RF Cable Groups

This document has been composed to provide a industry reference for the major coaxial cable groups and their nominal specifications. Cable grouping is important to ensure compatibility across different manufacturers. Rather than introduce a brand new cable type with unique dimensions, RF cable manufacturers typically produce their cable to align with a well known cable group. This ensures connectors from one company can be used on another company's cable.

This can sound confusing, so to help illustrate the point consider the following example. Powertec produce coaxial cables such as our PTL-240, which sits alongside others including CommScope CNT-240, Telegärtner G30, Times Microwave LMR-240, and many others, who all manufacture an "L-240" group cable.

Cable Groups by Attenuation (dB/m)

Cable Groups by Max. Frequency

Explore RF Cable Groups

Group	Description	Max. Freq. Sort ascending	Att. @ 1 GHz
RG-8	RG-8 is a type of RF coaxial cable commonly used in VHF/UHF applications such as ham radio or CB radio installations. It is characterised by its large diameter, good shielding and power handling, and low signal loss over distance, making it ideal for long-range transmissions. However, its size can ...	6 GHz	0.20 dB/m
1.37 mm Mini-Coax	Micro-coaxial cables measuring 1.37mm (outer diameter) are typically utilised internally within RF devices. These include but are not limited to, cellular and GPS modules, and WLAN devices. Due to their small size, these cables are also suitable for use in miniature electronic devices such as ...	6 GHz	1.60 dB/m
1.13 mm Mini-Coax	Microcoaxial cables with a diameter of 1.13mm are typically found inside high-frequency RF devices. These applications can be found in various industries, including telecommunications, aerospace, medical, and automotive. The compact size and flexibility of these cables make them ideal for use in ...	6 GHz	2.30 dB/m
7/8 Corrugated	7/8-Inch (7/8") corrugated coaxial cable is a heavy duty feeder cable designed for lengthy runs within large antenna systems. 7/8-Inch jumper cables are commonly found within Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), along with older UHF and cellular base stations. While designs can vary between ...	5.2 GHz	0.04 dB/m
RG-316	RG-316 is a simple, low cost coaxial cable that can support high temperature operation. With a 2.50 mm outer diameter, RG-316 established itself as a higher performance replacement for RG-174. It is highly valued for its flexibility and resistance to heat, making it suitable for environments with ...	3 GHz	0.85 dB/m
RG-178	RG-178 is a type of RF coaxial cable that is commonly used in telecommunications and radio frequency transmission requiring a high operating temperature. This cable is characterised by its small diameter and flexibility, making it suitable for applications where space is limited. However, due to its ...	3 GHz	1.49 dB/m
1-5/8 Corrugated	1-5/8-Inch (1-5/8") corrugated coaxial cable is a heavy duty feeder cable designed for large horizontal or vertical runs within major antenna systems. 1-5/8-Inch feeder cables, such as the popular CommScope AVA7-50 pictured, are commonly found within Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), along with ...	2.7 GHz	0.02 dB/m
RG-213	RG-213 is a type of RF coaxial cable commonly used in VHF/UHF radio communications and broadcasting. It is characterised by its robust construction, with a thick polyethylene dielectric and a dense braided copper shield, providing excellent protection against physical damage and electromagnetic ...	2 GHz	0.23 dB/m
RG-174	RG-174 (often written RG174) is a simple, low cost coaxial cable, with a 2.79 mm outer diameter and maximum operating frequency of 1 to 2 GHz depending on manufacturer variation. The cable was popular during early advancement of modern wireless communications, and still remains useable for simple RF ...	2 GHz	0.97 dB/m
RG-58	RG-58 is a low cost coaxial cable designed for simple, low-power UHF-band applications. The cable's upper frequency limit of around 1 to 2 GHz makes it largely unsuitable for wireless technologies outside of traditional VHF and UHF communcations. The cable is characterised by its flexibility and ...	1.8 GHz	0.50 dB/m