Q: What's the difference between 50Ω and 75Ω coaxial cable — does it really matter?

Yes, it matters significantly. 75Ω cable is the standard for TV aerials, satellite feeds, CCTV, and broadcast video (including SDI) ; 50Ω is used for RF transmitters, Wi-Fi antenna extensions, and amateur radio equipment. Using the wrong impedance causes signal reflections at the mismatch point, which degrade signal quality — you'll see this as picture break-up, reduced range, or data errors. The cables look nearly identical externally, so always check the impedance rating printed on the jacket before buying.

Q: Can I use a standard TV aerial cable for CCTV?

Technically yes for short runs, but it's not ideal. CCTV systems using analogue video typically use 75Ω coaxial cable with BNC connectors , whereas TV aerial cable uses IEC (Belling-Lee) plugs — so you'd need adapters, which introduce additional signal loss and potential failure points. More importantly, CCTV runs are often longer (20–50m+) and may pass through areas with higher EMI from power cables. A purpose-made CCTV coaxial cable with proper BNC terminations, like the Swann SWPRO-30ULCBL, is a cleaner and more reliable solution.

Q: What connector type do I need for a UK TV aerial?

UK TV aerials use the IEC 169-2 (Belling-Lee) connector — the large, round plug with a central pin that you'll find on the back of every UK television and Freeview box. Satellite connections use F-type connectors (the screw-on type). If you're extending a Wi-Fi router antenna, you'll likely need SMA or RP-SMA. Getting the connector type wrong means the cable simply won't fit, so check both ends of your intended connection before ordering.

Question 1

What's the difference between 50Ω and 75Ω coaxial cable — does it really matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it matters significantly. 75Ω cable is the standard for TV aerials, satellite feeds, CCTV, and broadcast video (including SDI); 50Ω is used for RF transmitters, Wi-Fi antenna extensions, and amateur radio equipment. Using the wrong impedance causes signal reflections at the mismatch point, which degrade signal quality — you'll see this as picture break-up, reduced range, or data errors. The cables look nearly identical externally, so always check the impedance rating printed on the jacket before buying.

Question 2

Can I use a standard TV aerial cable for CCTV?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes for short runs, but it's not ideal. CCTV systems using analogue video typically use 75Ω coaxial cable with BNC connectors, whereas TV aerial cable uses IEC (Belling-Lee) plugs — so you'd need adapters, which introduce additional signal loss and potential failure points. More importantly, CCTV runs are often longer (20–50m+) and may pass through areas with higher EMI from power cables. A purpose-made CCTV coaxial cable with proper BNC terminations, like the Swann SWPRO-30ULCBL, is a cleaner and more reliable solution.

Question 3

What connector type do I need for a UK TV aerial?

Accepted Answer

UK TV aerials use the IEC 169-2 (Belling-Lee) connector — the large, round plug with a central pin that you'll find on the back of every UK television and Freeview box. Satellite connections use F-type connectors (the screw-on type). If you're extending a Wi-Fi router antenna, you'll likely need SMA or RP-SMA. Getting the connector type wrong means the cable simply won't fit, so check both ends of your intended connection before ordering.

Question 4

How much signal do I lose over a long coaxial cable run?

Accepted Answer

Signal loss (attenuation) depends on cable quality, frequency, and length — a typical standard coaxial cable loses around 3–5 dB per 100m at 100 MHz, rising sharply at higher frequencies. For a 20m domestic aerial run, this is rarely noticeable. Beyond 30–40m, or at the higher frequencies used by satellite (950–2150 MHz), attenuation becomes significant and you may need a low-loss cable or an in-line amplifier. Always check the cable's attenuation specification at your target frequency, not just at DC.

Question 5

Is expensive coaxial cable worth it — or is it just marketing?

Accepted Answer

For most domestic applications, mid-range cable from brands like Hama, Goobay, or KabelDirekt is more than sufficient — spending more won't produce a visible improvement. The premium pricing of AudioQuest cables, for instance, reflects genuinely better shielding and lower attenuation, but the benefit is only measurable in long runs or professional environments with high EMI. Where you should spend more is on connector quality and outdoor-rated jackets for permanent installations — these directly affect long-term reliability in ways that are easy to verify.

Question 6

What coaxial cable do I need for SDI video in a production environment?

Accepted Answer

SDI (Serial Digital Interface) requires 75Ω coaxial cable with BNC connectors, rated to at least 1.5 Gbps for HD-SDI or 3 Gbps for 3G-SDI. The cable must have low attenuation at high frequencies — look for cables rated to 1.5 GHz or higher. Roland's RCC series (RCC-16-SDI, RCC-50-SDI, RCC-200-SDI) are purpose-built for this and are a reliable choice for broadcast and live production. Avoid using generic aerial cable for SDI runs — the attenuation at SDI frequencies will cause errors and dropouts, especially beyond 10m.

Question 7

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when buying coaxial cable?

Accepted Answer

The three most common errors are: buying the wrong impedance, underestimating the required length, and ignoring the outdoor rating. On impedance: always verify 50Ω vs 75Ω for your application. On length: measure the actual cable route (not straight-line distance) and add 10–15% for routing around obstacles — running short is a frustrating and avoidable problem. On outdoor rating: standard PVC jackets degrade within a few years when exposed to UV and moisture; always specify an outdoor-rated cable for any external run, even if it costs a little more upfront.

Coaxial Cables Price Comparison

Maplin MAVTV004 coaxial cable 5 m F-type Black

Cablenet 3m RG59 Plug-Plug Booted Black Cable

Cablenet 100m VFX2000 Neutrik Plug-Plug HD-SDI Booted Black Cable

Cablenet RG59 75Ohm Solid PVC CPR Eca CCA Braid Coax Cable Black 100m Reel

Cablenet 20m RG59 Plug-Plug Booted Black Cable

Cablenet 5m RG58 Plug-Plug Booted Black Cable

Cablenet 2m RG58 Plug-Plug Booted Black Cable

Cablenet 3m RG179 Plug-Plug Booted LSOH Black LSOH Cable

Cablenet 2m RG179 Plug-Plug Booted LSOH Black LSOH Cable

Roland RCC-3-SDI coaxial cable 1 m BNC Black

Roland RCC-16-SDI coaxial cable 5 m BNC Black

Roland RCC-50-SDI coaxial cable 15 m BNC Black

Hama 00205028 coaxial cable 1.5 m White

Hama 00205037 coaxial cable 1.5 m F White

Hama 00205063 coaxial cable 1.5 m F White

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-20M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-15M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-10M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-3M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-2M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-5M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-1M coaxial cable RG-6 Black

Microconnect BNC-HDSDI-100R coaxial cable

Maplin IPAX15 coaxial cable 0.15 m SMA Grey

Coaxial Cables Price Comparison