How to Wire Satellite & TV Coaxial Cable: 75 Ω RG6/U4 vs U6 and F-Connectors
EN 50117 75 Ω coaxial cable comparison (CCS RG6/U-4 vs solid-copper RG6/U-6 and RG11), exact F-connector stripping dimensions, and LNB short-circuit troubleshooting.
In DVB-S2 satellite, multiswitch SMATV, and DVB-T2 terrestrial TV networks, signal margin depends on maintaining a continuous 75 Ω characteristic impedance (EN 50117), choosing solid copper (`RG6/U-6`) over copper-clad steel (`RG6/U-4`) for DC LNB powering, and terminating F-connectors without braid-to-center whiskers.
> Related Category: Browse 75 Ω cables and RF terminations in Satellite & TV Broadcast Cables, CCTV Camera Cables, and RJ45, F, and BNC Connectors.
RG6/U-4 vs RG6/U-6 vs RG11 vs RG59
Satellite coax carries 13 V / 18 V DC + 22 kHz tone upward to the LNB while returning 950–2150 MHz IF carriers downward:
| Coax Type | Center Conductor | Shielding | ~2150 MHz Attenuation | Typical Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG6/U-4 | Copper-clad steel (CCS, ~1.02 mm) | Al foil + Al braid | ~31–33 dB / 100 m | ≤20–25 m short indoor drops |
| RG6/U-6 | Solid electrolytic copper (~1.02 mm) | Foil + tinned copper braid | ~27–29 dB / 100 m | 25–60 m dish-to-receiver & SMATV drops |
| RG11/U-6 | Solid copper (~1.63 mm) | High-coverage dual/quad shield | ~18–20 dB / 100 m | 60–120 m+ trunk risers |
| RG59 (1+2 / 1+4 CCTV) | Thin/stranded copper | Copper shield + power cores | High IF loss | Analog HD CCTV camera runs |
On long runs, CCS `RG6/U-4` causes excessive DC voltage drop so 18 V horizontal polarization drops toward the 13 V vertical threshold, causing missing transponders. Outdoors, specify UV-resistant black PE-jacketed coax.
Step-by-step F-connector stripping and termination
- Strip outer jacket (12–14 mm): Score and remove the outer sheath cleanly without nicking the braid wires.
- Fold braid back: Comb all outer braid strands backward over the jacket.
- Expose solid copper pin (6–8 mm): Trim the foam PE dielectric and bonded foil 6–8 mm from the tip without scratching the copper surface.
- Inspect for stray braid whiskers: Even one hair-thin braid wire touching the center pin triggers *"LNB Short / Overload"* on the receiver.
- Seat the F-connector: Thread or compress until the white foam dielectric sits flush with the internal post, leaving 1–2 mm of center pin protruding past the nut face. Never twist-and-tape coax splices; always join two F-connectors with a 75 Ω female-to-female F-barrel coupler.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell RG6/U-4 apart from solid-copper RG6/U-6?
Touch a magnet to a clipped piece of the center pin: copper-clad steel (RG6/U-4) sticks strongly to a magnet, whereas pure copper (RG6/U-6) is non-magnetic.
Can 1+2 CCTV coaxial cable be used for a satellite dish?
Not recommended. Mini-RG59 cores inside composite CCTV cables suffer steep attenuation at 950–2150 MHz satellite IF frequencies.
Does splicing a satellite cable ruin HD reception?
Twisting and taping cores ruins 75 Ω impedance and invites LTE interference, whereas two properly terminated F-connectors joined by an F-barrel insert add less than 0.5 dB loss.
How do I prevent rainwater from entering the receiver through the coax?
Use UV-resistant PE-sheathed outdoor cable, weather-booted compression F-connectors at the LNB, and form a downward drip loop before the wall entry.