RF Cable Extender: Aerial Runs
Quick answer / TL;DR: Short answer: use 75-ohm coaxial cable of the same type as the existing feed, with F-connectors or the connectors the installation uses. Every extra metre loses signal, more so at higher frequencies; beyond a few metres, a mast amplifier or a distribution amplifier is usually needed rather than more cable.
Three coaxial families: BNC for CCTV, F-type for TV, N for RF – each with its impedance.An RF cable extender lengthens an aerial or satellite feed. Unlike data cable, RF loss accumulates quickly with length and frequency, so extending a feed can reduce signal quality rather than simply moving the socket.
This is the RF extension guide: the loss arithmetic, the connector choices, and the cases where an amplifier is the correct part instead.
The Loss Arithmetic
| The factor | The effect | The note |
|---|
| Length | Loss per metre | Compounds quickly |
| Frequency | Higher loss at higher frequencies | Satellite worse than aerial |
| Connectors | Small loss each | Joints add up |
| Cable type | Thin cable loses more | Match the existing |
The arithmetic is the opposite of data cabling: there, length is generous; here, every metre is paid for in signal.
The Right Parts
- Cable: same type and impedance as the existing run
- Connectors: F-type for satellite, coaxial as fitted
- Joints: as few as possible, properly crimped
- Amplifier: where loss exceeds the margin
Mixing cable types creates an impedance step, which shows up as reflections rather than as obvious failure.
Standards and Verification
| The reference | The relevance |
|---|
| IEC 61169 | Coaxial connectors |
| 75-ohm impedance | Aerial and satellite feeds |
| Field test | Signal level and quality at the receiver |
Per-installation signal levels are not provided in the knowledge base. The loss principle is standard; measure at the receiver rather than guessing.
Practical Notes
A poor joint loses more than a metre of cable. If an extension is unavoidable, spend the effort on the connectors: a compression F-connector outperforms a twist-on every time.
Real-World Applications
The moved television
A television moved across a room: a 3 m extension of the same cable type with compression connectors – signal quality unchanged at the receiver.
The long extension
A 15 m extension added to an already marginal aerial: channels dropping in rain. A mast amplifier fitted – the cable had been the wrong solution.
Related reading: coax cable — blogs/news/coax-cable
Related reading: vga extender — blogs/news/vga-extender
Related reading: rf coaxial cable — blogs/news/rf-coaxial-cable
Frequently Asked Questions
Does extending an aerial cable reduce signal?
Yes – loss accumulates with length and frequency.
What cable should I use?
The same 75-ohm type as the existing feed.
When do I need an amplifier?
When the added loss exceeds the receiver's margin.
Do connectors matter?
Yes – a poor joint can lose more than a metre of cable.
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