This document has been composed to provide a industry reference for the major coaxial cable groups and their nominal specifications. Cable grouping is important to ensure compatibility across different manufacturers. Rather than introduce a brand new cable type with unique dimensions, RF cable manufacturers typically produce their cable to align with a well known cable group. This ensures connectors from one company can be used on another company's cable.
This can sound confusing, so to help illustrate the point consider the following example. Powertec produce coaxial cables such as our PTL-240, which sits alongside others including CommScope CNT-240, Telegärtner G30, Times Microwave LMR-240, and many others, who all manufacture an "L-240" group cable.
Cable Groups by Attenuation (dB/m)
Cable Groups by Max. Frequency
Explore RF Cable Groups
| Illustration | Group | Description | Max. Freq. | Att. @ 1 GHz Sort descending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.063 Semi-Rigid |
0.063" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable is a MIL-DTL-17 qualified series providing mode free operation to 85 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced ... |
85 GHz | 0.80 dB/m |
|
RG-316 |
RG-316 is a simple, low cost coaxial cable that can support high temperature operation. With a 2.50 mm outer diameter, RG-316 established itself as a higher performance replacement for RG-174. It is highly valued for its flexibility and resistance to heat, making it suitable for environments with ... |
3 GHz | 0.85 dB/m |
|
RG-174 |
RG-174 (often written RG174) is a simple, low cost coaxial cable, with a 2.79 mm outer diameter and maximum operating frequency of 1 to 2 GHz depending on manufacturer variation. The cable was popular during early advancement of modern wireless communications, and still remains useable for simple RF ... |
2 GHz | 0.97 dB/m |
|
0.047 Semi-Flex |
0.047" Semi-Flexible coaxial cable is a formable, microwave grade with mode free operation to 109 GHz. The tin-soaked copper braid provides near 100% RF shielding and the malleable nature of the outer jacket eliminates solder joint failures and allows bends immediately behind the fillet. Standard 0 ... |
109 GHz | 1.12 dB/m |
|
0.047 Semi-Rigid |
0.047" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable is a MIL-DTL-17 qualified series providing mode free operation to 109 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced ... |
109 GHz | 1.13 dB/m |
|
RG-178 |
RG-178 is a type of RF coaxial cable that is commonly used in telecommunications and radio frequency transmission requiring a high operating temperature. This cable is characterised by its small diameter and flexibility, making it suitable for applications where space is limited. However, due to its ... |
3 GHz | 1.49 dB/m |
|
0.034 Semi-Rigid |
0.034" Semi-Rigid coaxial cable is a MIL-DTL-17 qualified series providing mode free operation to 155 GHz. The sold tin-plated copper tube effectively provides 100% RF shielding with shielding effectiveness exceeding 110 dB, and enables the dielectric and center conductor to remain precisely spaced ... |
155 GHz | 1.59 dB/m |
|
1.37 mm Mini-Coax |
Micro-coaxial cables measuring 1.37mm (outer diameter) are typically utilised internally within RF devices. These include but are not limited to, cellular and GPS modules, and WLAN devices. Due to their small size, these cables are also suitable for use in miniature electronic devices such as ... |
6 GHz | 1.60 dB/m |
|
1.13 mm Mini-Coax |
Microcoaxial cables with a diameter of 1.13mm are typically found inside high-frequency RF devices. These applications can be found in various industries, including telecommunications, aerospace, medical, and automotive. The compact size and flexibility of these cables make them ideal for use in ... |
6 GHz | 2.30 dB/m |
|
0.81 mm Mini-Coax |
0.81 mm mini-coaxial cable is typically found inside devices that require high-frequency transmission up to 6 GHz, such as in cellular modems and GNSS transceivers. It is also used in medical equipment and military installations due to its compact size and reliable performance. The cable is most ... |
6 GHz | 2.65 dB/m |