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RF Wireless Cables
Choosing a cable for your antenna is straightforward. We offer three types of high-quality cable (shown below in bold). We strongly recommend best practice as follows:
- Use ONLY waterproof cable.
- Do NOT use 'lossy' cable (RG58, RG174) unless you want to lose some signal, perhaps to meet maximum radiation of 20 dBm as EC regulations require.
- ALWAYS use heat shrink and self-amalgamating tape over all connectors to seal cables from water ingress. 99% of antenna problems are because water has got into the antenna cables.
- Keep antenna cables as SHORT as possible. 5 metres of type 195 loses 3 dB, i.e. 50% of the signal. Use Power Over Ethernet to get the radio very close to the antenna and use a short antenna cable if possible
| Cable type | Connector types | Waterproof | Loss per metre | Diameter | Fragile | Price | |
| 2.4GHz | 5.8GHz | ||||||
| RG 174 (not suitable for wireless use) |
MCX, MMCX, Lucent | Yes | 2.5 dB | Unknown | 3 mm | Yes | Very Cheap |
| RG 58 (not suitable for wireless use) |
SMA, BNC, TNC (and reverse versions) |
Yes | 1.5 dB | Unknown | 5 mm | Yes | Cheap |
| Type 195 | SMA, BNC, TNC (and reverse versions) |
Yes | 0.62 dB | 0.98 dB | 5 mm | Strong and Flexible | Inexpensive |
| RG213 | N | Yes | 0.5 dB | Unknown | 11 mm | Strong | More Expensive |
| Type 400 | N, SMA, TNC | Yes | 0.22 dB | 0.35 dB | 11 mm | Strong | More Expensive |
| Type 600 | N | Yes | 0.14 dB | 2.38 dB | 15 mm | Very Strong | More Expensive |
| Type 600 Leaky Feeder |
N | Yes | Designed to leak evenly | 15 mm | Very Strong | Replaces Antenna | |