CG Series: Low Loss Economical Coaxial Cable
Signal loss in your cable is money lost at the receiver. CG Series low-loss coax preserves signals DC–18 GHz—don't pay for gain you shouldn't need. Five OD options (3.60–8.10 mm) fit a drone wing or a base station, without overpaying for specs you won't use. Rated -55°C to +125°C; optional PUR jacket handles UV and moisture outdoors. 70 dB shielding keeps crosstalk low. RoHS/REACH. Tell us your frequency, length, and environment—we'll match the right cable.
CG Series: Economical Low Loss Coaxial Cable for High-Density RF Interconnects
When designing RF signal chains for communication base stations, test instrumentation racks, or dense cabinet interconnects, balancing transmission performance against project budget is a non-negotiable constraint. The CG Series from AO Microwave delivers a purpose-built economical solution — maintaining genuine low-loss PTFE dielectric performance while stripping away unnecessary cost drivers, so your bill of materials stays lean without compromising signal integrity.
Core Technology Highlights
PTFE Dielectric, Proven Low Loss
Solid PTFE dielectric core with consistent 76% propagation velocity across all models. CG800 delivers just 40.10 dB/100m attenuation at 6 GHz — competitive against far costlier alternatives — ideal for multi-channel base station feeder runs where every decibel counts.
Dual Jacket Strategy: FEP or PUR
Standard models feature FEP jacket rated -55°C to +125°C for thermal resilience. The CG360S variant swaps to PUR — offering superior UV, abrasion, and hydrolysis resistance — giving you environmental hardening without re-engineering your RF chain.
Solid or Stranded — Your Choice
Solid conductors (CG360, CG500, CG800) for permanent installations where phase stability is paramount. Stranded variants (CG360S, CG500S) when facing repeated flexing or vibration — the multi-strand core absorbs mechanical stress before it reaches connector solder joints.
Aluminum Foil + Braid Shielding
Hybrid aluminum foil middle layer with silver-plated copper braid outer shield achieves 70 dB shielding effectiveness — closing single-braid coverage gaps without the cost of double-braided alternatives. Delivers exactly the right shielding at exactly the right price.
CG Series Parameter Table
Which CG Cable Fits Your Project? Start Here.
Instead of scanning every row in the parameter table, answer a few questions below. Each path leads you to the right model.
Where will the cable be installed?
Will the cable be bent or moved regularly?
What matters most — space, loss, or power?
Tightest space → CG360 | Outdoor durability → CG360S (PUR) | Balanced all-rounder → CG500 / CG500S | Longest reach, lowest loss → CG800
Add "S" to any model = stranded conductor, for flexible or vibration-prone applications.
Problems CG Series Solves
Budget vs. Performance Trade-off
CG Series strips unnecessary cost drivers while retaining genuine PTFE low-loss performance — your BOM stays lean without compromising signal integrity. 70 dB shielding is more than adequate for 90%+ of real-world installations.
Field Failures from Flexing
Stranded conductor models (CG360S, CG500S) prevent connector joint fatigue. Multi-strand silver-plated copper core isolates mechanical stress before it reaches solder points — dramatically reducing RMA rates.
Outdoor Degradation
PUR jacket option (CG360S) resists UV, hydrolysis, saltwater, and abrasion. No need to over-spec expensive armored cables — just swap the jacket and keep the same RF performance.
Connector Compatibility Headaches
SMA, 3.5mm, N-type, TNC, BNC, MCX all compatible. We build, test, and ship VNA-verified custom assemblies — one vendor, one spec, zero finger-pointing.
Where CG Cables Are Used
Base Station Jumpers
RRU-to-antenna and intra-cabinet RF routing. CG500/CG800 deliver low loss at typical jumper lengths.
Test & Measurement
VNA, spectrum analyzer, ATE wiring. CG360's 3.60 mm OD fits tight instrument chassis with 76% Vp repeatability.
UAV & Drone Payloads
Telemetry, video, C2 RF feeds. CG360 weighs 29 g/m; CG360S stranded core absorbs airframe vibration.
Defense & Tactical Radios
Man-portable radio to vehicle antenna. CG360S PUR resists fuel, abrasion, and weather.
Indoor DAS & Repeaters
FEP jacket handles building-wide temperature stability. Low loss preserves link budget across distributed antenna systems.
Satellite Ground Equipment
IF and L-band interconnects. 76% Vp ensures phase-matched cable runs for multi-channel downlink arrays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the "S" suffix mean in CG360S and CG500S?
The "S" indicates a stranded (multi-strand) silver-plated copper center conductor instead of a solid single wire. Stranded construction absorbs mechanical flexing and vibration, making S-models the preferred choice when your cable faces repeated routing, chassis bends, or continuous vibration. Electrically, stranded and solid models share identical impedance (50 Ω), Vp (76%), and comparable attenuation.
Q: Why does the CG800 stop at 16 GHz while other models go to 18 GHz?
Larger cable diameters shift the cut-off frequency of higher-order propagation modes lower. The CG800's 6.80 mm dielectric and 2.30 mm conductor bring the TE₁₁ mode onset below 18 GHz. To guarantee clean single-mode TEM operation with stable 50 Ω impedance, we rate CG800 conservatively to 16 GHz. For 18 GHz applications, CG360, CG360S, CG500, or CG500S are the correct choices.
Q: Is 70 dB shielding enough for my application?
For the vast majority — cabinet interconnects, base station jumpers, indoor RF distribution, test equipment wiring — 70 dB is more than adequate. The aluminum foil + silver-plated copper braid provides 100% optical foil coverage backed by a conductive braid. Only in extreme co-location scenarios (high-power transmitters within centimeters) might you need more. If so, our CJ Series offers >90 dB shielding.
Q: FEP or PUR jacket — how do I decide?
FEP (standard on CG360, CG500, CG500S, CG800): widest temperature range -55°C to +125°C, excellent chemical resistance. Best for indoor equipment, lab instrumentation, and extreme temperature environments.
PUR (available on CG360S): superior UV, hydrolysis, saltwater, and abrasion resistance. Operating range -40°C to +85°C. Best for outdoor installations, marine environments, and any scenario with physical wear or direct sunlight.
Q: How do I estimate loss for my specific cable length?
Simply scale linearly. Example: a 3-meter CG500 at 6 GHz → 62.10 dB/100m × 0.03 = 1.86 dB. For frequencies between listed points, linear interpolation works well. Need exact S-parameter data for your specific length and frequency? Tell us your parameters and we'll provide a custom link budget.
Q: Which connectors can I use with CG Series cables?
SMA, 3.5mm, N-type, TNC, BNC, and MCX are all compatible. We offer custom cable assemblies — tell us your connector types, cable model, and length, and we'll build, test, and ship VNA-verified assemblies.
Q: Are CG cables RoHS and REACH compliant for EU import?
Yes. All CG Series cables use RoHS-compliant materials and meet REACH regulations. Our PTFE dielectric, FEP/PUR jackets, and silver-plated copper conductors contain no restricted substances. Compliance documentation available on request.
Tell Us Your Setup — We'll Recommend the Right Cable
Share your operating frequency, cable length, environment (indoor/outdoor), and any flexing or space constraints. Our engineering team will get back to you with a recommendation — no obligation.
Contact Us: sales@aomicrowave.com
