# Does this sort of cable-screw =\> ethernet adapter exist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008 "2010-03-19T14:24:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008/1 "2010-03-19T14:24:41Z")
The wireless router our ISP gave us is an awful Linksys, so I figured I’d buy one (since I have to pay per month for the one we have) and see if it works better. I bought an [airport express](http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/) that works great. The problem is, it doesn’t have a screw-on cable plug (that’s my term for [this](http://hometheater.about.com/od/hometheaterdoityourself/ig/Home-Theater-Connection-Photo-/RF-Coaxial-Cable---Screw-on-.htm)). So I’ve got the cable screwed onto the old wireless router, with an ethernet cable going to the new Airport Express. What are my options here? Do I need to buy another router for the screw cable, or is there a simple adapter I can get? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008/2 "2010-03-19T14:31:43Z")
There are two completely different things here: a wireless router, and a cable modem. In the case of your LinkSys, both things have been combined into a single box. Your Airport is not a cable modem, it’s just a wireless router with some Ethernet ports. There’s no way to connect it directly to the cable, because it doesn’t have the circuitry for modulating a cable modem signal. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008/3 "2010-03-19T14:36:39Z")
what you have set up is OK. you need a cable modem for the cable you show to plug into, the cable modem could also include a router and it could be a wireless router. if you want it in one box use the Linksys or the same function in another brand. the ---
**Author:** ![Apex\_Rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Apex\_Rogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apex_Rogers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008/4 "2010-03-20T05:17:06Z")
> [@gitfiddle](#): > > The wireless router our ISP gave us is an awful Linksys, so I figured I’d buy one (since I have to pay per month for the one we have) and see if it works better. I bought an [airport express](http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/) that works great. The problem is, it doesn’t have a screw-on cable plug (that’s my term for [this](http://hometheater.about.com/od/hometheaterdoityourself/ig/Home-Theater-Connection-Photo-/RF-Coaxial-Cable---Screw-on-.htm)). So I’ve got the cable screwed onto the old wireless router, with an ethernet cable going to the new Airport Express. > > What are my options here? Do I need to buy another router for the screw cable, or is there a simple adapter I can get? The only way to cut the Linksys out of the loop is to buy a cable modem. The signal coming off the coax cable is different from what is sent over the ethernet cable, so it needs to be handled by hardware. A simple adapter won’t do the job. That said, you are probably fine with your current setup, because all you would be doing is trading the Linksys for a similarly sized cable modem. Not worth the money, imo. E: You may want to price it out since I just noticed that you are paying a monthly fee for using the Linksys. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-sort-of-cable-screw-ethernet-adapter-exist/533008/5 "2010-03-20T05:57:25Z")
Check your ISP support website. They should have a list of certified modems like this one at [CableOne](http://help.cableone.net/HSD/Modem/Certified.aspx). Then just go online and check into some product reviews.