Cable selection criteria for use with Shottrack VoD305

The ShotTrack VoD305 is a time domain reflectometer type of VoD measurement device.

The sample rate of the unit is 256,000 s/s. This is a period of 3.90625 microseconds.

The timer resolution is approximately 90 picoseconds (calibrated against temperature on

manufacture).

The speed of light is 2.997925 x 108 m/s and the table below gives a typical velocity factor as a
percentage of the speed of light for a few different cables.

VF (%) Transmission line

95–99 Open-wire "Ladder" Line
93 HJ8-50B 3 inch Heliax coaxial cable (air dielectric)[10]
86 RG-8 Belden 7810A coaxial cable (gas-injected foam high-density polyethylene)[11]
83 RG-6 Belden 1189A coaxial cable, RG-11 Belden 1523A coaxial cable
82 RG-8X Belden 9258 coaxial cable (foamed polyethylene dielectric)
80 Belden 9085 twin-lead
77 RG-8/U generic (foamed polyethylene)
66 Belden 8723 twin shielded twisted pair stranded (polypropylene insulator)[12]
66 RG-213 CXP213 (solid polyethylene dielectric)

Our recommended cable is RG6 Quad shield. It is used for cable TV and has good specifications.
Taking the RG-6 Belden 1189A as similar to the RG6 cable we use this gives us a velocity of
approximately 249,000,000 m/s. Theoretically the time taken to travel 305 meters is 305/249000000
= 1.2248e-6 (1225 nanoseconds) double this to get the return time and we have a theoretical time of
around 2450 ns.

Typically the calibration factor for the RG6 Quad shield cable we use is around 8.2 so a 305 meter
cable will have a return time period of 305 x 8.2 = 2501 nanoseconds. The unit has the capability to
measure a time period of 2700 ns so this cable can safely be used with the unit with cable lengths up
to the maximum of 305 meters.

The RG-8/U would have a return time of 2642 ns so is marginal for use with 305 meter lengths.

If a cable with a low velocity is used then the maximum length that can be used is proportionally
shorter than those with a higher velocity. As a rule of thumb if you get a calibration factor of 8.8
then a full 305 meter reel cannot be used.

Warning
Using the inbuilt cable calibration function with low velocity coaxial cable can give false and
contradictory results. If the total return time of the cable exceeds 2700 ns then the unit will not get a
true end of cable return and the calibration factor will be incorrect. If a value over 8.8 is retuned
then it is best to assume the cable is too slow to use at 305 meters. It will be possible to use a
shorter length for example 250 meters and use the software cable calibration function to obtain a
calibration for that cable. Then these reduced lengths can be used with the unit.