag is
too much, too. So I'm back to buying cords at the local
music store. They're not as good, but they'll do.

- Colin Hinz
  Toronto, Canada