Review: Ham Radio Coax Cable 50 Ohm RG58 Coaxial Cable 49.2Ft
with UHF PL259 Male to Male Cable & UHF SO239 Female to SMA/UHF/BNC Adapter 4-Pack for CB, Amateur, Ham Radio, Two-Way Radio, SWR Meter
When it comes to setting up or upgrading a ham radio station, the quality of the coaxial cable and the connectors you choose can make a noticeable difference in performance. The Ham Radio Coax Cable 50 Ohm RG58 Coaxial Cable package is designed for a variety of applications including CB radios, amateur (ham) radio setups, two-way radios, and SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meters. In this review, we'll dive deep into its features, build quality, performance, and how it stacks up against similar products on the market.
What's Included?
This package includes several key components:
49.2 feet of RG58 Coaxial Cable – This is a flexible and durable 50-ohm cable with a relatively standard impedance for ham and CB radio setups.
UHF PL259 Male to Male Connectors – These are widely used connectors for radio applications, designed for easy connection to a variety of radio equipment.
UHF SO239 Female to SMA/UHF/BNC Adapter 4-Pack – These adapters allow you to connect your coax cable to different types of radio equipment or antennas that may have SMA, UHF, or BNC connectors.
Together, these components make for a versatile and complete solution for ham radio, CB radios, or any two-way radio setup that requires coaxial cabling and multiple adapter options.
Coaxial Cable: RG58 50-Ohm
The RG58 cable is a standard choice for short to medium-distance radio connections, typically in the range of 50 feet or less. It’s known for being a flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective solution.
At 49.2 feet, the cable length here is perfect for most installations, allowing plenty of flexibility in positioning your antenna and radio equipment. It’s a great option for smaller setups or for use in portable ham radio configurations, such as in mobile or field operations. The 50-ohm impedance is ideal for maintaining signal integrity, and the RG58 construction provides good performance for frequencies in the HF (High Frequency) and VHF (Very High Frequency) bands.
Pros:
Flexible and Easy to Handle: The RG58 cable is easy to route around corners and tight spaces without being too stiff or unwieldy.
Reasonable Loss for Short Distances: RG58 has some signal loss over longer distances, but at 49.2 feet, it’s perfectly suited for short-range applications where signal degradation is minimal.
Cons:
Higher Loss Over Long Distances: While RG58 works well for shorter cables, it may not be the best choice for very long runs, as its signal attenuation increases with distance, especially in the higher frequency ranges.
UHF PL259 Male-to-Male Connectors
The UHF PL259 male-to-male connectors are a standard in amateur radio and CB radio setups. These connectors are rugged and provide a solid, reliable connection for your radio equipment.
These connectors are commonly used in situations where you need a secure and stable connection between the radio and antenna. With the PL259 male-to-male design, they are ideal for both standard radios and antennas that utilize UHF connections. The connectors are easy to install, and their metal construction ensures good conductivity, even in harsh environments.
Pros:
Durable Construction: Built with strong materials that resist corrosion and wear, ensuring a long lifespan.
Standardized Design: UHF PL259 connectors are widely compatible with most radio equipment, including ham radios, CB radios, and SWR meters.
Cons:
Size: While robust, the size of the PL259 connectors can make them difficult to use in very tight spaces or with miniaturized equipment.
UHF SO239 Female to SMA/UHF/BNC Adapter 4-Pack
One of the standout features of this package is the inclusion of a 4-pack of adapters. The UHF SO239 female to SMA, UHF, and BNC connectors allow you to connect the RG58 cable to a wide range of equipment types. This makes the setup much more versatile, as you can use it with multiple radios, antennas, and devices.
SMA: Small and compact, this connector type is often found in modern handheld radios, providing a secure connection to devices like handheld transceivers and portable antennas.
UHF: Useful for larger base stations or mobile rigs, this connector matches the PL259 and allows for seamless compatibility.
BNC: BNC connectors are popular in test equipment, including SWR meters and signal analyzers.
Pros:
Versatility: The 4-pack of adapters gives users the flexibility to connect the coax cable to various radio equipment with different connector types.
High-Quality Material: The adapters are made from durable, high-quality metal that ensures a reliable connection and minimal signal loss.
Cons:
Size of Adapters: While useful, the size of the adapters may not be necessary for all users. If you only need one type of connection, some may find the inclusion of multiple adapters to be overkill.
Performance & Usability
When used together, the RG58 cable with UHF connectors and adapters delivers solid performance, especially for shorter cable runs. It’s perfect for CB radios, portable ham radio setups, and other two-way radio systems. The signal loss in RG58 is relatively low for the length provided, making it an excellent choice for most user setups.
The UHF connectors hold up well in terms of durability and ease of use, with the PL259 connectors providing a secure fit for most radio and antenna configurations. Meanwhile, the included adapters allow for easy switching between different radio equipment types and antenna setups, providing a level of flexibility that makes this kit suitable for a variety of users, from beginner to experienced.
Build Quality
The overall build quality of this cable and connector kit is solid. The RG58 cable is thick enough to be durable but not so stiff that it’s difficult to handle. The connectors and adapters are made from high-quality metal that ensures good conductivity and resistance to corrosion, a common issue with outdoor radio setups.
Conclusion
The Ham Radio Coax Cable 50 Ohm RG58 Coaxial Cable 49.2Ft with UHF PL259 Male to Male Connectors and UHF SO239 Female to SMA/UHF/BNC Adapter 4-Pack is a great value for anyone looking to set up or upgrade their radio equipment. Whether you're a ham radio operator, a CB enthusiast, or someone using two-way radios, this kit provides all the essential parts for connecting your devices, ensuring strong performance and flexibility.