Coax Cable - What You Need to Know
Often overlooked, the coax cable within a TV system is just as important as each of the other components. Not all coax cable is the same. This page will explain the different types of coax cable and explain which coax cable is the most preferred to use within your TV system. There are three different types of coax cable often used. They are RG-6, RG-11, and RG-59. The major differences include how much shielding the cable contains, size of the center conductor, and the material type of the center conductor. The best coax cable to use, within an over-the-air TV system, is a RG-6 Quad Sheild with a solid copper center conductor for cable lengths less than 100 feet. For coax cable lengths longer than 100 feet, the RG-11 Quad Shield with solid copper center conductor is the best coax to use.
RG-59 coax cable is the smallest, thinnest, and the cheapest cable when compared to RG-6 and RG-11. The RG-59 cable contains only one, thin layer of shielding. The copper-clad conductor is NOT solid copper. Instead, the center conductor is made of copper-clad. Copper-clad is a much cheaper and less effective material than solid copper. A thin layer of copper is around the outer edge of the cheaper material. This is one reason why RG-59 causes a significant amount of signal loss within a TV system. A good coax cable will contain a solid copper center conductor. This is one reason why RG-59 cable should not be used within a TV system. Secondly, RG-59 normally contains only one small layer of shielding. This is not enough shielding to keep away interference from the sun, weather, and near by electronic devices. With all of the signal loss and the high susceptibility of adding interference, the RG-59 coax cable is NOT recommended for use within an over-the-air TV system.
RG-6 coax cable normally includes a solid copper center conductor. The RG-6 coax cable normally includes either a dual layer shielding or a quad layer shielding. If you are running a coax cable with a length less than 100 feet, the RG-6 quad-shield is the preferred cable that should be used within your TV system.
RG-11 coax cable is the most expensive among the three cable types. The RG-11 coax cable normally includes a solid copper center conductor. The RG-11 coax cable normally includes either triple layer shielding or quad layer shielding. If you are running a coax cable with a length more than 100 feet, the RG-11 quad-shield is the preferred cable that should be used within your TV system.
TV Antenna Warning - There are some TV antennas, on the market, that include a coax cable. The coax cable is permanently attached in some of these antennas. These coax cables are almost always a cheap, RG-59 coax cable. The TV Antennas, that include a permanently attached coax cable should be avoided. Using a good RG6 or RG11 cable for your entire TV system is the only recommended coax cables to use.
| Coax Cable Specifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristic | RG6 | RG11 | RG59 | |
| Center Conductor Size: | 18 AWG | 14 AWG | 22 AWG | |
| Center Material: | Solid Copper | Solid Copper | Copper Clad | |
| Maximum Distance: | 100 ft. | 400 ft. | ---- | |
| Diameter: | 0.275 in. | 0.405 in. | 0.242 in. | |
| Shielding: | Two-Layer & Quad-Layer | Three-Layer & Quad-Layer | One Thin Layer | |
| * Signal Loss: | 6 dB/100 ft. | 2.5 dB/100 ft. | 10.9 dB / 100 ft. | |
| Impedance: | 75 ohms | 75 ohms | 75 ohms | |
| Flexibility: | More Flexible | Less Flexible | Very Flexible | |
| Bandwidth: | 1 Ghz | 3 Ghz | ---- | |
* - Calculated at 539 Mhz. This is directly in the middle of the UHF band (470 Mhz.-608 Mhz.)