Technical Foundation
What Is a Coaxial Cable?
Coaxial cable carries a signal through a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric insulator, a metallic shield, and an outer jacket, with the shield geometry keeping the electric and magnetic fields confined between conductors — this rejects external electromagnetic interference far better than an unshielded twisted pair, which is why coax remains the standard for video, CCTV, and RF antenna runs. Impedance (75-ohm for video/CATV, 50-ohm for RF/two-way radio) must match the equipment on both ends, since a mismatch causes signal reflection and loss.
RG designation (RG6, RG59, RG58, etc.) is a legacy military spec that's become shorthand for a bundle of conductor gauge, dielectric type, and shielding — RG6 has a thicker center conductor and lower attenuation than RG59, making it the modern standard for longer CATV and satellite runs, while RG59 remains common for short CCTV baseband video runs. Shield type (single braid, dual shield foil+braid, quad shield foil+braid+foil+braid) trades cost for interference rejection, with quad-shield specified in electrically noisy environments or long outdoor runs.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| RG Type | RG6, RG59, RG58, RG8/LMR-type | Sets conductor gauge and attenuation — RG6 outperforms RG59 on longer runs |
| Impedance | 75-ohm (video/CATV) or 50-ohm (RF/two-way) | Must match source and load equipment; mismatch causes signal reflection and loss |
| Shielding | Single braid, dual shield, quad shield | More shield layers reject more EMI/RFI — important in electrically noisy environments |
| Jacket Rating | Indoor (CM/CMR), plenum (CMP), direct burial | Plenum jacket required in air handling spaces; direct burial needs a flooded, moisture-resistant core |
| Attenuation | dB loss per 100 ft at a given frequency | Determines maximum practical run length before signal amplification is needed |
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Applications
Where Coaxial Cables Get Used
Coaxial cable is specified anywhere a shielded, impedance-matched signal path is needed for video, RF, or broadband transmission.
CCTV & Security Systems
RG59 and RG6 coax used for analog camera video runs and, with siamese cable, combined power and video.
Cable & Satellite TV Distribution
RG6 quad-shield coax specified for CATV drops and satellite dish feedlines resisting interference.
Two-Way Radio & Antenna Systems
50-ohm low-loss coax (RG58, RG8, LMR-type) used as feedline between radios and rooftop or tower antennas.
Broadcast & Studio Facilities
Precision 75-ohm coax used for SDI video and RF distribution within broadcast plants.
Utility & Industrial Instrumentation
Coax used for RF signal runs in SCADA, telemetry, and remote monitoring installations.
Outdoor & Direct Burial Installations
Flooded-core direct burial coax run underground between buildings or to outbuilding equipment.
FAQ
Coaxial Cables Questions, Answered
What's the difference between RG6 and RG59 coaxial cable?
RG6 has a thicker center conductor and generally lower attenuation than RG59, making it the better choice for longer runs and higher-frequency signals like modern CATV, satellite, and broadband. RG59 has a thinner conductor and higher loss at higher frequencies, but remains common and cost-effective for short analog CCTV baseband video runs where the added performance of RG6 isn't needed.
Why does coax impedance (50-ohm vs. 75-ohm) matter?
Impedance describes how the cable's geometry resists signal flow, and it must match the impedance of the source and load equipment on both ends of the run. A mismatch causes part of the signal to reflect back toward the source instead of reaching the destination, degrading picture quality or RF performance — 75-ohm is standard for video/CATV, 50-ohm for RF/two-way radio, and the two are not interchangeable despite looking similar.
When do I need quad-shield instead of standard single or dual shield coax?
Quad shield (foil-braid-foil-braid) is specified in electrically noisy environments — near motors, fluorescent lighting, or other RF interference sources — and for long outdoor runs where interference rejection matters more. Standard indoor CATV or short CCTV runs in a low-interference environment are typically fine with single or dual shield cable at lower cost.
Can I bury coaxial cable directly in the ground?
Only cable explicitly rated for direct burial, which has a flooded (gel-filled) core and a jacket designed to resist moisture ingress and soil chemicals over years underground. Standard indoor-rated coax will absorb moisture through the jacket over time if buried directly, degrading signal performance and eventually failing.
How far can I run coax before I need a signal booster or amplifier?
It depends on the RG type, frequency, and acceptable signal loss — as a rough guide, RG6 can typically run 100-150 ft on a CATV signal with minimal loss, longer runs may need an amplifier, and higher frequency signals (like satellite) tolerate less cable loss than standard cable TV frequencies. Check the cable's dB attenuation-per-100-ft spec at your specific signal frequency rather than assuming a fixed distance.
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