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
| Illustration | Group | Description | Max. Freq. | Att. @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.086 Semi-Flex |
0.086" Semi-Flexible coaxial cable is a formable, microwave grade with mode free operation to 61 GHz. The tin-soaked copper braid provides near 100% RF shielding and the malleable nature of the outer jacket eliminates solder joint failures and allows bends immediately behind the fillet. Standard 0 ... |
61 GHz | 0.64 dB/m |
|
0.086 Semi-Rigid |
0.086" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable provides mode free operation to 61 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced. This results in optimum impedance ... |
61 GHz | 0.64 dB/m |
|
0.141 Semi-Flex |
0.141" Semi-Flexible coaxial cable is hand-formable and microwave grade with mode free operation to 34 GHz. The cable's easy forming, excellent shielding, and very low PIM makes it a popular choice for use in component interconnection. The tin-soaked copper braid provides near 100% RF shielding and ... |
34 GHz | 0.39 dB/m |
|
0.141 Semi-Rigid |
0.141" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable provides mode free operation to 34 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced. This results in optimum impedance ... |
34 GHz | 0.38 dB/m |
|
0.250 Semi-Flex |
0.250" Semi-Flexible coaxial cable is a formable, microwave grade with mode free operation to 19 GHz. The tin-soaked copper braid provides near 100% RF shielding and the malleable nature of the outer jacket eliminates solder joint failures and allows bends immediately behind the fillet. Standard 0 ... |
19 GHz | 0.25 dB/m |
|
0.250 Semi-Rigid |
0.250" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable provides mode free operation to 19 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced. This results in optimum impedance ... |
19 GHz | 0.23 dB/m |
|
1/4 Corrugated |
Quarter-Inch (1/4") corrugated coaxial cable is a flexible, light duty jumper cable designed for short interconnections within large antenna systems. Quarter-Inch jumper cables are one of three main cable types used in Distributed Antenna Systems. While designs can vary between manufacturers, quarter ... |
18.6 GHz | 0.20 dB/m |
|
3/8 Corrugated |
3/8-Inch (3/8") corrugated coaxial cable is a medium duty jumper cable designed for short interconnections within large antenna systems. 3/8-Inch jumper cables are one of three main cable types used in Distributed Antenna Systems. While designs can vary between manufacturers, 3/8-inch cables always ... |
13.5 GHz | 0.12 dB/m |
|
1/2 Corrugated |
Half-Inch (1/2") corrugated coaxial cable is a heavy duty feeder cable designed for integration into large antenna systems. Half-Inch feeder cables are one of three main cable types used in passive Distributed Antenna Systems. While designs can vary between manufacturers, half-inch cables always ... |
8.8 GHz | 0.07 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 |
|
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-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 |
|
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 |
|
RG-142 |
RG-142 is a high temperature, double shielded coaxial cable used in interconnections between telecommunications equipment. This cable type is widely used for commercial wireless applications such as avionics, radar, GNSS, and medical systems. Featuring a PTFE dielectric and FEP jacket the cable is ... |
12.4 GHz | 0.42 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 |