LMR®-400 VS RG213[Video]: Pros and Cons of LMR400 VS RG213

The LMR®-400  from Times Microwave is built for versatility, low loss, RF shielding, and wearability. The cable design of the LMR-400  allows for the tightest bend radius of any cable of comparable size and performance. The cable has the least amount of loss of any similar cable. This cable has 90 dB of RF shielding and is suited for situations with a lot of EMI. The LMR-400  may be used both indoors and out. Use Times Microwave's LMR-400  cable for any application that requires an easily routed, low loss RF wire (e.g. WLL, GPS, LMR, WLAN, WISP, WiMax, SCADA, Mobile Antennas). The LMR-400  is a direct replacement for the RG-8 cable.

A flexible RG213 coax cable with the part number RG213/U is from Pasternack. The RG213 flexible coax cable from Pasternack is 50 Ohm and features a PE dielectric. RG213 coax has a PVC jacket with a thickness of 0.405. The shield count for RG213 coax is one, and the maximum frequency for this Pasternack cable is one GHz. At 1 GHz, the RG213 coax cable has a 9 dB attenuation and a maximum power of 190 watts.

Over 40,000 RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave components are made up of Pasternack RG213  coax cables. Same-day shipping of RG213 cables and other RF  parts is available worldwide. RF  cable assemblies made from RG213 or another coax can be constructed and dispatched the same day.

LMR400 Features

• Priced Per Foot

• Cable Type: LMR-400

• Impedance: 50 ohm

• Center Conductor: Bare Copper Covered Aluminum (BCCAI)

• Jacket: Polyethylene (PE)

• Outer Diameter: .405 inch

• Indoor/Outdoor Rated

• Drop-in replacement for RG-8

• Attenuation @ 900 MHz/100 ft: 3.9dB/100ft

• Attenuation @ 2.4 GHz/100 ft: 6.65dB/100ft

• Any application (e.g. WLL, GPS, LMR, WLAN, WISP, WiMax, SCADA, Mobile Antennas) requiring an easily routed, low loss RF cable

• Max Continuous Length: 1000 FT

RG213 Features

• Impedance: 50 ohm

• Capacitance: 98 pF/M

• Center Conductor: Strand Bare Copper Wire

• Shield Coverage: 96%

• Minimum Bend Radius: 42mm

LMR400 Structure Figure

 RG213 Structure Figure

For high-end radio frequency antennas, LMR400  versus RG213  are two excellent coaxial cables. Although the two cables are quite similar in size, they are constructed differently. The key difference between the two is that the RG213  coaxial cable is less expensive and has a stranded bare copper center conductor. The LMR400  coax cable, on the other hand, contains a solid bare copper wrapped aluminum conductor. The RG213  coaxial cable also has a PVC jacket, unlike the LMR400  coaxial wire, which has a PE jacket,  These two outer jackets, on the other hand, are intriguing. 

Polyvinyl chloride is commonly used in domestic applications such as pipes, garden hoses, waterbeds, and vinyl raincoats  (PVC). Because of its qualities and versatility, polyethylene is utilized in bulletproof vests and a range of other high-temperature products. As a result, because the LMR400  's outer jacket is made of polyethylene, it wins in terms of cable protection. The shielding conductor of these cables is another important distinction between LMR400  and RG213  coaxial cable s. The RG213  features a single bare copper braid shield, but the LMR400  has two shields, one constructed of aluminum braid and the other of braided tinned copper. LMR400  is the winner once more.

LMR400 Applications

• Wireless communication systems

• Drop-in replacement for RG8/9913 air-dielectric type cable

• Short antenna

• Feeder runs

• Easily-routed, low loss RF cable.

RG213 Applications

• Telecommunications

• Radio communications

• Broadcast

• Computer applications

The RG213 shield is made up of a single bare copper braid, whereas the LMR400 shield is made up of an aluminum braid and a braided tinned copper braid. These cables differ mostly in terms of maximum voltage rating, capacitance, and maximum frequency when it comes to electrical specs.

Signal loss is caused by a variety of sources, but in this case, the conductors are to blame for the attenuation variances. The lower the attenuation, the greater the conductor is. Due to the fact that LMR400  has a larger conductor than RG213, RG213 suffers from a higher signal loss than LMR400.

The RG213 coax cable is utilized in a wide range of military and commercial applications, including radio communications, high-performance electrical and data transmission, broadcast, and computer applications, to name a few. When low signal loss and high operating voltages are necessary, it can also be utilized as an antenna feed cable. It also performs well in heat-sensitive situations, with a maximum temperature rating of 75°Celsius. The M17/74-RG213 is the military's version of the M17/74-RG213.

LMR400 is designed as a drop-in replacement for RG8  /9913 air-dielectric type cable and short antenna, feeder runs in wireless communication systems. It's also appropriate for applications that demand a low-loss, conveniently routed RF  connection.

Times Microwave Systems is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of coaxial transmission lines. For military, aerospace, wireless communications, and industrial applications, they offer a wide range of RF and microwave transmission line solutions. In the industry, its engineering competence and range of manufacturing capabilities are well acknowledged. They can serve both specialist applications with extremely demanding performance requirements and high volume commercial applications at frequencies ranging from a few kHz to 110 GHz, thanks to production sites in the United States and China. Since 2009, Times Microwave Systems has had access to the resources of Amphenol, one of the world's largest makers of interconnect components. Amphenol Corporation is a manufacturer of electrical, electronic, and fiber-optic connectors, as well as connection systems and coaxial and specialized cable.

Note: LMR® is a registered trademark of Times Microwave Systems.

If you want to learn more information about LMR400, you can see the article about LMR400 VS RG58.