Choosing Ham Radio Coax Cables

I'll discuss the five most common coax cables that are used with Ham radios. Watch this entire video to help you decide with cable is appropriate for your radio needs.

[@K4SRF]

Pick the correct cable for your radio needs. It doesn't pay to buy and expensive rig and link it with your antenna with cheap coax.

[@YaxisX]

Nice video. Got the information that I needed and you did it in about 8 minuts and that beats just about everybody else by a longshot.

[@jasonbrown467]

its all greek to me, but i am slowly learning thanks to people like you, thanks

[@jasonwhite7569]

Loved the video. There was no long story. It was just the facts I was looking for. Thank you.

[@ge1773]

Very well done! Concise and informative with valid reasoning. Just what I was hoping to find.

[@K4SRF]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gooberminther3tik25]

Very well presented subject matter. Nothing superfluous, just the facts. Thanks.

[@K4SRF]

Much appreciated!

[@omw9965]

Thanks Dave, appreciate the time and effort to help those of us who are not familiar with cable type, since my cables are not longer than 6 feet, I use a good tri-shielded RG6 75 ohm for receiving and does the job. If anyone has any advice can reply it, thanks again.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nicely done. Good sound advice.

[@craigo9101]

Thanks for your vid. I am new to hamm and find it overwhelming. I want to do this only once so your insightr has helped me greatly.

[@K4SRF]

Glad to help

[@adelarsen9776]

This is accurate and good advice.

[@fishwhisperer101]

It was very helpful to actually hear a recommendation and the reasoning behind it. I am new to ham and trying to get antennas up for my HF as well as 2M/440. I have to go with 100 ft of cable and am using an Off Center Fed Dipole for HF and a TRAM vertical for VHF/UHF. I currently have RG8x going to my HF and look like now I will run LMR-400 to the TRAM for VHF/UHF. After that I guess I'll replace the RG8x with RG213. Thank you. W8FSH

[@K4SRF]

You will have less loss with the LMR 400, but be advised, you will be dealing with coax on steroids. It is not as flexible as RG8x and harder to work with. My recommendation is to wait until a nice warm day to work with it outside. Let it sit in the Sun for a while to "limber" up a little.

[@twomilesuphill]

thank you for the video. The ink is still wet on my license but videos such as this help me understand more!

[@K4SRF]

Great to hear!

[@happyjack880]

Ordered, and just received, LMR-400 for my amateur radio base unit to use with Ed Fong antenna. Lookin forward to trying it out.

[@happyjack880]

@GoldenAmmo in my opinion it's the absolute best. Not cheap though.

[@Chrisgturner]

Hey, Steve, New ham here you answered my question, thanks. 73 KQ4QDG

[@sloMoses]

Thank you very much for creating and posting this video. It is a big help in understanding the differences between and limitations of various types of cable. 73. KM4URZ

[@kleetus88]

thanks for this video, very good information. I tend to really pay attention to what connects my antenna to my radio, it is all a unit of operation, only as strong as your weakest link.

[@K4SRF]

How true. I have seen people spend hundreds on an antenna only to use the least expensive coax possible and then blame their results on the antenna.

[@mikekoehler7098]

Rg-213 is the best bang for the buck for the average amateur home station. The 213 is also rated for direct buried service regardless of brand.

[@K4SRF]

Direct bury is one of the most favorable options as you don't have the added expense, (though small) of running conduit.

[@SteveH-TN]

Appreciate you talking on this topic and sharing this video 73 Steve AA4SH

[@johnnorth9355]

Thanks - I use RG58 for my CB's but have just purchased some 213 for HF work (newly qualified ham).

[@K4SRF]

Good choice!

[@crecimientoinfinito1436]

Hello my friend, excellent and thanks, from Colombia.

[@K4SRF]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LarryButler-kp3se]

I used RG-17/U to keep the rig from melting the little RG-8A/U.

[@kennethperegory8680]

So, there is no reason no to use lmr-400 for a mobile installation? It's overkill, but if it's worth killing its worth over killing?

[@docpearson]

I really wish you had some close-up pictures of each of the cables next to each other to show the diameter

[@K4SRF]

You have given me an idea for a future video. Thanks!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

LMR-400 is the correct answer, IMO, for *any* outdoor cable runs, HF to VHF. 73 de WB4DW

[@jimfischer4703]

Thank you.

[@JOHN_COSMO]

LMR 400 for the ham base station thank you

[@Fox250R]

Hello! I am running a Stryker 955 with a 6foot skip shoot antenna on 27mhz in my Silverado. Would you recommend 18 feet or 9 of rg8x or LMR 240? Thank you!

[@K4SRF]

I would probably go with RG58.

[@leightonlewis4954]

Why the Thumbs Down, This is very good advice ❤😃

[@K4SRF]

😊 thanks

[@alexdiamantopoulos7919]

Hi I have a home mace vhf uhf satellite ant. What’s thr best coax to use rg8 x or rg58..??

[@K4SRF]

I personally chose LMR 400 due to its lower loss on the 2 meter and 70 cm frequencies.

[@chuckmcdermott7053]

if I use LMR-400 for the long run to the antenna, does it matter what type of coax I use for the jumpers between the transceiver and tuner. Is it ok to use RG-8x, or is there some importance in keeping it all the same?

[@K4SRF]

You can try RG-8x, the loss won't be that great, but I would recommend LMR-400 Ultra Flex if at all possible. It's not as easy to work with, but depending on the length of the jumper run, it might be worth it.

[@mikekoehler7098]

For jumper cable as K4SRF started 8x inside is fine. You won't have a long enough run to effect you. If you run an amplifier that goes to a tuner use rg 8 or 213 for a jumper from amplifier to tuner. 8x will really only handle about 500-600 watts pep before it starts to heat up. No need to spend money on expressive cable for short jumpers in shack. Just fyi I have melted the dialectic in 8x at 1k output on extended data transmission. Fun times

[@Lee784447]

Hello Stephen, I am KB0WZHand I go by Lee, good to meet you. I’m going to mainly use UHF/VHF with a max of 50 watts. And HF at 50 watts in the mobile. My problem is using proper diameter coax isn’t good for tight bends from inside to outside. I was thinking of RG174A, just about a foot then run 15 foot up to the front. Is this a good idea or should I do something else?

[@K4SRF]

You say mobile. Are you installing in a vehicle or using the mobile as a base station? If mobile, RG58 should be fine, but inside, I would stick with at least R8X.

[@greggould4275]

One question - I am planning on running RG213 Coax from a CB base station to a solarcon a99 antenna out back, through a buried conduit for much of the way. . for at least PART of the conduit that I will run RG213 COAX through, I will also have a flat Cat 6 flat ethernet cable running - this Cat6 will act as a connection for the surveillance camera system's feeds from the backhouse to a surveillance box I will have in the house. Do you think there will be any sort of 'static interference' if I run both cables in the same conduit piping? Should I run them in two separate conduits as a way to avoid any potential static interference? r will it fe ok if I ran both in one conduit?

[@K4SRF]

As long as none of the cables are damaged, you shouldn't have any issues at all.

[@michaelpowers7744]

I’m doing a cb base station at house with a 60 foot run to my antenna. Would I need the rg 213 or the 400? Or is it ok to go with the cheaper rg 8 since it’s low 27 MHz. The more I look into feedlines the more I get confused

[@K4SRF]

I would probably go with RG8X for a CB base station.

[@Prariedog]

I ran rg8x for 11 meter. Is it fine to use it for 10 meter with a run of 50 ft ? Thx cheers

[@timbacchus]

Need to know how much power each cable will handle on HF and higher.

[@K4SRF]

Just as a guide: RG-8X (50 ohm) is about 0.24 inch. Suitable for medium power (~350 watts), HF and Lo-VHF. RG-8 and RG-213 (50 ohm) is about 0.405 inch. Suitable for higher power (~1800 watts) at HF. LMR-400 are popular “low-loss” RG-8 types. They are suitable for VHF (~1.5dB loss per 100 feet at 146 MHz.) I would strongly suggest before buying any coax, check the specifications with the manufacturer's website. Here is another great reference. Take a look at the Times Microwave website calculator. Here is the URL: timesmicrowave.com/calculator

[@kafaerialnofilter2532]

Any advice? If i need to replace my rg58 8240 with my tyt th-7800 base radio, i think i got a wrong cable. Any advice? What the correct cable for me, im here in the philippines. Thanks

[@K4SRF]

With UHF/VHF I recommend LMR 400, (which is a very stiff and ridged cable,) and RG-213 for HF.

[@kafaerialnofilter2532]

Hi

[@louiefonseca2601]

I have a CB radio ranger rci99 n4 what's the best coax cable should I use thanks i run 18 ft cable.thanks

[@K4SRF]

Personal preference. I would probably use RG213.

[@cwcarso]

thanks

[@K4SRF]

No problem

[@tfaber9394]

great info. km4vgo, 73.

[@123biker6]

Good day, I use RG59 coaxial cable for my radio. Do you think its ok?

[@K4SRF]

No. That cable is designed for lower bandwidth nd lower frequency applications such as analog video and CCTV. I recommend LMR 400 for UHF/VHF and at least RG 213 for HF.

[@123biker6]

How about the GR6 coax? Its fit for ham radio?

[@murphybrown32216]

Where is the best place to buy a 25 ft run of lmr-400 with water tight ends

[@K4SRF]

There are many places to purchase this cable, but here in the States I get mine from DX Engineering.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

@@K4SRF DXE has good prices as long as you don't use their custom cable option. Needing a custom length is darned expensive. 8 feet of RG-213 or LMR400 is more expensive than 50 feet of the same cables. It would be cheaper for my needs to buy 25 feet of each AND connectors AND a soldering station than it would be to buy three 8 foot sections of 213 and two of LMR400.

[@Prariedog]

Can i use rg8x for 50 ft run for 10 meter? Thx 🎉

[@K4SRF]

RG8X shouldn't be an issue at 75'. At 100' and more you'll see loss issues.

[@txpatriot7044]

What about 50ohm vs 75?

[@K4SRF]

I would stick with the industry standard of 50 ohm.

[@TheJh8473]

I bought 40 feet of RG8x for my HF radio

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks for the information, very useful... until the LMR 400 turns up as an item in my bank balance! LOL

[@ELVISRN1]

just like skiing............you must pick a hobby that fits the wallet

[@terryp12345]

Heads up for anybody listening, he recorded it in stereo, but his voice only happens in the left speaker. I had one earphone in and missed the first part before I realized what was going on

[@herauthon]

it's a coax !!!

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Nice antenna farm

[@K4SRF]

Thanks!

[@forgetyourlife]

why rg-213 over lmr-400? They kinda seem the same.

[@noneyabusiness969]

rg-213 has a multi-strand 13awg center conductor, and lmr-400 is a 13awg solid conductor. Also, the 213 is a tad more lossy at uhf and above 440MHz.

[@forgetyourlife]

noneya business right, unless it’s ultra flex lmr 400 (braided center) then it would seem nearly the same.

[@K4SRF]

Agree with what Noneya Business said. I have never used the ultra flex that Forget_Your_Life mentioned, so can't speak about it.

[@bass779]

Holy cow, a chart would have been amazing. Most humans are visual learners

[@K4SRF]

You're right. I'll probably do this next time.

[@michaelhinchey]

What if you are a republican? How do you research? Qanon hasn't spoken on this issue. 😆

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

It's been a full year, and somehow this joke seems dumber than it did the day you posted it...

[@germanjohn5626]

None of them are good, they are acceptable as jumpers but thats it.

[@K4SRF]

So, what cable do you use then, please tell us.