Quick answer: RG11 has lower loss than RG6 because of its 14 AWG conductor, so it suits drops beyond about 60 m, long aerial runs and high-frequency satellite or camera links. RG6 is thinner, cheaper and easier to route, and remains the right choice for most in-building runs under 45 to 60 m.
RG11 vs RG6: Which Coax Handles Long Drops Better?
Two coax cables, both 75 ohm, both terminated with an F connector, and one reaches a gate camera 180 m away while the other produces a soft, noisy picture. The difference is conductor size. RG11 uses a 14 AWG centre conductor and loses roughly 40 percent less signal per metre than RG6 at the same frequency. It is also thicker, stiffer and harder to bend, which is why it is not the default for every run. The choice is a trade between loss and installation practicalities.
Construction Differences That Drive Loss
Both cables are 75 ohm coaxial with a foam dielectric and a foil plus braid shield. RG6 uses an 18 AWG centre conductor, while RG11 uses 14 AWG. The larger conductor lowers series resistance, which is the dominant loss mechanism at high frequency. RG11 also has a larger dielectric and overall diameter, around 10.3 mm against 6.9 mm for RG6. The shield construction can be similar, so the loss difference comes mostly from the conductor and the geometry, not from a better braid.
Conductor Size and Resistance
18 AWG copper has about 6.4 ohm per 300 m, while 14 AWG has about 2.5 ohm per 300 m at room temperature. At 1 GHz the skin effect raises both values, but the ratio stays similar. Lower resistance means less signal converted to heat along the run.
Shield and Dielectric
A quad-shield RG6 can have better screening than a standard RG11, which matters in electrically noisy plant rooms. Shielding controls interference; conductor size controls loss. Do not assume a larger cable is automatically better shielded.
Loss Numbers and Practical Distance
At 1 GHz, RG6 loses roughly 6 to 6.5 dB per 30 m and RG11 roughly 3.5 to 4 dB per 30 m. At 2.4 GHz the gap widens in absolute terms, which is why satellite IF and long camera runs favour RG11. A door camera that needs 20 dB of headroom at 180 m will not close on RG6 but can close on RG11. The same logic applies to a long aerial drop where the cable passes near trees and cannot be shortened.
Loss at Common Frequencies
At 500 MHz, RG6 loses about 4.5 dB per 30 m and RG11 about 2.8 dB. At 1 GHz the figures are about 6.3 and 3.9 dB. At 2 GHz they are about 9.5 and 5.8 dB. Always use the manufacturer chart for the exact cable, because foam density varies.
When RG11 Pays Off
RG11 pays off when the run exceeds about 60 m, when the signal is above 1 GHz, or when the receiving end has little margin. Below those thresholds, the extra cost and stiffness buy nothing that RG6 cannot deliver.
Bend Radius, Connectors and Handling
RG11 is stiff. Its minimum bend radius is roughly 10 times the diameter, about 100 mm, compared with about 70 mm for RG6. Tight bends crush the foam and change the impedance, which shows up as a reflection and a loss spike at the bend. F connectors for RG11 use a larger body and a different compression sleeve, so the two cables do not share connectors. Pulling RG11 through a tight conduit is difficult, and a staple through the jacket is more damaging because the cable resists bending.
Connector Compatibility
RG6 and RG11 need different F connectors and different compression tools or dies. A connector forced onto the wrong cable gives a poor shield contact and an intermittent centre pin. Buy the correct connector for the cable, and do not mix them in a termination kit.
Routing and Support
Support RG11 every 300 mm horizontally and more often on vertical runs, because its weight is greater. Keep the bend radius above 100 mm, use sweep elbows rather than tight corners, and avoid running it where a door or a drawer can pinch it.
Cost, Availability and Choosing
RG11 costs more per metre and is less commonly stocked, so a long run may need a special order. The connectors cost more and the installation takes longer. The decision should be made on loss budget: calculate the loss of the planned route at the highest frequency, add connector and splitter losses, and compare with the receiver minimum. If RG6 closes with 6 dB of margin, use RG6. If it does not, RG11 is cheaper than adding an amplifier or a second cable run.
Total Installed Cost
Compare cable, connectors, labour and the risk of a return visit. RG11 reduces the need for an amplifier, which also removes a power point and a failure mode. On a 150 m drop, the installed cost difference is often smaller than expected.
The Decision Rule
Use RG6 for runs under 45 to 60 m at 1 GHz. Use RG11 beyond that, or when the loss budget is tight. If the run is longer than about 250 m, consider fibre or an active extender instead of either coax.
RG11 and RG6 compared
| Property | RG11 | RG6 | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 75 ohm | 75 ohm | Same system |
| Centre conductor | 14 AWG | 18 AWG | Lower RG11 loss |
| Diameter | About 10.3 mm | About 6.9 mm | RG11 harder to route |
| Loss at 1 GHz | About 3.9 dB per 30 m | About 6.3 dB per 30 m | RG11 reaches further |
| Bend radius | About 100 mm | About 70 mm | RG11 needs sweep bends |
| Connector | RG11 F body | RG6 F body | Not interchangeable |
Real-World Application Scenarios
A farm gate camera sits 170 m from the recorder, and RG11 carries the signal with enough margin to avoid a local amplifier. A satellite dish on a roof 55 m from the receiver uses RG6 because the loss at 2 GHz still closes. A marina installs RG11 on a 120 m dock run because the cable must survive wind and cannot be shortened, while the internal distribution inside the office uses RG6.
Related Guides on This Site
Compare the smaller cable in the RG59 vs RG6 guide and check construction in the RG6 coaxial cable reference. Connector selection for long drops is covered in the coaxial cable adapters guide. Impedance choices are explained in coax cable 50 vs 75 ohm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is RG11 better than RG6?
A: It has lower loss and reaches further, but it is stiffer, thicker and more expensive. RG11 is better on long or high-frequency runs. RG6 is better for short, easy routes where its loss still closes the budget.
Q: How far can RG11 run?
A: At 1 GHz, roughly 250 to 300 m before loss becomes limiting, depending on the receiver. At 2 GHz the practical limit is shorter. Always calculate with the cable datasheet and the actual connector count.
Q: Can I put an RG6 connector on RG11?
A: No. The cable diameters and centre conductors differ. RG11 needs a larger F connector body and a matching compression sleeve. A forced fit gives poor shielding and an unreliable centre contact.
Q: Does RG11 work for satellite TV?
A: Yes. Its lower loss at satellite IF frequencies makes it a good choice for long dish runs. Use the correct F connectors and keep the bend radius generous, because the cable is stiff.
Q: Should I use RG11 or fiber for a long camera run?
A: RG11 is simpler and cheaper up to about 250 m. Beyond that, or where the route passes near high-voltage equipment, fibre with a media converter avoids ground loops and loss.