On Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:40:26 -0800, Bennett
wrote:

A friend replaced her Comcast TV box with an over-the-air antenna but
continues to use Comcast Internet service. This leaves her
Comcast-supplied splitter with an unterminated socket - does it matter?

Yes, it matters.

Should I bother to terminate it?

Yes, you should terminate it.

(A barrel connector isn't a good replacement for the splitter as the
splitter provides a grounding point.)

Sorta. Apparently she has a 2 way splitter installed with one port
left unterminated. A barrel connector is a very good replacement.
However, you're correct that you'll need to do something about the
grounding point. If this is indoors, just remove the grounding wire,
wrap it around the barrel connector, and hold it in place with a small
hose clamp. For outdoors, use a proper grounding clamp:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=pvgb1&d=perfect-vision-pvgb1-single-grounding-blocks-%28pvgb1%29
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=cable+tv+grounding+block
For outdoors, also don't forget to recreate the coax drip loop so that
water doesn't run into the connector block, or into the house.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/3168531/drip-loop-really-do-you-need-it-wenatchee-and-leavenworth-home-inspection
http://images.meredith.com/diy/images/2009/03/p_SCW_240_02.jpg
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558