Coax Applications

Coax Cable is available through Radioware in several 50 & 75 ohm types. Recommended coax types for several are provided in the paragraphs that follow. An Insertion Loss chart is also available for coax comparisions

HF (Amateur/CB/SWL/Commercial-low power)

Use either the lightweight RG-8X, otherwise referred to as Mini-8, or RG-58 for low to medium power (< 500W) below 30 MHz. Of these two, we recommend the lower loss RG-8X for most applications. However, for mobile applications (where the cable can be squeezed in doors, windows, etc.) use RG-58 Coax. RG-174 is ideal for very short runs, internal to equipment, or very low power portable & QRP radios.

HF (Amateur/CB/Commercial-medium power)

For higher power (500W-2KW), or long HF cable runs we recommend RG-213, a premium, Mil-quality equivalent to RG-8. RG-8 shield braid coverage runs from fair to poor (depending upon cable vendor), whereas RG-213 is very consistant with a high coverage. Other valid choices, particularly on long runs, are lower loss RF-9913 or RF-9914F Bury-Flex(Tm) cables. Use the RF-9914F for direct burial applications. Do not bury RF-9913. RG-11 is ideal for 75 ohm phasing cables for antenna arrays.

VHF/UHF (Amateur/Commercial)

For VHF/UHF applications above 30 MHz we recommend using either the premium RF-9913, a better than Belden 9913 equivalent, or the new RF-9914F Bury -Flex(Tm) cables. For direct burial or applications wherein the cable will be flexing (such as: around an antenna rotator) select the RF-9914F cable. RF-9913 cable is hollow and like a soda straw will collapse with continuous flexing and increase your VSWR. Also, RF-9913 is susceptable to water problems. If moisture gets into the 9913's hollow core, cable VSWR will increase, so make sure that the cable is kept in a dry environment until used, installed on a dry day, and all connections, splices, etc. be well sealed from moisture. RF-9913 cable will perform well if the cable is properly installed and connections sealed. The RF-9914F's design is very moisture resistant, with a foam filled core, stranded center conductor, buriable jacket, and a mylar moisture barrier tape under the shield. RG-11 is ideal for phasing cables for antenna stacking to increase overall gain.

Scanners (VHF/UHF)

For Scanner (receive-only) applications, we recommend using our low-loss RG-6U as a minimum. For even better signal reception, use either RF-9913 or RF-9914F loss loss cables. You can even use RG-11, but the RG-6 and RF-9914F/RF9913 cables are better choices for most scanner applications. Don't use RG-8U, RG-58, RG-59, RG-213, or even inexpensive 75 ohm "Shack" TV cable as they will perform poorly. As you can see from the table below, at the higher frequencies cable losses can be significant so use quality low-loss cables and keep the cable length to the antenna as short as possible.