Coaxial Cable

(UP)

Summary

Types:

LMR-600 - excellent, low loss, stiff and expensive ($1000/50m!). Best for 50–100 m if you absolutely need the signal.
LMR-400 - good for up to ~50 m. ($225/50m) Pushing it at 100 m unless signal is strong. Still manageable to work with.
LMR-300 – middle ground between LMR-240 and LMR-400. Slightly more flexible, higher loss than LMR-400. Not ideal for long runs.
3D-FB - a Chinese standard cable, similar to RG58 but slightly lower loss. Better than RG58, but still too lossy for 50+ m in weak signal situations.
RG 58. Ok for shorter runs (⇐15m). Least expensive ($120/50m) I made the mistake of buying 50m…didn't work.
RG213 – older, thick 50 Ω coax similar in size to LMR-400 but with higher loss. Can be used in some radio systems but not preferred for cellular. 7D-FB / 5D-FB / 10D-FB – similar to 3D-FB but thicker. Often seen in Japan/China-made systems. Some variants of 7D-FB are close to LMR-400 in performance, but quality varies.

So…go for LMR 400 for 50m.

As for connectors:

Common Connector Types * N-type (N):

50 Ω, threaded, weather-resistant
Standard for LMR-400/600, cellular boosters, outdoor antennas
Preferred for long runs and outdoor use — low loss, reliable connection
Comes as N-Male / N-Female

* 2. SMA:

50 Ω, small screw-on connector
Found on internal components, modems, routers, sometimes boosters
Used for short runs, small devices, test gear
Comes as SMA-M / SMA-F
Note: Not waterproof

3. BNC:

50 or 75 Ω, twist-lock bayonet connector
Common in radio, CCTV, lab/test equipment, not ideal for cellular
Avoid for booster setups — too lossy, wrong impedance
Often confused with SMA

4. F-type:

75 Ω, threaded
Used in TV, satellite, and older internet gear
Not for 50 Ω cellular systems — impedance mismatch

5. TNC:

Threaded version of BNC, 50 Ω
Sometimes used in military or RF lab gear
Rare for consumer cell gear

Why so many? * Different applications (TV, radio, telecom, lab gear) * Different sizes (small SMA vs large N-type) * Different impedance (50 Ω vs 75 Ω) * Waterproofing needs (N-type is; SMA is not) * Frequency/power rating (N-type handles more power, BNC less)

For cell booster/antenna: * Stick to 50 Ω connectors only * Prefer N-type for outdoor/long cable * Avoid BNC, F-type, or 75 Ω gear