A coaxial cable, commonly called a “coax” cable, is a specialized cable used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals from an outdoor or indoor TV antenna to your TV with minimal loss and interference. Choosing the right coax cable is crucial for enabling your HDTV antenna to reliably receive over-the-air broadcast signals. But with different types of coax cables on the market, how do you pick the best one?
The most important factors to evaluate are:
- RG rating – This refers to the cable’s thickness and capacity. RG-6 is the standard for HDTV as it offers the best balance of affordability, flexibility and signal transmission capability.
- Shielding – More shielding layers protect against interference but increase cost. Quad-shielded RG-6 cables provide strong protection for most home setups.
- Impedance – Matching impedance ratings between the cable, antenna and TV input is vital. 75-ohm impedance is standard.
- Connectors – High-quality gold-plated F-type connectors minimize signal loss.
- Length – Longer cable runs increase signal degradation. 25-50 ft cables suit most indoor antenna setups.
Taking these technical factors into account, some top-rated coax cables for HDTV antennas are:
- Mediabridge Ultra Series – This RG-6 quad-shielded cable has gold-plated connectors and thick 29AWG center conductor for minimal signal loss.
- Antennas Direct C2-CJM – Specifically made for HDTV antennas, this RG-6 cable has quad shielding and weatherproof connectors to resist signal degradation.
- GE 33492 RG6 – With quality F-type connectors and RG6 rating, this GE coax cable is ideal for indoor HDTV antenna connections.
The key is choosing a coaxial cable with the right specifications to match your antenna and TV setup. Prioritizing quality materials like quad shielding and gold-plated connectors helps maintain peak signal levels so you can enjoy reliable reception of all available over-the-air HDTV programming.
