The insertion loss of an antenna cable is the amount by which it attenuates a Radio Frequency signal. It is expressed in decibels (dB).
To calculate the cable loss enter:
- Cable Type
- Length of Cable
- Frequency of Operation
Background
The material with which a cable is built determines the amount by which it attenuates a signal. LMR cables for instance come in different types – from LMR 195 to LMR 900. LMR 900 is the best quality (a higher value of numerical suffix indicates better quality)
The length of the coaxial cable affects signal strength. The longer the cable, the greater the loss. For this reason, it is important to choose a cable that is long enough for your needs but not too long. The calculator can be used to calculate the max length.
As the frequency of operation increases, the attenuation increases as well.
Use the cable loss in the Antenna Range Calculator.
If you would like to see a specific cable type added to this list, please let us know.