Thanks for all the responses, starting to understand a little better now. So RS-485 is a spec and does not refer to the types of wires I use to set up the boards at all then? The only confusing part to me (not so project-related in my own case, but...) Re: KE7GKP's comments - it seems like a special type of cable would be require at greater distances. Is this the case? Is the standard RS-485 spec cable usually Cat5?
Thanks for all the help!