The feed line between radio and antenna is part of the antenna system: its loss, impedance and connector choice directly affect the delivered power and the system noise figure. Selecting the right coax is as important as the antenna.
Overview
Understanding rf coaxial cables and assemblies starts with the physics of the band, then moves through pattern, gain, mounting and the practical constraints of a live deployment. Cable loss rises with both frequency and length, so a long run at 5 GHz can dissipate far more power than the same cable at 900 MHz; choosing a lower-loss cable or shortening the run preserves link margin.
Frequency Bands and Spectrum
The bands most relevant to rf coaxial cables and assemblies are listed below. Each band brings different propagation, regulatory and antenna-size implications.
| Band | Range (MHz) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Wideband (700-2700 MHz) | 700-2700 | Multiband / all-cellular |
Recommended Antenna Types
The following antenna classes are best matched to rf coaxial cables and assemblies:
Directional Panel Antenna
Sector / panel antennas delivering focused gain over a defined azimuth, used for base-station sectorization and fixed point-to-multipoint links.
Omnidirectional Fiberglass Antenna
Collinear omnidirectional antennas in a UV-stable fiberglass radome for 360 degree outdoor coverage.
Applications and Use Cases
RF Coaxial Cables and Assemblies support a range of deployments. The most common are:
- Point-to-Point Backhaul
- 4G / 5G Base-Station Coverage
- In-Building DAS
Mounting and Installation
Route coax to avoid sharp bends below the rated radius, weatherproof outdoor connectors, and support long vertical runs to prevent strain on the connectors.
Lightning Protection and Grounding
The coax run is where the surge arrestor is installed, typically at the building entry, bonded to the single-point ground.
Standards and Compliance
Designs and deployments in this area commonly reference:
- 50 ohm RF convention
- RG-58/RG-174/RG-316/LMR-equivalent series
- IEC 61169 connector families
Selection and Comparison
When narrowing down a model for rf coaxial cables and assemblies, weigh these trade-offs:
- Thin flexible vs. low-loss cable
- Frequency-dependent loss
- Connector family selection
Typical gain for this category is n/a, usually terminated in a SMA / N / TNC / BNC connector, though the interface can be customized.
Recommended Antennas from astronwireless.com
The following models from our catalog match the requirements discussed above:
AW-PA1722-V12B65
- Band: 1.7-2.2 GHz
- Gain: 12 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
AW-PA1722-V15B65
- Band: 1.7-2.2 GHz
- Gain: 15 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
AW-PA1722-V18B65
- Band: 1.7-2.2 GHz
- Gain: 18 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
AW-PA7090-V10B120
- Band: 698-960 MHz
- Gain: 10 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
AW-PA7090-V11B90
- Band: 698-960 MHz
- Gain: 11 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
AW-PA7090-V12B65
- Band: 698-960 MHz
- Gain: 12 dBi
- Polarization: Vertical
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