— Field Reference
ALSR195 vs RG58
Why the Cable Matters
Every metre of coax between the antenna and the device throws away signal. ALSR195 throws away about a third less than RG58 across the Australian 4G bands. That is why it is our standard cable.
~⅓
Less loss than RG58
2.4 dB
Saved on 10 m at 1800 MHz
5 mm
Same size class
ALSR195
Our standard
The cable eats antenna gain
A high-gain antenna is only as good as the lead behind it. Cable loss is measured in the same decibels as antenna gain, so every dB lost in the cable cancels a dB the antenna earned. On a long run with the wrong cable, an expensive antenna can deliver less signal than the stub it replaced.
Loss also rises with frequency. A lead that is fine at 700 MHz can struggle at 1800 MHz, and more so at 3.5 GHz 5G. That is where the difference between cables shows up.
Why ALSR195 loses less
- Foam dielectric. RG58 uses solid polyethylene. ALSR195 uses foamed polyethylene, which absorbs less of the signal.
- Foil plus braid shield. Aluminium foil under a tinned copper braid keeps the signal in and interference out.
- Same size class. Around 5 mm across, so it fits the same glands, clips and connectors as RG58.
The numbers on a 10 m run
Manufacturer loss figures, scaled to a typical 10 m antenna lead. "Signal kept" is the share of the antenna's signal that reaches the device.
| Frequency | RG58 loss | RG58 signal kept | ALSR195 loss | ALSR195 signal kept | Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 MHzLow-band 4G (700–960 MHz) | 4.8 dB | 33% | 3.4 dB | 46% | 1.5 dB |
| 1800 MHzMid-band 4G (Band 3) | 7.4 dB | 18% | 5.1 dB | 31% | 2.4 dB |
| 2400 MHzWi-Fi 2.4 GHz | 8.9 dB | 13% | 5.7 dB | 27% | 3.2 dB |
Sources: manufacturer specification for the ALSR195 we use (dB/100 m at 20 °C); Kabelwerk Eupen RG 58 C/U datasheet (dB/100 m at 20 °C). Connector losses are not included. Budget RG58 and RG58A/U variants typically lose more than the RG58 C/U shown here.
What it means on the job
Alarm panels in steel cabinets
A 7 dBi antenna on 10 m of RG58 at 1800 MHz nets about −0.4 dB, less than a bare stub. On ALSR195 it nets about +1.9 dB. Same antenna, same mount, better link.
Lift and plant-room gateways
Runs from a machine room to the roof are often 10 to 20 m. For those, ALSR195 is the minimum, and LMR400 is the better choice past about 15 m.
5G at 3.5 GHz
Loss climbs steeply at 3.5 GHz. Keep leads short, or step up to LMR400. Tell us the run length and we will recommend the cable.
The cables we build with
ALSR195 — our standard
Built to our specification, lower loss than RG58. Standard on the DG900MB-HG and DG850MB-MINI, and on custom leads.
RG58
For short patch leads and like-for-like replacements where the run is only a metre or two.
RG174
Thin and flexible for short internal leads and tight routing. Highest loss, so keep it short.
LMR400
Lowest loss for long runs, rooftop masts and 3.5 GHz 5G.
Every lead is cut to length, terminated, tested and labelled in Penrith. Custom cable assemblies