Where to get CAT5?

[jade1001]

Greetings,

Where I live at, CAT5 costs an arm and a leg. Its because they are the only place that sells it.

A bunch of us budgeted for a cable crimper and now we are shopping for RJ-45 STP cable that comes in a roll not pre-punched. Does anyone happen to know where is the best place to get this kind of CAT5?

Thanks,
jade>:O>

 

[jimbopalmer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3019653137&category=40988

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3020026110&category=20312

ships to USA only

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3020419719&category=3704

ships to USA only


this search finds all of them

http://search-desc.ebay.com/search/...311&Top10=&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&catref=C1

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[baltimore]

as much as I cringe when i say this....but home depot sells all that stuff.........and I hate it because its taking food away from my table.....

 

[jeffmoss26]

They dont sell shielded though (at least I dont think they do) and this person is using shielded.

jeff moss

 

[skip555]

A bunch of us budgeted for a cable crimper

would lead me to beieve he is looking for stranded cable not shielded

do a google or ebay search for stranded cat 5

or try graybar, adi or alltel

we'll leave the wisdom of making your own patch cables for another discussion

 

[Bobg1]

jade where are you located?

Folks, remember not everyone using these forums will be in the US.

 

[mikeydidit]

Jade. If you are making your own patch cables let us know and we can save you a lot of heart aches. You can buy patch cables that are certified for dirt now days. Post if you are and we can send you some places to call anyway.

If you find any mistakes, please consider that they are there for a purpose. And everyone needs a purpose.
Hope this helps, Mikey.

 

[jade1001]

Thanks Everyone for your responses!

I am in Kansas. And I think I am from the only part of Kansas where no one uses the internet (hard to imagine that such places exist anymore). I and a load of friends are trying to build a home network. I've got a router, several switches, and a cluster of computers I want to put on my LAN. Only thing I'm missing is CAT5 cable.

Everyone says find STP so I must search for STP.

Thanks,
jade>:O>

 

[baltimore]

you can buy 14 ft patch cords for 2-3 bucks each........how can you go wrong???????

 

[rvw]

what part of Kansas I'm in the southeast part.

 

[jimbopalmer]

I feel oblidged to tell you that NO part of ANY ethernet standard uses STP cable.
It is never the approved or recommended cable in ANY ethernet network that is standards based.

I truly reccomend pre-made cables for over 10 meg ethernet, but if you are making your own stranded Unshielded Twisted Pair cat5e cable is a good choice

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[DTSMAN]

Usually we pay about $50.00 for a 1000ft roll from the hardware stores. If you are paying more they may be trying to sell you plenum or shielded. which you dont need for your home installation.

 

[skip555]

Everyone says find STP so I must search for STP.

you sure they didnt say UTP ?

 

[AFTech81]

STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) is used mainly for protection against EMI (electo-magnetic interference) which can degrade and sometimes completely destroy a signal. It can also be used for security reasons to help prevent cross-talk. Good cable to have, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.

UTP or Unshielded Twisted Pair is what is used in most business's (unless they have gone to fiber) and home LANs.
Not as many benefits since EMI and cross-talk both affect it, but the cost is much, much lower than STP. If you're not planning on running cable over flourescent light fixtures and security isn't an issue, I'd definately go with UTP.

Brian
USAF
Network +, Win2k Pro

 

[jacassc]

STP...are u willing to follow throughout with the complete installation including jacks/patch panel s that continue carrying the shield end to end...if not?...how will the shield/drain wire be terminated? Seems much for a home network. The crimp tool, the industry doesn't recommend "hand terminated" patch cords or plug terminated cable runs