RF Coax cable data and specifications
- an overview along with a table of specifications and data for the more
commonly available types of RF coax cable, i.e. RF cable.
There is a variety of different types of coax or coaxial
cable that are in widespread use. Different types of coax cable or feeder are
needed for different purposes and applications and accordingly it is necessary
have specifications and data to be able to determine the required type or RF
cable easily.
While it would be possible to manufacture an infinite variety
of RF cables, standard varieties are specified. There are two basic systems that
are used for defining RF cables. One originated in the United Kingdom and its
type numbers all start with UR. The other system is American with type numbers
commencing with the letters RG.
The RG series was originally used to specify the types of
coax cables for military use, and the specification took the form RG (RG from
Radio Guide) plus two numbers. In some instances these numbers were followed by
the letter U which indicated it was for multiple uses. These types of coax cable
were all listed in the MIL-HDBK-216 which is now obsolete. Although full MIL
specifications are now officially used for specifying most components for
military use, the RG series of RF cables continued to be used because of its
widespread acceptance. However it should be noted that the RG specifications are
no longer maintained so there is no complete guarantee to the exact
specification for the particular type of coax cable.
A summary of data for some of the more commonly used types of
coax or coaxial cable is given below. Most of these RF cables are easily
available from RF cable stockists.:
| Type |
Characteristic
impedance |
Outside
diameter |
Velocity
factor |
Atten
@ 100 MHz |
Atten
@ 1000 MHz |
Comments |
| RG5/U |
52.5
|
8.4
|
0.66
|
1.0
|
3.8
|
|
| RG6A/U |
75
|
8.4
|
0.66
|
1.0
|
3.7
|
|
| RG9/U |
51.0
|
10.7
|
0.66
|
0.66
|
2.4
|
|
| RG10A/U |
50
|
12.1
|
0.66
|
0.66
|
2.6
|
|
| RG11A/U |
75
|
10.3
|
0.66
|
0.76
|
2.6
|
|
| RG12A/U |
75
|
12.1
|
0.66
|
0.76
|
2.6
|
|
| RG20A/U |
50
|
30.4
|
0.66
|
0.22
|
1.2
|
|
| RG22 |
95
|
10.7
|
|
0.75
|
1.5
|
|
| RG23 |
125
|
24.0
|
|
0.52
|
2.0
|
|
| RG24 |
125
|
25.5
|
|
0.52
|
2.0
|
|
| RG34 |
75
|
16.0
|
|
0.46
|
1.8
|
|
| RG58C/U |
50
|
5.0
|
0.66
|
1.8
|
7.6
|
|
| RG59B/U |
75
|
6.1
|
0.66
|
1.2
|
4.6
|
|
| RG62A/U |
93
|
6.1
|
0.84
|
0.9
|
2.8
|
|
| RG63 |
125
|
10.3
|
|
0.6
|
2.1
|
|
| RG79 |
125
|
12.1
|
|
0.6
|
2.1
|
|
| RG108 |
78
|
6.0
|
|
1.1
|
3.8
|
|
| RG111 |
95
|
12.1
|
|
0.75
|
2.6
|
|
| RG114 |
185
|
10.3
|
|
1.1
|
3.8
|
|
| RG119 |
50
|
11.8
|
|
0.5
|
1.8
|
|
| RG120 |
50
|
13.3
|
|
0.5
|
1.8
|
|
| RG122 |
50
|
4.1
|
|
1.7
|
5.5
|
|
| RG213/U |
50
|
10.3
|
0.66
|
0.62
|
2.6
|
Polythene dielectric
|
| RG214/U |
50
|
10.8
|
0.66
|
0.76
|
2.9
|
Double screened, silver
plated copper wire |
| RG223/U |
50
|
5.5
|
0.66
|
1.58
|
5.4
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| UR43 |
50
|
5
|
0.66
|
1.3
|
4.46
|
|
| UR57 |
75
|
10.2
|
0.66
|
0.63
|
2.3
|
Similar to RG11A/U
|
| UR67 |
50
|
10.3
|
0.66
|
0.66
|
2.52
|
Similar to RG213/U
|
| UR74 |
51
|
22.1
|
0.66
|
0.33
|
1.4
|
|
| UR76 |
51
|
5
|
0.66
|
1.7
|
7.3
|
Similar to RG58C/U
|
| UR77 |
75
|
22.1
|
0.66
|
0.33
|
1.4
|
|
| UR79 |
50
|
21.7
|
0.96
|
0.17
|
0.6
|
|
| UR90 |
75
|
6.1
|
0.66
|
1.2
|
4.1
|
Similar to RG59B/U
|
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Data for attenuation figures are typical figures and measured
in dB / 10 metres dimensions in mm
The RF cables described above are all flexible types. For
microwave applications where very low loss is needed, semi rigid coaxial RF
cable using a solid copper outer sheath may be used. This type of coax offers
superior screening compared to RF cables with a braided outer conductor,
especially at microwave frequencies. As the name implies, though, it is not
particularly flexible and is not intended to be flexed after it has been formed
to the required shape.
This RF cable data has been presented as a guide and no
liability can be taken for any errors or mistakes in the data. Naturally every
care has been taken to ensure the data concerning these RF cables is correct.
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