Coaxial Cable and Connector Reference for Hams
Find practical guides and technical data for selecting, assembling, and testing coaxial cables and connectors used in amateur radio setups.
Choosing the right coax cables and connectors is critical for any ham radio station, directly impacting signal quality and power transfer to antennas. Operators need reliable feedlines to minimize loss, especially on VHF/UHF bands and for DX operations where every decibel matters. Proper assembly of connectors ensures a robust, weather-resistant connection, preventing common issues like moisture ingress and impedance mismatches.
This category provides practical guidance on working with common types of coax and connectors. Hams can find detailed instructions for soldering PL-259 connectors, making crimp-on connections for cables like RG-213, and stripping various coax types. There are also resources explaining the characteristics of different coaxial cables, including their power handling capabilities and attenuation, along with calculators to estimate signal loss for specific cable types and frequencies.
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A pdf file with drawings and instruction to properly assembly and solder most popular coax cable connectors -
Anderson Powerpole connectors are becoming the standard for Raynet ARES and RACES groups as well as many Ham radio shacks round the world. This recourses page will give you a guide to Anderson Powerpole connectors in the radio shack. -
Calculate Cable Loss from SWR and reverse. Text file with only two simply formulas -
This question bugged me after trying to exchange the connectors of a 25m long Aircell7 coax cable -
CAT (Computer Aided Tuning) connects computers with ham radio. Yaesu FT-890 intercace and ICOM IC-Q7 schematics by DK7IN -
CAT5 T-568B Colour Code for RJ-45 Plug -
Here is a story of installing field expedient PL259 coax connectors on ordinary Cable TV F11 an Rg11 equivalent -
This small window application will calculate Coax Cable loss from SWR and SWR from Cable Loss -
Coaxial cable loss in db per 100 ft. -
A guide to proper coaxial cable stripping techniques for various cable types, including RG-58 and RG-8, ensuring correct connector installation. -
G4URH - Coax cable types, specifications and data -
A table with Loss in DB/100m , Max power in Watts, Diameter in mm , Velocity factor (VF) expecially in VHF UHF and Microwave -
An overview of coax cable often called coaxial feeder or RF cable, used to feed antennas and deliver radio frequency power from one point to another -
A table summarizing common coax cables features -
This is a concept paper, not a constuction article. There are too many variables to propose a one size fits all design. However, this paper should give you the basic idea how to do it -
Schematic for Data CAT Power and Key cable interface for the Yaesu FT-450 -
Schematic for Data, power, CAT, Key and Mic connection interface cable -
Calculate online, ERP in dB and dBi given PWR Frequency Coax lenght and type and antenna type -
Using Andrew FSJ1-50A 1/4" Superflex Heliax with PL-259 Connectors -
This is a picture of a schematic diagram of a multifunctional interface for Yaesu FT-8x7 Series Transceivers. It will work for Yaesu radios like FT-897 FT-857 FT-817 -
How to make easily your N-type connector, pictures and procedure, step by step -
How to solder PL-259’s compiled by K1VR -
A very beginner's guide to coax cables. Characteristics, detailed comparison of typical coaxial cables, commonly used connectors, and a few words about SWR. -
A better way to install PL-259 connectors on RG-8X type coax by Dan Richardson, K6MHE -
Joe Carr's Radio Tech-Notes Installing Coaxial Connectors -
A method of installing a PL259 coax connector, a complete tutorial on how to solder Amphenol 83-1SP connectors -
Solutions to attach antennas to TH-D7 radio using a SMA to BNC adapter that can be used with any Kenwood hand-held radio shipped with SMA connectors. -
Types of coax-cable with rf attenuator calculator, line loss calculator form includes an antenna gain calculator. This coax loss calculator can help you on choosing the right cable for your antenna sysmte. -
Calculate power loss depending on coax cable you use -
How to make a half l or quarter l coax cable for a specific frequency -
Some notes on double-shielded coaxial cable -
Isolating traceiver and your computer with an opto-coupler component -
Handbook of hardware pinouts, cables schemes and connectors layouts -
From TenTec Inc a video that illustrate a PL-259 installation on a RG8X coax cable -
Radio-TNC wiring diagrams index -
An interesting rf coaxial switch project capable of handling 800-1500 W. This is a cheap home made RF coaxial switch in use by PA0FRI -
WA1MBA article on RF connectors for microwave -
RG-174/U article on usage by AA5TB -
An illustrated and complete guide to soldering PL-256 coax plugs -
There's no longer any need to invent new swear words -
One another useful Table for the HAM's practice. -
Definition and samples of Twin Lead Cables at wikipedia -
Coax is a very important part of a satellite station. It is almost as important as the antennas you choose. This article discusses choosing coaxial cables for satellite communication, emphasizing factors like line loss. It compares types such as RG-8, RG-58, Belden 9913/9913F, LMR-400, and hardline, highlighting their impact on signal preservation. -
Notes on using RG-174 Coaxial Cable at Medium and Lower HF Frequencies by John Bryant and Bill Bowers -
Yaesu FT-100 Data (CAT) MiniDIN 8-Pin Connector -
CO2KK exposes some myths about using 75-ohm feedline with 50-ohm rigs and show how to build a cotanget transformer -
Coax cable nomenclature, the RG Family, line loss explained, importance of shieding on coax cables, velocity factor explained, and differences among stranded vs solid wire -
How to build and secure Anderson Power Pole Connectors properly -
A useful and simple project to convert an unneeded car power cable to an Anderson PowerPole adapter. -
How to properly solder a CB Coax Cable to Connector -
Provides detailed attenuation charts for various coaxial cables (RG-58, LMR-400, etc.) across HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies, specifying loss in dB per -
Tables comparing attenuation of common coax cables on amateur radio bands -
A page with several coax cable characteristics comparison. Includes RG-316 RG-174 RG-58/U RG-59 RG-213/UBX RG-213 FOAM AIRCOM plus AIRCELL 7 ECOFLEX 10 ECOFLEX 15 H-155 -
Learn to calculate the characteristic impedance (Z) of unknown coaxial cable using a simple formula based on inductance (L) and capacitance (C) -
RF Feedline (Coax and Ladder-Line) Loss and ERP Calculators made with Javascript. This complex feddline loss calculator has already several line types paramenters for most common coaxial cables from Belden, Time LMR, Wireman and other common products. Result will give Matches loss, SWR loss, dB and Watts power loss. -
Two tables comparing several coax cables on attenuation and power ratings -
A large table wit properties of popular coaxial cables -
Online coax cable impedance calculator -
In this post, we describe how to make a pigtail cable to connect the Kenwood TH-F6A triband HT to a 12Vdc power source via an Anderson PowerPole connector. -
But it is only a couple of dB, The Effect Of Insertion Loss On Transmitted Power (dB to percentual loss) Original Information Provided by Neil McKie WA6KLA -
An technical page on coaxial cables that describes what coax cables are, how do coax cables works, what are RG cables and difference with several coax cable types, what they are used for, connector types and cable sizes -
How to install a BNC connector on a coaxial cable like the ELSPEC1030AF / HPF195RG and 58C/U cables -
In this wikihow article you can learn how to assemble a RG-6 cable with a SMA connector or a RG-59 with a BNC Connector -
Here is an old ham radio operators trick for cleaning wires for soldering that are old and corroded. It is hard to find this technique printed anywhere! -
How much better is an N over SO-239 at VHF/UHF, a discussion topic at eham -
Installation of Female N-Type Connector on 1-5/8 RFS Cellflex Cable -
Tables for keyboardsm, montiros, mouse for PC, SUN, MAC, USB,mini usb, DVI, FireWire, RS232, Digital Flat Panel and EVC configurations -
Adapting PL-259 Coax Connectors to CATV Hard Line Coax Cable -
A test and comparison of real attenuation of N-type connectors and PL-259 connectors on UHF bands, domonstrating that connectors are almost equivalent. -
Limiting static surges on dipoles, verticals or end fed antennas -
Anderson PowerPole 15/30 Amp Connector -
The PL259/SO239 (aka UHF) connectors have harsh critics and religious defenders. Questionable measurement techniques complicate matters. -
Build a SPDT coaxial relay that can be used as a main Transmit/Receive relay or an A-B switch to select between two different 6m antennas -
Null Modem cable with loop back handshaking -
An overview about the UHF connectors often referred to as the PL259 plug and SO239 socket used for many RF applications. Limitations, history and soldering properly UHF Connectors -
A deep analysis of UHF connectors performance tests, including return Loss of UHF Connectors, Mismatch Loss of UHF Connectors, SWR of UHF Connectors -
A technical article that want to explain Coaxial Cable terms, specifications and applications. A glossary of technical terms with clear explanations. -
A guide on integrating 75-ohm CATV hardline coaxial cable into 50-ohm amateur radio systems, covering impedance matching techniques. -
Undertanding the velocity factor in coax cable feed lines. Meaning of the veolcity factor index related to the RF speed of a signal inside the coax cable.