Why the right coaxial cable matters
Selecting the correct coaxial cable affects signal integrity, installation time and long-term reliability. Whether you are a student building an RF lab rig, a maker wiring a LoRa gateway, a technician installing CCTV, or a procurement team specifying cables for multiple sites, getting the impedance, loss and connector system right up front saves hours and reduces rework. Communica stocks common types and accessories locally so you can check stock levels and collect from Samrand or our Cape Town and Pretoria branches.
Typical coax types and where they work
Common coaxial cables used in South African projects include RG-174, RG-58, RG-6 and low-loss LMR variants. Each has different applications: small-diameter flexible leads for prototyping, thicker low-loss runs for long-distance CCTV or RF links, and foam-dielectric types for rooftop feeds. Choosing by application instead of brand reduces compatibility issues during installation.
Quick spec comparison
Use this compact table to match cable family to typical use-cases and rough attenuation performance.
| Type | Characteristic Impedance | Common Use | Approx. Attenuation (100 MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RG-174 | 50 Ohm | Prototyping, short jumper leads | High |
| RG-58 | 50 Ohm | RF bench, short patch leads | Moderate |
| RG-6 | 75 Ohm | TV/Satellite, CCTV with video kits | Low |
| LMR-195 / LMR-400 | 50 Ohm | Low-loss antenna feeds, long runs | Low to Very Low |
Specification callouts to check
- Impedance (50 vs 75 ohm) - match to device or connector system.
- Velocity factor - important for timing/length critical RF work.
- Attenuation per metre at the frequencies you will use.
- Shielding level (dB) - affects noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.
- Connector type and mounting style - BNC, SMA, N-type, F-type, or crimp versions.
If you want to browse specific cable families and connector kits, see our collections for a quick overview on the shop by category page collections, or view our full product index for detailed specs product index. Planning to collect or check real-time stock? See our branches and trading hours branches and trading hours.
