Coaxial Cables Attenuation and
Power Rating Chart


Attenuation & Power Rating Coax Chart
Nominal Attenuation & Average Input Power in Watts at Frequencies (Mhz)
dB LOSS per 100 FEET
COAX 30MHz/PWR 50MHz/PWR 150MHz/PWR 220MHz/PWR 450MHz/PWR 900MHz/PWR
9913FX 0.8.....2200 0.9.....1700 1.6.....1000 1.8.....830 2.8.....550 4.2.....380
LMR400UF 0.8.....2100 1.0.....1700 1.7.....1000 2.1.....830 3.1.....550 4.7.....380
LMR400 0.7.....2100 0.9.....1700 1.5.....1000 1.8.....830 2.5.....550 3.9.....380
LMR600 0.421.....3100 0.547.....2400 0.964.....1400 1.18.....1100 1.72.....770 2.5.....530
LMR600DB 0.421.....3100 0.547.....2400 0.964.....1400 1.18.....1100 1.72.....770 2.5.....530
LMR600UF 0.500.....3100 0660.....2400 1.2.....1400 1.4.....1100 2.1.....770 3.0.....530
FSJ150A 0.980.....2280 1.27.....1760 2.23.....1000 2.60.....860 3.93.....567 5.66.....395
FSJ450B 0.561.....5750 .0730.....4420 1.29.....2490 1.51.....2100 2.32.....1380 3.40.....947
LDF250 0.567.....4140 0.736.....3190 1.30.....1810 1.51.....1500 2.30.....1002 3.34.....704
LDF450A 0.369.....6310 0.479....4850 0.845....2750 0.985.....2300 1.51.....1530 2.20.....1005
LDF550A 0.197.....14000 0.257.....10700 0.458.....6004 0.536....5150 0.834.....3320 1.23.....2250
18267
RG213/U
1.2.....1800 1.6.....1300 2.8....620 3.5.....520 5.2.....300 8.0.....200
18214
RG8/U Foam
0.9.....1350 1.2.....975 2.3.....475 2.9.....390 4.7.....225 6.7....150
19258B
RG8x-Mini
2.0.....875 2.5.....500 4.7.....310 6.0.....255 8.6.....150 12.8.....100
LMR240UF 1.5.....980 1.9.....750 3.5.....420 4.3.....340 6.1....240 9.1.....170
LMR240 1.3.....980 1.7.....750 3.0.....420 3.7....340 5.3....240 7.6.....170
18240
RG58/U
 
2.5.....400 3.1.....300 6.2.....160 7.4....115 10.6....80 16.5.....50
18259
RG58A/U
2.6.....350 3.3.....255 6.5.....145 7.9....100 12.2....70 20.8.....40
18268
RG214/U
1.2.....1800 1.6.....1300 2.8.....620 3.5....520 5.2....300 8.0.....200
18261
RG11A/U
3.3.....170 2.8.....72 8.4.....50 15.0....36 24.5....25 31.0.....18
183242
RG142/U
1.1.....9000 2.7.....3500 3.9.....2400 5.6....1600 8.2....1100 12.5.....700
The above data is for general reference information purposes only.


The Importance of Replacing your Coax Cable

The life of a coaxial cable depends on many factors. Some of those factors are ultra-violet exposure, migration, high humidity, age, corrosion, power/heat, and voltage. Here are some important guidelines to remember when you start considering the replacement of your coaxial cable run(s).

  1. Ultra-Violet exposure breaks down the plasticizers of the jacket over time. As a guideline: Type IIa (2a) non-contaminating PVC jackets can last twice as long as type Ia (1a) PVC jacket.
  2. Migration & Corrosion affects the attenuation stability over time by contamination of the dielectric due to jacket plasticizers, and moisture penetration through the jacket.
  3. Power electrical losses result from the generation of heat in the center conductor; braid shield, and the dielectric. The power handling capability of a cable is related to its ability to effectively dissipate this heat. Please be aware that a solid or semi-solid polyethylene dielectric dissipates heat better than a foam polyethylene dielectric, since most of the heat is generated in the center conductor. On balance, the power handling capability of a coaxial cable is inversely proportional to its attenuation, and to its size. This is why RG213/U (CABLE X-PERTS # 18267) handles higher power more efficiently than for example RG58/U (CABLE X-PERTS # 18240). Another factor is the thermal conductive (or heat transfer) properties of the cable, especially within the dielectric. In other words, high ambient temperature, and high altitude could reduce the power rating by impeding the heat transfer out of the cable. High VSWR also reduces the power ratings due to localized HOT SPOTS at poor connector terminations and/or other improper usage.
  4. Operating Voltage is represented by two separate voltage ratings.

            In summation, coaxial cable can perform to it’s maximum designed efficiency an average of seven years to ten years, provided the connectors are appropriately terminated and the cable is installed correctly.  So if your signal is fading or you’re getting erratic VSWR readings, or are unable to get the maximum performance from your transceiver, then its time to consider changing your coaxial cable or cable assemblies.

 


 

Abbreviation Chart

 

CENTER CONDUCTORS TYPES
  BC  Bare Copper
  TC  Tinned Copper
  STRD  Stranded
  SOL  Solid
  SPC  Silver Plated Copper
  CCA  Copper Covered Aluminum
  CCS Copper Covered Steel
  CW  Copperweld (Copper Covered Steel).
  SCCS  Silver Covered Copper Steel.

SHIELD TYPES
  100%F+95  100% Aluminum Bonded Foil
   +95% Tinned Copper Braid
  COR-COP  Corrugated Copper
  95%+BC  Minimum 95% Bare Copper
  2/95%SC  Two 95% Coverage Minimum
   Silver Plated Copper

DIELECTRIC TYPES
  SSPE  Semi-Solid Polyethylene 84% V/P
  CCFP  Closed-Cell Foam Polyethylene 84% V/P
  LDF  Low-Density Foam Polyethylene 88% V/P
  SPE  Solid Polyethylene 66% V/P
  FPE  FoamPolyethylene 78% V/P
  STFE  Solid Teflon 69.4% V/P
  V/P  Velocity of Propagation

JACKET TYPES
  IA  Ultra-Viotlet Resistant PVC
  IIA  UVR-DB Non-Contaminating PVC Direct Burial
  IIIA  Ultra-Violet Resistant Polyethylene
  FEP  Teflon
  TPE  Thermo-Plastic Elastomer
  BLK UVR  Black Ultra-Violet Resistant
  UVR-DB  Ultra-Violet Resistant Direct Burial

 


 

Connector Cross Reference Chart

 

Part #
PL259
SO239
"N" male
"N" female
BNC male
R/A BNC
BNC female
SMA
9913FX 401TS X 6633S RFN-1024-1SI RFB11011SI X X X
LMR400 401TS X 6633S RFN-1024-1SI RFB11011SI X X X
LMR400-UF 401TS X 6633S RFN-1025-1SI FRB11011SI X X X
18267 401TS 17-26B-TGN 6633S RFN-1024-1SI 320 X X X
18214 401TS 17-26B-TGN 6633S RFN-1024-1SI 320 X X X
19258 401TS/403S X 6633S/403S X 385 X X X
LMR240 401TS/403S X 6633S/403S X 385 X X X
LMR240UF 401TS/403S X 6633S/403S X 385 X X X
18240 401TS/402S RFU527 6633S/402S X 381 X RFB1123C1 1557
18259 401TS/402S RFU527 6633S/402S X 381 X RFB1123C1 1557
18268 401TS X 6633S X X X X X
18217 NE5080 X X X X X X X
18216 X X X X 336 X X 1559
183242 401TS/402S RFU527 6633S/402S X 381 RFB1110-1 RFB1123C1 1557
18261 401TS 17-26B-TGN 6633S RFN-1024-1SI 320 X X X
19114 F" #105 X X X X X X X
19114Q F" #127 X X X X X X X
 

 


 

Routing of Cables

Routing of Cables (with or without connectors)
through the exterior wall of a building or home

  1. How many cables do you plan to route through the PVC pipe? Consider future installations too.
  2. Total up their O.D. Do this by adding the total O.D. of the cables, be sure to include the connectors if installed. Divide that amount in half. All of our cable’s O.D are listed in our catalog. Example: Four legs of RG8/U size and two #5971 rotor cables total nominal "O.D. is slightly over 1".
  3. Purchase a piece of PVC pipe long enough to go through the walls. Add about 6" for the exterior & interior sides. The PVC pipe’s ID should be at least two times larger than the total cable’s O.D.
  4. Also purchase a 90° elbow fittings and a rubber "end fitting" boot w/clamp.
  5. Purchase a drill bit a Ľ larger than the PVC pipe’s O.D and long enough to go straight through all layers of the structure.
  6. Now decide on a good location to place the PVC pipe, usually one closest to your equipment is best. Please use caution by making sure you avoid all electrical lines and gas pipes.
  7. Make the drill hole and then push the PVC pipe from the exterior side all the way through the opening.
  8. Once secure, apply a good weatherproofing caulk around the PVC pipe and add support if needed.
  9. Let it set overnight and cap temporarily with the rubber boot.
  10. Make an X cut in the rubber boot. This will create a flap in which to route the cables through, yet keeping the elements out.
  11. From the outside, start by carefully routing the cables through the rubber boot, into the 90° elbow, continue by routing the cables into the PVC pipe all the way through to the other side. (see fig 1-4)
  12. Once finished secure the rubber boot to the 90° elbow and the 90° elbow to the PVC pipe. Caution: Do not cement the elbow to the PVC pipe. For in the future, you may want to add and/or replace some cables. (see fig 1-4)

Note: The 90° elbow forces the cable downward, thus creating a "drain loop."


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