How to find the right Coaxial Cables AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Coaxial Cables
- Impedance
- Use 75 ohm (RG-6, RG-59, RG-11) for TV, satellite, cable modem and SDI video, and 50 ohm (RG-58, RG-8, RG-213, LMR-series) for radio transmitters, Wi-Fi and cellular antennas An impedance mismatch causes reflections and signal loss, and the connectors also differ.
- Loss vs run length
- On long or high-frequency runs, step up to larger, low-loss cable such as RG-11 instead of RG-6, or LMR-400 instead of RG-58 Attenuation rises with frequency and length, and thin coax loses a large share of the signal over long antenna runs.
- Shielding
- Use at least dual shield (foil plus braid), and tri- or quad-shield near strong RF or electrical noise Better shielding reduces ingress and leakage, which matters for cable internet and dense RF environments.
- Center conductor
- Copper-clad steel is standard and acceptable for RG-6 TV and satellite, but choose solid copper where DC power or low DC resistance matters, such as long runs that power an LNB or amplifier Copper-clad steel carries RF well through skin effect but has much higher DC resistance than solid copper.
- Connector match
- Buy compression connectors specified for the exact cable type and shield count, for example RG-6 quad versus RG-6 dual Quad-shield cable has a larger diameter, so a connector made for dual shield will not seat or seal properly.
- Jacket and rating
- Use UV-rated or flooded/direct-burial cable outdoors and CMR or CMP rating inside walls where code requires Standard PVC jackets crack in sun, and water wicking into the braid ruins the cable.
Brands that matter
- Times Microwave Systems: LMR low-loss 50-ohm cable widely used for antenna runs.
- Belden: Broadcast and SDI video coax as well as RG-6 for CATV.
- CommScope: Major RG-6 and RG-11 CATV cable supplier.
- Perfect Vision: RG-6 coax common in satellite and residential installs.
- Southwire: Residential RG-6 with in-wall ratings.
What to avoid
- Unbranded coax that does not state impedance or shield construction
- RG-59 for modern satellite or cable internet runs, where RG-6 is the minimum
- Crimp-on or twist-on F connectors for permanent installs; use compression connectors instead
- Thin RG-58 or RG-174 for long transmitter or antenna feedlines
Questions
Can I use 75-ohm TV coax for a ham radio or Wi-Fi antenna?
Not as a general rule, because the gear expects 50 ohm and the mismatch adds loss and SWR problems. Use 50-ohm cable with matching connectors.
Is RG-6 the same everywhere?
No. Shield count, center conductor material and sweep-tested frequency range all vary, so check them against your service, especially for satellite.