Re: CATV
for help laying out this stuff check out
www.onqtech.com. channel vision and channel plus are also good sources for layout info.
be sure to terminate any unused outlets either on the splitters at the head end or at the outlets with 75 ohm resistor caps to avoid radiating the neighborhoor and further attenuating your signal at the drops you are using.
use quad-shield rg6 cable and crimp-on f connectors. make sure the f connectors are installed per manufacturer's instructions. look for a crimping tool/end combo that yields a conical crimp around the base of the connector. ensure that the dielectric foam insulation around the center conductor of the rg6 protrudes a little into the connector so that it can seal up against the bulkhead connector.
satellite systems require more frequency headroom. look for 1.5-2Ghz rated splitters and amplifiers. some systems require bidirectional amplifiers while others are fine with one-way amps. buy good quality amps, connectors, splitters, etc. from a pro supplier [not RS].