Best coax cable to use for transmitting sound?

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jrenfree - 11 Jul 2007 19:32 GMT

In my job, we regularly emit chirps underwater and record the
reflected sound. To do this, we have a computer installed with a
function generator and oscilloscope card, which we connect to the
transducers using coax cables. I was wondering if there is one
certain type of coax cable that is better than all the rest for
sending out this signal with low loss and low noise. As of now we are
using RG-58/RG-58U cables, but is there anything that is better suited
for this application?

Thanks!

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Don Pearce - 11 Jul 2007 19:33 GMT

>In my job, we regularly emit chirps underwater and record the
>reflected sound. To do this, we have a computer installed with a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Thanks!

No. Unless there is anything a little more waterproof.

d

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http://www.pearce.uk.com

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GregS - 11 Jul 2007 20:09 GMT

>In my job, we regularly emit chirps underwater and record the
>reflected sound. To do this, we have a computer installed with a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>using RG-58/RG-58U cables, but is there anything that is better suited
>for this application?

The best is a large hard line filled with nitrogen. Like a big 3 inch dia copper pipe.

There are less lossy cables. There are also faster cables (TFE)
You need to maintain impedance. RG213, RG8, would be the 50 ohm lower
loss, higher power cable to replace RG58 A lot bigger.

RG62 is 92 ohms, a lot less loss, slightly bigger, less flexable.
A hollow core, traps a lot of air. Floats well.

There is also the low loss cable TV type at 75 ohms.
The foam type coax will also probably float.
Significantly better than RG58 in loss.

I can't see you needing low loss cable. Depending on the setup, you may need
some sort od preamp at the transducer end, to buffer the signal back,
but it can't affect the drive.

greg

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Natural Science Forum / Physics / Acoustics / July 2007

Best coax cable to use for transmitting sound?