ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) reception is crucial for aircraft tracking and monitoring. To ensure optimal performance, selecting the right coaxial cable is essential. In this article, we’ll explore various types of coaxial cables commonly used for ADS-B reception, sorted by their approximate signal loss per 50 feet (15 meters) at 1090 MHz.
- LMR-600: Superior Performance with Low Signal Loss LMR-600 is a heavy-duty coaxial cable designed for long cable runs and applications that demand very low signal loss. With an approximate signal loss of 0.4 dB per 50 feet, LMR-600 offers exceptional performance and ensures robust ADS-B reception.
- Belden 9913: High-Quality Cable with Low Signal Loss Belden 9913 is a high-performance coaxial cable known for its low signal loss and excellent shielding properties. With an approximate signal loss of 0.5 dB per 50 feet, Belden 9913 is a reliable choice for professional and commercial ADS-B installations.
- LMR-400 and Times Microwave LMR-400 UltraFlex: Balancing Performance and Flexibility LMR-400 and LMR-400 UltraFlex are both coaxial cables renowned for their excellent shielding and low signal loss characteristics. With an approximate signal loss of 0.6 dB per 50 feet, they strike a balance between performance and flexibility, making them suitable for various ADS-B setups.
- Ecoflex 10: Low-Loss, Low-Noise Cable Ecoflex 10 is a specialized coaxial cable designed for high-frequency applications, offering low signal loss and minimal noise interference. With an approximate signal loss of 0.4 dB per 50 feet, Ecoflex 10 ensures reliable and high-quality ADS-B reception even over longer cable runs.
- RG-213: Trusted Performance with Moderate Signal Loss RG-213 is a reliable coaxial cable widely used for ADS-B reception. With an approximate signal loss of 0.8 dB per 50 feet, it strikes a good balance between performance and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for various ADS-B installations.
- LMR-240: Balanced Performance for Short to Medium Cable Runs LMR-240 is a flexible coaxial cable that offers good shielding and moderate signal loss. With an approximate signal loss of 0.9 dB per 50 feet, LMR-240 is ideal for shorter to medium cable runs where a combination of performance and flexibility is required.
- RG-6: Cost-Effective Solution with Reasonable Signal Loss RG-6 is a commonly available coaxial cable suitable for ADS-B reception. With an approximate signal loss of 1.5 dB per 50 feet, RG-6 offers a cost-effective solution for shorter cable runs or setups with budget constraints.
- RG-8X: Compact Design with Moderate Signal Loss RG-8X is a compact coaxial cable that strikes a balance between flexibility and signal loss. With an approximate signal loss of 1.2 dB per 50 feet, RG-8X is suitable for shorter to medium cable runs where a balance of performance and size is desired.
- RG-11: Thicker Cable for Lower Signal Loss RG-11 is a thicker coaxial cable commonly used for longer cable runs or situations that require lower signal loss. With an approximate signal loss of 1 dB per 50 feet, RG-11 ensures improved performance compared to thinner cables.
- RG-58: Thin and Flexible Option with Higher Signal Loss RG-58 is a thin and flexible coaxial cable suitable for shorter cable runs or applications where flexibility is crucial
