Frequently Asked Questions:

—-------------- Connector questions -------------—
Which Connector Do I need?  or
Male or Female Connectors?   or   Reverse Polarity (RP Connectors)- Plug or Jack?
Connector(s) NOT available for certain cable type(s) ?
   
—--------------- Cable questions ---------------—
What Low-Loss Coax Cables are available?? (- for WiFi/RF/Radio/Microwave/WirelessGPS...) (RG-58/U, Ultra-low-loss LMR-400, etc.)
Which Cable Do I need?? 
What's the Signal Loss?   
Can I see Pictures for Connectors?     Can I see Pictures for Cables? (more photos coming soon)
Q/A about Cable Length Selection during Check-Out

—--------------- References ---------------—
>> Cross Reference 1: Radio/RF Connector Types for WLAN/WiFi devices
>> Cross Reference 2: Cable Assembly Part Numbers for RF/WiFi devices
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Other questions? See Policies or Contact Us

Pricing Details << Click this link, from the table select the cable you want, and proceed to the length you need. Prices are under each length of cable.

Which Cable do I need?   Specs Handling They are not Cheap but we sell them at the Lowest Market Prices!!
>> Cross Reference 2: Cable Assembly Part Numbers for Radio/WLAN devices

Cable Type, Color	Size inches	Loss per 100 ft at 2,500Mhz	Plyability	Recommended Sizes	Use	Cost
LMR 100A series black	Appx  1/8"	39.8 dB	Flexible	3 ft or less	Very Short Runs	Least Expensive
RG-58/U LMR195 black (White is also available)	Appx  1/4"	19.1 dB	Flexible	15 ft or less	Short Runs	Least Expensive
LMR -195 Plenum Rated	Appx 1/4"	18.6 dB	Flexible	16 ft or less	Use in Plenum areas Fire Rated	Expensive
LMR 240 black	Appx 3/8”	12.6 dB	Flexible	25 ft or less	Moderate Runs	Moderatly Expensive
LMR 400 black	Appx ½”	6.6 dB	Stiff	200 ft or less	Long Runs	Moderatly Expensive
LMR 400 Ultra Flex* black	Appx ½”	7.9 dB	Flexible	200 ft or less	Very Flexible Long Runs	Expensive
LMR 600 black	Appx ¾”	1.16 dB	Very Stiff	As long as you need	Very Long Runs	Expensive

*Ultra Flex: See below.
LMR coax sizing is compatible with standardized cable grouping identifiers as follows:

Coax Group vs LMR Size vs RG replacement (Click on links to see cable products)
Coax -	B	C	X	I	L2
LMR or WBC	100	195 or 200 (or 195-Plenum)	240	400 or 400-UltraFlex	600
Replaces	RG-316,RG-174	RG-58, RG-142	RG-8X,8/X	RG-213,RG-214,RG8,9913	LDF 4

Also see LMR cable explanation below.

Male / Female Connectors:
A regular MALE connector has a PIN in the center and threads on the inside (female threading);
A regular FEMALE connector has a female receptacle in the center and threads on the outside (male threading).

A Reverse Polarity (RP) PLUG connector has female threading: threads on the inside, and a female receptacle in the center;
A Reverse Polarity (RP) JACK connector has male threading: threads on the outside, and a pin in the center;
( Please use term PLUG or JACK when referring to RP connectors and not Male / Female - because other industries may call them just the opposite in terms of Male/Female, which can lead to confusion.)
Though female threading, an RP-Plug is usually called a Male connector.
Though male threading, an RP-Jack is usually called a Female connector.

Tell Connector Type by Pictures or >> Cross Reference 1: WLAN Radio RF Connector Types

Adapters - if certain connectors are NOT available for some cable types, please consider using an adapter together with available cable connectors to achieve the connection.
(For example, at this time, FME male/female is not available for LMR 400 series and up; BNC male/female is not available for LMR 100 series. In order to make a 400-series cable with FME male to BNC female, you may need an adapter like "FME male to TNC male" to ADD TO a cable with "TNC female to BNC female". An adapter of "FME male to N-male" with a cable of "N-female to BNC female" will achieve the same effect. Adapters' prices vary. Contact Us for details)

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RG58(/U) / LMR400 Cables:
Our high-quality flexible low-loss RG58 (RG-58/U) cable is equivalent to CommScope® and Altelicon™ 195 series,
- it has a solid copper wire in the center, and both a braid and foil outer conductor for superior shielding, which is BETTER than most standard RG58 RG-58U and WBC195/LMR-195 cables.

Our high quality LMR400 (WBC400, CA-400) equivalent cable -
- This high quality ultra-low-loss 400-series cable has excellent low loss characteristics and a durable UV protected black polyethylene jacket; it features equal performance and mechanical characteristics to similar cables from Times Microwave Systems®, Belden and Andrew® ... See its Signal Loss below. This ultra-low-loss cable is a high performance alternative to RG-8, TMS Times Microwave Systems® LMR-400, Belden® 9914 / 9913 / 7810 and Andrew® CNT-400 coax cable. Custom Cables USA has available fully tested custom cable assemblies featuring this 400-series cable.
(LMR-400 is a replacement for RG-8 RG8 / 9913 Air-Dielectric type cable. It is ideal for jumper assemblies, and short antenna feeder runs. With a 1 inch minimum bend radius, LMR-400 cable can be routed into relatively tough tight spaces without kinking.)
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Styles available: including Plenum rated to comply with stringent building codes, LMR400UltraFlex cable and LMR195 White cable. Order online easily! See more below.

LMR® Flexible Low Loss Cables
LMR® Standard is a UV resistant polyethylene (PE) jacketed cable designed for 20 years service outdoor use. The bending and handling characteristics are significantly better than air dielectric and corrugated hard line cables. Quite important is the fact that this cable uses a PE (Polyethylene) outer jacket which is highly abrasion resistant, as compared to PVC which is not nearly as durable. This product is direct buriable and PE is non-contaminating to its dielectric or to other cables it is bundled with. LMR® Flexible Low Loss Cable e.g. Times LMR-100A, LMR100A, Times LMR-195A, LMR195A, LMR-200, LMR200, LMR-240, LMR240, Times LMR-400, LMR400, 400 UltraFlex (UF) grade, and LMR-600 LMR600, etc.

Our view on different brands**: A few companies make LMR® (or WBC™, CA- etc.) equivalent cables / connectors nowadays; Times Microwave Systems may have the original design, and their cables are of high quality; however, just similar to the question of “generic drugs VS brand name drugs”, if you ask us which brand of cables or connectors to buy, it is our recommendation that ...Read More on Brand comparison.

Coax Group vs LMR Size vs RG replacement (Click on links to see cable products)
Coax -	B	C	X	I	L2
LMR® or WBC™	100	195 or 200 (or 195-Plenum)	240	400 or 400-UltraFlex	600
Replaces	RG-316,RG-174	RG-58, RG-142	RG-8X,8/X	RG-213,RG-214,RG8,9913	LDF 4

You need to use an Ultra Flex cable if you need a very low loss cable like LMR 400, and it needs to flex constantly. See Cable Handling
Plenum cable must be used based upon the electrical code in in your area. To see a diagram explaining what a Plenum area is click the link.   Plenum rated cable is much more expensive than regular cable.

We can make low loss coaxial cables (assemblies) to fit/work with your WLAN/LAN D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, Buffalo, Proxim, Belkin, Cisco, Compaq, Dell, EnGenius, IBM, Intel, Motorola, SMC, 3Com, Apple, Blitzz, Orinoco, ... and various providers' wireless network Access Points, Routers, Wireless Bridges, PCI Cards, Adapters, or PC cards; and even for Radio and GPS use.

All of our RF/Microwave Coax cable assemblies are professionally installed by well-qualified engineers with high-quality specialized crimp tools and crimp and/or solder connectors; Two connectors installed on each cable assembly unless otherwise specified. (Factory crimp tools may each cost over $250; Hand crimp / strip tools are available for sale; RF Connectors / Adapters prices vary).  Bulk Cable pricing.   Back to Top

>> Cross Reference 2: WLAN/Radio/RF Cable Assembly Part Numbers

Signal Loss: (For every 3 dB of loss it cuts the signal in Half)
For 2.4 GHz WiFi applications:
Signal loss for our 10- foot RG-58 cable is about 1.9 db, and 3.8 db with a 20-foot.
Our LMR-400 equivalent cable: effective loss over 20 feet is about 1.3 db, which is trivial.

Which Cable do I need? For cables over 12 ft, may we suggest that you use the LMR-240 OR ultra-low-loss  LMR-400 or LMR 400-UltraFlex (more flexible) to help limit the amount of WiFi signal loss (i.e. obtain more signal strength), if that would be an important factor for your application. (LMR 600 series is also available.)

Data Sheets:
Compare cables side by side; LMR 240 series cable; LMR 400 series cable;

Still Don't know Which Cable to use? >> Let us help you

Products & Quotes>>

From 2 inch to 250+ ft in length -- all at affordable Lowest Market prices!
Email/Phone information: Contact Us

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