How do test coaxial cable?

Have a coaxlial cable line coming out of a wall box (other side is a closet). Line was mounted to closet ceiling and live at one time, but when closet was refinished, contractor either disconnected the line or moved splitter to inside the ceiling. I don’t have a small TV to connect and test the wall line. How can I find out if the wall out connection is still live? Don’t want to buy a 100′ RG cable just to make a one-time test. Any suggestions?

A small tv would actually be the best test, but you can try using an ohm meter & check continuity through the cable. What you would do is -with both ends disconnected,short 1 end with a jumper (the center conductor to ground), then at the other end hook up the meter. If you get a reading of 0-5 ohms then you know the cable is not cut. If you get an open reading, guess what?
Also, you would have to unhook the jumper at 1 end & take an ohm reading. You don’t want to measure a short now as this will tell you that the contractor probably drove a nail or screw through the cable & shorted the 2 leads together.
Hope this gives you a place to start!
Good Luck!

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