In Part 6 of our series on Choosing the Right Coaxial Cable, we present our first 75-ohm type—RG-6/U Quad-Shield Coaxial Cable available in two tough and flexible options that reduce loss and deliver added protection against electromagnetic interference:
- DXE-RG6UFQ is DX Engineering’s top-of-the-line direct-bury waterproof quad-shield cable protected by a Type-III polyethylene jacket with flooding compound. It is “self-healing,” meaning it’s made from special materials that give it the ability to self-repair nicks, cuts, and abrasions.
- DX Engineering’s standard RG-6/U cable, DXE-RG6UQ, features a Type-II PVC jacket.
Specs:
- Gas-injected polyethylene foam dielectric for flexibility and moisture resistance
- Extremely durable copper-clad steel 18 AWG center conductor
- Two foil shields plus two high-density aluminum braids for ultimate four-layer RF shielding
- Rugged PVC UV-protected black exterior jacket
- Attenuation per 100 feet: 5 MHz, 0.6 dB; 30 MHz, 1.1 dB; 55 MHz, 1.6 dB
- RoHS compliant
- 83% velocity factor
- Minimum bend radius of 2.50″
What are the advantages of “flooded” coaxial cable?
Flooded cables, like DX Engineering’s DXE-RG6UFQ, are made to withstand the compression of being buried. The addition of a flooding compound provides another layer of protection against water migration along the braid in case the jacket is breached.
What does RoHS compliant mean?
RoHS stands for Restriction on Hazardous Substances—a strict standard established by the European Union requiring electronics manufacturers to ensure that their products meet usage levels for ten restricted substances: cadmium, lead, hexavalent chromium, mercury, Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). For many more details on RoHS compliance, visit RoHSguide.com.
RG-6/U Uses:
- Active or passive HF amateur radio receive antenna systems
- Magnetic loop antennas
- Beverage antennas
- SWL and ham radio receive arrays
- Over-the-air TV reception
- FM broadcast reception
- CATV systems
- Raw video distribution and satellite radio installations like Sirius/XM
Connectors:
DX Engineering EX6XL Type-F Universal Compression Connectors make an excellent choice for RG-6 and RG-6/U assemblies. These heavy-duty, metal-body/black plastic connectors work on all RG-6U coaxial cables and are direct replacements for all previous blue and purple F-connectors. They are easily installed with common F-connector compression tools such as the DX Engineering RG6 Type-F Compression Connector Tool (DXE-SNS-CT1). For cable prep, choose the DX Engineering Coax Cable Stripper for RG-6 and RG-59 (DXE-CPT-659).
Availability: RG-6/U 75-ohm Quad Shield Coaxial Cable is available as assemblies in 3, 6, 12, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 foot lengths with high-quality weather-sealed, nickel-plated compression male F-connectors. All cable assemblies are hi-pot tested and heat-shrink weather-sealed for the ultimate in service longevity. You can also purchase it in 1,000 foot spools or fully customized by using DX Engineering’s Custom Cable Builder.
What do hams say about DX Engineering’s RG/6U coax?
Five Stars: “Needed this to help with my loop installation. Fits the bill at a good price.”
Five Stars: “Used these RG6 cables to install a lightning arrestor for my magnetic loop antenna. They pass 20V dc to the antenna and send the RF signals from the antenna to my FT-990.”
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or prefer your coaxial cable ready to install right out of the package, DX Engineering offers three solutions to accommodate your preference:
- Premade cable assemblies in a variety of types and lengths (3 feet to 200 feet), with DX Engineering’s patented crimp/solder 8U or 8X PL-259 connectors installed on both ends or BNC male ends in some cases
- By the foot and by the roll up to 1,000 feet
- Made to spec (type of cable, connectors on both ends, length) using the online DX Engineering Custom Cable Builder at DXEngineering.com
Not sure what coaxial cable is right for your station? Looking for tips on maintaining and preparing your cables? Check out these OnAllBands articles:
- Coaxial Cable Guide: Understanding the Differences Among Types of Coaxial Cable
- How to Use DX Engineering’s Custom Cable Builder
- DX Engineering Doubles the Number of Options for Ordering Custom Cable Assemblies Online
- Tips for Tidying Up Cables
- The Right Tools Can Take the Pain Out of Prepping Coaxial Cables
You’ll find coaxial cable; connectors; cable prep tools and kits; cable ties, loops, and wraps; and more at DXEngineering.com.
