RF cable assembly is a standing line at our factory — antenna jumpers, instrumentation cables, base station feed lines, and U.FL-to-SMA adapter cables for IoT and WiFi products. We handle standard-diameter RG178, RG316, RG174, RG58, and LMR series, with connector work spanning SMA, SMP, SMPM, N-type, BNC, TNC, and micro-RF families. Most orders ship 10–14 days from approved drawing, samples in 7–10 days. MOQ is 100 sets for production, lower for prototypes. For ultra-fine applications below 0.5 mm, see our dedicated micro-coaxial cable page.
What Is an RF Cable Assembly?
An RF cable assembly is a coaxial cable cut to length with RF connectors terminated on each end. The term covers everything from short U.FL-to-SMA jumpers inside a WiFi module up to thick LMR-400 cable runs connecting a base station to a rooftop antenna. What they share is controlled characteristic impedance (typically 50 Ω, sometimes 75 Ω for video applications) and metal shielding to keep the RF signal contained within the cable rather than radiating out.
Key parameters for any RF cable:
- Characteristic impedance — 50 Ω for RF and communications, 75 Ω for video and cable TV. Tolerance usually ± 3 Ω.
- Insertion loss — signal attenuation per meter at the target frequency. Thicker, lower-loss cables (LMR-400) beat thin cables (RG178) at high frequencies.
- VSWR / return loss — mismatch at the connector-cable interface. Well-made assemblies hit VSWR of 1.3:1 or better across operating frequency.
- Shielding — single braid, dual braid, or triaxial construction. More shielding means better EMI resistance at the cost of flexibility and size.
- Jacket material — PVC for indoor, PE for direct burial, FEP for plenum installation, TPE for high-flex. Also determines temperature rating.
RF Connector Families We Build With
RF connectors come in dozens of families. Here’s what we actually stock and build with regularly:
- SMA and SMA-RP (reverse polarity) — the workhorse of RF. DC to 18 GHz in standard form, to 26.5 GHz in 3.5 mm precision variants. Screw-on coupling. SMA-RP is required in many consumer WiFi products by FCC rules. Probably 40% of our RF cable work involves SMA.
- SMP and SMPM — push-on miniature and ultra-miniature. Used for PCB-edge signal testing, inter-board jumpers, and high-density RF systems. SMP rated to 40 GHz, SMPM to 65 GHz.
- N-type — large, rugged, weatherproof. DC to 11 GHz. Standard in cellular base stations, broadcast, and outdoor antenna installations. Threaded coupling handles vibration and weather.
- BNC — bayonet coupling, DC to 4 GHz. Common in lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, signal generators), video equipment, and legacy RF. Quick-disconnect is the main advantage.
- TNC — threaded version of BNC. DC to 11 GHz. Used where BNC’s frequency isn’t enough but the installation doesn’t need SMA’s higher performance.
- U.FL, MHF, W.FL — micro-RF connectors for antenna jumpers inside WiFi/5G modules. We terminate the small end; the other end usually mates with SMA or a direct PCB pad. See our micro-coaxial cable page for detail on the ultra-fine end of this work.
- F-type — 75 Ω consumer video and cable TV. Different from 50 Ω RF ecosystem; not interchangeable.
Less common families — 2.92 mm, 2.4 mm, 1.85 mm for millimeter-wave work — are available on request. Tell us the target frequency and application, and we’ll recommend the right connector combination.
RF Cable Types We Stock
Standard RG-series and LMR cables we keep in stock:
| Cable Type | Outer Diameter | Attenuation | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| RG178 | 1.8 mm | Higher | Short internal jumpers, flex-space builds |
| RG316 | 2.5 mm | Moderate | Test leads, instrumentation, short runs |
| RG174 | 2.8 mm | Moderate | General-purpose, automotive |
| RG58 | 5.0 mm | Moderate-Low | Longer indoor runs, lab use |
| RG142 | 4.9 mm | Low (PTFE dielectric) | Military, high-temp, lower loss at RF |
| LMR-100A | 2.8 mm | Moderate | Small-diameter low-loss alternative to RG174 |
| LMR-195 | 4.95 mm | Low | Medium-length antenna feed, better than RG58 |
| LMR-240 | 6.15 mm | Lower | Longer runs, outdoor antenna feed |
| LMR-400 | 10.3 mm | Lowest | Long base-station feed lines, high-power |
Cable selection is a tradeoff between flexibility, size, frequency handling, and cost. Tell us your target frequency, length, and environment, and we’ll match to the right spec.
RF Cable Specifications We Support
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Characteristic Impedance | 50 Ω ± 3 Ω (standard), 75 Ω for video |
| Frequency Range | DC to 26 GHz (standard), higher with precision connectors |
| Cable Length | 100 mm to multi-meter runs |
| Connector Types | SMA, SMA-RP, SMP, SMPM, N-type, BNC, TNC, U.FL, MHF, F-type |
| Shielding | Single braid, dual braid, or triaxial on request |
| Jacket Material | PVC, PE, FEP, TPE, polyurethane |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (PVC jacket), +105 °C to +200 °C with FEP / PTFE |
| IP Rating | IP65 to IP67 with weatherproof connectors |
| VSWR Target | 1.3:1 or better across operating frequency |
| Compliance | RoHS, REACH, UL for specific plenum variants |
| MOQ | 100 sets standard, lower for prototypes |
Above 26 GHz we work on a case-by-case basis — these are precision-connector jobs (2.92 mm, 2.4 mm, 1.85 mm) with tighter process control. Quote and lead time depend on the specific spec.
Typical Applications
Our RF cable production splits across these main categories:
WiFi, Bluetooth, and 5G antenna jumpers. The largest category by volume. Usually short RG178 or RG316 cable with U.FL on the module side and SMA or SMA-RP on the external antenna side. Often bundled inside the product as internal antenna leads.
Instrumentation and test cables. Lab connections between spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, and devices under test. Common builds are SMA-to-SMA on RG316 for flexibility, or N-to-N on LMR for lower loss at higher frequencies.
Base station and outdoor antenna installations. LMR-240 or LMR-400 with N-type connectors. Often need weatherproofing — IP67 rated connectors or heat-shrink boots over the connector-cable junction. Longer runs (5 to 30 meters) for rooftop installations.
IoT gateways and LoRa devices. External antenna cables for LoRa, Sigfox, NB-IoT, and other IoT radio modules. Usually RG316 or LMR-100 with SMA connectors. Outdoor-rated when the gateway mounts externally.
Drone telemetry and video links. Short, lightweight RF cables connecting transmitter modules to external antennas. Weight matters, so we use the thinnest cable that meets the frequency spec — often RG178 or RG316.
GPS antenna cables. Short runs between an active GPS antenna and a receiver module. Sometimes includes DC-blocking or bias-tee requirements for powered active antennas.
Automotive telematics. GPS, cellular, and V2X antenna cables. Automotive-grade builds run -40 °C to +105 °C and AEC-Q200 material specs. See the cable assembly overview for automotive scope.
Why SZFRS for RF Cable Assembly
RF cable is a “looks simple, fails subtly” category. A poorly-made assembly passes continuity but fails VSWR or desense tests in qualification. Our approach:
VSWR testing on first articles. Standard for every new RF program. Return loss measured across the operating frequency range using a vector network analyzer. If the cable doesn’t hit the spec, we rework the build before production starts.
Stocked connector library. Common SMA, SMA-RP, N-type, BNC, and U.FL variants stocked for fast sample turnaround. We source less-common parts on 1–2 week lead times.
Cross-reference expertise. RF connector part numbers are messy — Amphenol RF, Molex, Radiall, Rosenberger, Telegartner all make equivalent SMA variants with different part numbering. We maintain cross-reference data and can substitute when one vendor is out of stock.
Weatherproofing experience. For outdoor builds, we apply heat-shrink boot, self-amalgamating tape, or factory-installed weatherproof gaskets depending on the IP rating required. Long-run base-station feed lines get dielectric grease on threaded couplings.
IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship. Class 2 default, Class 3 for military and aerospace jobs. See our quality and certifications page for compliance details.
Our RF Cable Manufacturing Process
- Drawing review and RF spec check. Target frequency, VSWR spec, connector selection, cable type, and length verified. We flag inconsistencies before quoting.
- Material sourcing. Coax cable sourced from qualified mills. Connectors from authorized distribution (Amphenol RF, Molex, Radiall, Rosenberger, and others).
- Precision cutting. Cable cut to length within ± 1 mm. Length-matched pairs produced to tighter tolerance on request.
- Stripping and prep. Outer jacket, braid, and dielectric stripped to connector-specific dimensions. This step is the most common source of defects, so we use semi-automatic preppers and trained operators only.
- Termination. Crimp, solder, or screw-on depending on connector type. SMA is crimp standard; N-type is usually clamp-style; BNC is crimp. Crimp force and position verified.
- Weatherproofing (outdoor builds only). Heat-shrink boot, self-amalgamating tape, or factory-installed gasket depending on IP rating target.
- Electrical testing. 100% continuity. VSWR sampling on first article and per-lot basis per quality plan. TDR testing available on request.
- Labeling and packaging. Heat-shrink labels, part number marking, ESD bag or moisture barrier depending on the destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between SMA and SMA-RP?
Electrically identical. Mechanically the center pin and receptacle are reversed. SMA-RP (reverse polarity) is mandated by FCC rules for consumer WiFi devices to prevent users from attaching higher-gain external antennas that would exceed authorized radiated power. Industrial and commercial RF use standard SMA. If you’re building for a US consumer WiFi product, confirm which variant you need before ordering.
Which cable should I use for 2.4 GHz WiFi?
For short internal jumpers (under 200 mm), RG178 or RG316 works well. For external antenna extensions (1–3 meters), LMR-195 gives noticeably better performance than RG58. For longer outdoor runs, LMR-240 or LMR-400 minimizes loss at 2.4 GHz and above.
Can you build 75 Ω cables for video applications?
Yes. 75 Ω is different from 50 Ω RF — F-type connectors are typical, and cable selection is different. Common for broadcast video, CATV, and digital signage. Tell us the end use and we match cable and connector.
Do you provide VSWR test reports?
Yes. First article VSWR test is standard. Per-lot VSWR reports available as an added quality service for programs that require it — common in defense, aerospace, and precision instrumentation work.
Can you build weatherproof (IP67) RF cables?
Yes. IP67-rated SMA, N-type, and TNC connectors are standard stock. For junction weatherproofing we apply heat-shrink boots with sealant, self-amalgamating tape, or factory-installed O-ring gaskets depending on the customer spec. Outdoor base station and IoT gateway installations are regular work.
What’s the maximum frequency you support?
Standard SMA and LMR assemblies go to about 18 GHz with strong performance. Precision SMA 3.5 mm variants reach 26.5 GHz. Above that (2.92 mm to 40 GHz, 2.4 mm to 50 GHz, 1.85 mm to 65 GHz), we work case-by-case. Send us the spec — we’ll confirm feasibility.
What’s your MOQ and lead time?
100 sets for production. Prototype batches from 10–50 pieces with modest NRE. First samples ship 7–10 days after drawing approval. Repeat production 10–14 days.
Related Cable Products
If you’re comparing cable options for an RF or antenna project:
- Cable Assembly — full overview of our cable assembly capabilities.
- Micro-Coaxial Cable — ultra-fine coax (40–50 AWG) for embedded applications.
- Medical Cable Assembly — ISO 13485 compliant cables for medical devices.
- Custom Cable Assembly — bespoke designs beyond standard protocols.
- Wire Harness — multi-branch wiring, often paired with RF cable for integrated products.
Ready to Quote Your RF Cable Project?
Send us a drawing, a sample cable you want matched, or just the endpoints and target frequency. We’ll come back with a quote, cable recommendation, and realistic lead time within 24 hours. From 50-piece lab prototypes to 10,000-unit antenna jumper runs, RF is daily work here.