Coaxial telephone cable testing using a c.w. burst method

The measurement of impedance irregularities in wideband coaxial telephone cables in the factory or in the field poses serious problems to the instrument engineer. This paper reviews some current measurement techniques and proposes a c.w. burst test method as an effective solution to some of the problems encountered. The c.w. burst method is explained and a commercial test set described. The advantages of this method over conventional swept frequency measurements are described, and its limitations in the cable test field noted. Results of measurements made on a length of wideband coaxial telephone cable are presented to illustrate the advantages claimed for adopting the technique for swept frequency measurements, especially on drum lengths of cable.