| We have put together this page to provide basic
information on coax cable. With this information we hope that you can make
a more informed choice when selecting your coax cables. |
| Coaxial Definition: |
1. (Mathematics) having or being mounted on a
common axis
2. (Geometry of a set of circles) having all the centers on
a straight line
3. (Of a cable or line) Consisting of two concentric
conductors separated by an insulator. |
| What that means in the real world is that coaxial
cable consists of a center conductor, a layer of insulation around it, a
second conductor wrapped entirely around the insulation and a top
insulation layer (figure 1). The center conductor carries the signal and
the outer conductor is used as the shield/ground/signal return path. |
Figure 1 |
| Technically most unbalanced cables and instrument
cables are coaxial cables but for most applications when the term coaxial
cable is use it is referencing a cable that is designed for transmission
of RF data like video or digital audio. These coaxial cables (coax) are
made with very specific properties to properly handle the high frequency
signal. |
| Main properties of coax: |
- Characteristic impedance
- Attenuation
- Bandwidth
- Shielding
|
| Characteristic impedance is probably the
most important aspect of the cable and the hardest to grasp and the full
details are beyond the scope of this page. Even a simple definition is
hard to come by so I'll explain it like this: |
| It is a relationship between the center conductor
and the shield affected by the diameter of the center conductor, the
spacing between conductors, and the type of plastics used and has no
relation with the length of the cable. The most common impedances for coax
are 75ohm and 50 ohm. For proper transmission the full chain must maintain
the proper impedance for example a video signal must start with a 75ohm
output to a 75ohm BNC to a 75ohm coax to a 75ohm BNC into a 75ohm input.
When you have an impedance mismatch it will cause a reflection of signal
power back down the cable, this reflection will mix with the original
signal causing loss and signal error. In a way it can be compared to a
water pipe if the pipe is strait and smooth the water flows great but if
you smash a section of pipe the water does not flow as smoothly.
Generally, you don't need to know a lot about impedance-as long as you
maintain it you will be good. |
| Attenuation simply defines the amount of
loss the cable will have over a distance and is dependent on frequency:
the higher the frequency the more attenuation you will have. This is more
important on long runs, a high-loss cable might be fine for 1ft but that
same cable might lose your entire signal at 200ft. Generally, you want to
pick a cable for the lowest loss possible, but sometime other factors play
into this like size, weight, flexibility, etc. As a general rule, a
thicker gauge will have less loss, stranded center conductor will have
greater loss, and a solid copper core will have less loss than copper clad
steel. |
| Bandwidth defines the maximum frequencies
the cable is specified for at a specific length. Sometimes this
information can be hard to find or they will just give you a maximum
frequency on an attenuation cart. At short lengths cables are very
forgiving, you can probably run 3G HD-SDI (video signal) down about any
cable for a foot or two, but if you want to be certain it will work you
need to pick a cable with the proper bandwidth. As a general rule, a cable
that has a higher bandwidth will have a better shield. |
| Shielding is how the shield is
constructed. Shield options are foil, braid, and wrapped. A common type
for RG6 will be 60% braid - 100% foil, this is a dual shield. You can find
shields in almost any configuration depending on the application. Shields
can be single layer or up to four layers. Foil will shield better at high
frequencies but often makes for a stiffer cable. Braid is commonly paired
with foil; with a single braided shield it is impossible to get 100%
coverage. Wrapped shields in coax are not very common, probably because as
the cable flexes it can open gaps in the shield. Interestingly, the coax
shield in an RF application is used as much to keep the signal in as it is
to keep interference out. |
| The 75ohm coax cable is used for a broad range of
applications, including (typical maximum bandwidth required): |
- SDI (360 MHz)
- HD SDI (1.5 GHz)
- 3G SDI (3 GHz)
- Composite (75 MHz)
- Component (75 MHz)
- Word Clock (192 kHz)
- MADI (AES10) (125 MHz)
- SPDIF (6 MHz)
- AM (30 MHz)
- FM (108 MHz)
- VHF (300 MHz)
- UHF (3 GHz)
- Cable TV (1 GHz)
- More
|
| The 50ohm coax cable is used for many things, but
not as many in our main market. Those applications include: |
- Antennas
- Wireless Mic Antennas
- Wireless Monitor Antennas
- More
|
| Generally, high frequency coax cables are
classified under the "RG" system, for example: RG-6, RG-59, RG-11, RG-58
and many more. This just gives you a starting point now because you can
find many versions of each of these cables. For example, RG-6/U you can
get it in: |
- 18ga copper clad steel with 100% foil/60% Aluminum braid
- 18ga copper with 100% foil/95% Copper braid
- 18ga copper with 100% foil/ 30ga served shield
- 18ga copper clad steel with 100% foil/95% Aluminum braid
|
| And that is just one page of one of my catalogs.
The only consistency there is the 18ga size of the center conductor. |
| Even though there may be a great many flavors of
one specific cable, the "RG" number can get you in the ball park, but
further scrutiny of the specs should be done. |
| At EHS we stock the cables that best serve the
most applications in our market. Here is a list with links to the products
for quick reference. If you have a specific need please let us know and
we'll see how we can help you. |
|
| Horizon RG59.MK |
 |
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Now |
This is Horizon part number RG59.MK. It is
a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible,
durable, and great performance. It will fill your needs for medium-abuse environments.
RG59.MK wire has 24AWG
stranded center conductor with a 95% braided shield and black jacket.
It is a RG-59B/U style cable with 1 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of
12.8 db at 1 GHz for 100ft.
** Now A RapcoHorizon product with same
part numbers.
|
|
| Carol RG-6U |
 |
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This is Carol RG-6U C5775. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is moderately flexible,
durable, great performance. It will fill your needs for low abuse environments, best for studio or installed applications.
RG-6U wire
has 18AWG center conductor and dual shields 100% foil and 60%
braided shield and black jacket. It is a RG-6/U style cable with 3 GHz
bandwidth with an attenuation of 11.79 db at 3 GHz for
100ft.
|
|
Gepco VE61859M |
 |
For special order now
Available on site soon |
This is Gepco part number VE61859M. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible, durable, and offers great performance. It will fill your needs for medium/high abuse environments, best for studio, live, or installed applications.
VE61859M wire has 22AWG stranded center conductor and a 95% braided shield and black jacket. It is a RG-59 style cable with 1 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of 10.64 db at 1 GHz for 100Ft.
|
|
Gepco VHD1100 |
 |
For special order now
Available on site soon |
This is Gepco part number VHD1100. It is a heavy-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is moderately flexible, durable, and offers great performance with very low attenuation. It will fill your needs for medium abuse environments, best for studio or installed applications.
VHD1100 wire has 14AWG solid center conductor and dual shields, 95% braided and 100% foil shields and black jacket. It is a RG-11 HD style cable with 4.5 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of 8.75 db at 4.5 GHz for 100Ft.
|
|
Gepco VHD2000M |
 |
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This is Gepco part number VHD2000M. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible, durable, and offers great performance. It will fill your needs for medium/high abuse environments, best for studio, live, or installed applications.
VHD2000M wire has 21AWG stranded center conductor and dual 95% braided shields and black jacket. It is a RG-59 HD style cable with 3 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of 19.60 db at 3 GHz for 100Ft.
|
|
| Gepco VHD2001M |
 |
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Now |
This is Gepco part number VHD2001M. It is
a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible,
durable, and offers great performance with low attenuation. It will fill
your needs for medium/high abuse environments, best for studio,
live, or installed applications.
VHD2001M wire has 19AWG
stranded center conductor and dual 95% braided shields and black
jacket. It is a RG-6 HD style cable with 3 GHz bandwidth with an
attenuation of 15.63 db at 3 GHz for 100ft.
|
|
| Gepco VSD2001 |
 |
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Now |
This is Gepco part number VSD2001. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is moderately flexible,
durable, and offers great performance with low attenuation. It will fill
your needs for medium abuse environments, best for studio or
installed applications.
VSD2001 wire has 18AWG solid center
conductor and dual shields, 95% braided and 100% foil shields and black
jacket. It is a RG-6 HD style cable with 4.5 GHz bandwidth with an
attenuation of 13.28 db at 4.5 GHz for 100ft.
|
|
Clark CD7506F |
 |
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This is Clark Wire part number CD7506F. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible, durable, and offers great performance with low attenuation. It will fill your needs for medium/high abuse environments, best for studio, live, or installed applications.
CD7506F wire has 19AWG stranded center conductor and dual 90% braided shields and black jacket. It is a RG-6 HD style cable with 4.5 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of 19.8 dB at 4.5 GHz for 100Ft.
|
|
Clark CD7506 |
 |
Shop Now |
This is Clark Wire part number CD7506. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is moderately flexible, durable, and offers great performance with low attenuation. It will fill your needs for medium abuse environments, best for studio or installed applications.
CD7506 wire has 18AWG solid center conductor and dual shields, 95% braided and 100% foil shields and black jacket. It is a RG-6 HD style cable with 4.5 GHz bandwidth with an attenuation of 13.3 dB at 4.5 GHz for 100Ft.
|
|
| Mogami 2964 |
 |
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Now |
This is Mogami part number W2964. It is a medium-weight coax 75 ohm style cable that is very flexible,
durable, and sounds great. It will fill your needs for high-abuse environments.
2964 wire has 24AWG center conductor with
served shield and gloss black jacket. This does not confirm to a standard
RG cable size, Mogami provides specifications to 10 MHz with attenuation
of 1.9 db at 10 MHz for 100ft. According to the Mogami reps it will
support 3G SDI at a maximum of about 100ft but for optimal performance the maximum
is at 50ft.
|
| To simplify the chart some of the values have
been interpreted from known values. |
| Wire |
1 MHz |
10 MHz |
100 MHz |
200 MHz |
500 MHz |
720 MHz |
1000 MHz |
1500 MHz |
2300 MHz |
3000 MHz |
4500 MHz |
Link |
| Horizon RG59 |
0.4 |
1.3 |
4.1 |
5.7 |
9.4 |
11.45 |
12.8 |
|
|
|
|
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Now |
| Carol RG6/U |
0.26 |
.18 |
2.05 |
2.83 |
4.53 |
5.55 |
6.59 |
8.45 |
10.95 |
11.79 |
|
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Now |
| Gepco VE61859M |
0.26 |
0.91 |
2.09 |
4.33 |
7 |
8.85 |
10.64 |
10.5 |
13.22 |
15.63 |
|
|
| Gepco VHD1100 |
0.14 |
0.43 |
1.20 |
1.75 |
2.9 |
3.30 |
3.86 |
4.73 |
5.80 |
6.72 |
8.75 |
|
| Gepco VHD2000M HD |
.25 |
.91 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
8.60 |
10.35 |
13.05 |
16.50 |
19.60 |
|
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| Gepco VHD2001M HD |
0.22 |
0.73 |
2.45 |
3.4 |
5.9 |
7 |
8.28 |
10.5 |
13.22 |
15.63 |
|
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Now |
| Gepco VSD2001 HD |
0.22 |
0.7 |
1.8 |
2.5 |
4.2 |
4.95 |
5.87 |
7.3 |
9.13 |
10.65 |
13.28 |
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Now |
| Clark CD7506 |
.22 |
.7 |
1.9 |
2.5 |
4 |
4.9 |
5.8 |
7.3 |
9.1 |
10.6 |
13.3 |
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| Clark CD7506F |
.22 |
.73 |
2.3 |
3.4 |
6 |
7 |
8.28 |
10.5 |
13.2 |
15.6 |
19.8 |
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Now |
| Mogami 2964 |
N/A |
1.9 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
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Now |
| Wire |
Format |
Shield |
Conductor |
Outside diameter |
Flex life Cycles |
Jacket |
Filler |
DC R /1000ft |
Cap to shield |
| Horizon RG59.MK |
75ohm coax RG-59 |
95% Braided |
24AWG |
.240" |
N/A |
Black Matte |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
| Carol RG-6U |
75ohm coax RG-6 |
Foil and Braid |
18AWG |
N/A |
N/A |
Black |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
| Gepco VE61859M |
75ohm coax RG-59 |
95% Braided |
22AWG |
.242" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
15.3ohm |
16.2pf/ft |
| Gepco VHD1100 |
75ohm coax RG-11 |
Foil and 95% Braid |
14AWG |
.405" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
2.5 ohm |
17pf/ft |
| Gepco VHD2000M |
75ohm coax RG-59 |
2x95% Braided |
21AWG |
.242" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
14.3ohm |
17pf/ft |
| Gepco VHD2001M |
75ohm coax RG-6 |
2x95% Braided |
19AWG |
.275" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
8.5ohm |
17pf/ft |
| Gepco VSD2001 |
75ohm coax RG-6 |
Foil and 95% Braid |
18AWG |
.272" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
6.4ohm |
16.3pf/ft |
| Clark CD7506 |
75ohm coax RG-6 |
Foil and 95% Braid |
18AWG |
.272" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
6.4ohm |
16.3pf/Ft |
| Clark CD7506F |
75ohm coax RG-6 |
2x90% Braided |
19AWG |
.272" |
N/A |
Black |
No |
8.5ohm |
17pf/Ft |
| Mogami 2964 |
75ohm coax |
Dual Served |
24AWG |
.189" |
16000 |
Black Gloss |
No |
27ohm |
65pf/ft |
|
|
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