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RG MIL-C-17 Coax Cable
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RG MIL-C-17 Coax Cable

MIL-C-17 is a government regulatory document that standardizes coaxial cables. The standard has been used since the 1940s. To better define the mechanical and electrical requirements of military coaxial cables, revision E of MIL-C-17 was released in 1976.

The MIL C 17 specification defines the complete physical and electrical characteristics of each part. It includes dimensional parameters, dielectric materials, shielding structure, maximum attenuation and VSWR level. RG MIL-C-17 coax cable is mainly with solid PE insulation & Teflon (PTFE) insulation and are typically 50 ohm coaxial cables.

Sometimes the Mil-C-17 specification is called an RG cable. RG cables are older military coaxial part numbers, and each model now has a corresponding Mil C 17 part number.
They are designed for low-loss, stable transmission from relatively low frequencies to higher frequencies such as microwave or radar. Mil C 17 standard covers many different types of coaxial cables.

Mil C 17 coaxial cable is mainly used for military or commercial purposes. Versatile applications such as safety communications, radar systems, ground support equipment, wireless communication, RF and microwave transmission, data transmission and instrumentation control, industrial applications. Other impedance cables are used for data transmission and instrumentation control.

RG Cable Selection Guide

Selecting the correct RG cable follow these four steps :
 
Step 1: Determine the Required Impedance (50Ω vs 75Ω)
  • 50Ω (RG58, RG142, RG316, RG400): Used for RF transmission, wireless communication, test equipment, and microwave applications.
  • 75Ω (RG59, RG6, RG11): Used for video transmission, CCTV, CATV, satellite and broadband applications.
Rule: Match your system impedance—most RF uses 50Ω; video uses 75Ω.

Step 2: Identify the Operating Frequency Range
  • DC – 1 GHz: RG58, RG59, RG6 are suitable for general-purpose RF and video applications.
  • 1 – 3 GHz: RG316, RG142, RG213 offer better performance for wireless communication and test equipment.
  • 3 GHz+: RG400, RG214, RG402 are recommended for microwave, radar and high-frequency defense applications.
Rule: Higher frequencies need PTFE insulation and silver-plated conductors.

Step 3: Evaluate Environmental Conditions
  • Standard indoor use (0°C to +70°C): PE-insulated cables like RG58, RG59, RG6 are cost-effective and sufficient.
  • High-temperature environments (-65°C to +200°C): PTFE-insulated cables like RG316, RG400, RG142 are required for aerospace, defense, engine compartments and outdoor installations.
Rule: Choose PTFE for high-temperature or mission-critical applications.

Step 4: Consider Mechanical Requirements
  • Space-constrained applications: Select smaller diameter cables like RG316 (2.5mm) or RG174 (2.8mm) for compact RF modules and internal wiring.
  • Long-distance runs: Larger diameter cables like RG6 (6.9mm), RG11 (10.3mm) or RG213 (10.3mm) offer lower attenuation per meter.
  • Connector requirements: Ensure the cable diameter matches your connectors (SMA, BNC, N-Type, TNC, etc.). Most standard RF connectors are designed for common RG sizes.
Rule: Balance flexibility and loss. Smaller cables are easier to route but have higher attenuation; larger cables have lower loss but are stiffer and harder to install.

Quick Reference:

Application

Recommended Cable

5G RF jumper

RG316 / RG400

CCTV

RG59 / RG6

Military radar

RG214 / RG400

Test equipment

RG142 / RG316

Need help? Contact our team with your impedance, frequency and temperature requirements.

PTFE vs PE Insulation

The insulation material significantly affects the performance and application range of RG coaxial cables.
 
PE (Polyethylene) Insulation
Features:
  • Temperature range: approximately -40°C to +80°C
  • Lower cost, suitable for general commercial applications
  • Commonly used in RG58, RG59, RG6 for CCTV, CATV and low-frequency RF
  • Good dielectric properties but limited high-temperature performance
Best for: High-temperature environments, microwave-frequency applications, and military/aerospace systems requiring stable performance.
 
PTFE (Teflon) Insulation
Features:
  • Temperature range: approximately -65°C to +200°C
  • Excellent high-frequency performance with lower dielectric loss
  • Ideal for high-temperature environments such as engine compartments, aerospace and defense equipment
  • Used in RG316, RG400 and other MIL-C-17 cables for demanding applications
Best for: Indoor CCTV, CATV, and low-power RF applications where temperature remains stable and cost is a primary concern.

PE Insulated

For wireless and antenna applications, the low-loss cables are gaining popularity because of their size, weight, cost, and performance advantages over the traditional designs.
These cables typically utilize a foamed dielectric material and combination foil/braid shields.
Model Inner Conductor Dielectric Outer Conductor Jacket Impedance PDF Details Inquiry
RG58 19/0.18mm Tinned Copper 2.95mm Solid PE 95% Tinned Copper Braid 4.95mm PVC 50 Ohm RG58.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG59 0.58mm Copper Covered Steel 3.70mm Solid PE 95% Copper Braid 6.10mm PVC 75 Ohm RG59.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG174 7/0.16mm Copper Covered Steel 1.52mm Solid PE 85% Tinned Copper Braid 2.80mm PVC 50 Ohm RG174.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG213 7/0.75mm Stranded Bare Copper 7.25mm Solid PE 95% Bare Copper Braid 10.30mm PVC 50 Ohm RG213.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG214 7/0.75mm Silver Plated Copper 7.25mm Solid PE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 10.80mm PVC 50 Ohm RG214.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG217 2.70mm Bare Copper 9.40mm Solid PE 95% Bare Copper Braid 13.84mm PVC 50 Ohm RG217.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG8 2.75mm Bare Copper 7.25mm Foam PE 95% Tinned Copper Braid 10.30mm PVC 50 Ohm RG8U.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG223 0.90mm Silver Coated Copper 2.95mm Solid PE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 5.30mm PVC 50 Ohm RG223.pdf View detail » Inquire

PTFE Insulated

These cable are used in wireless communication, broadcast and military equipments for transmission of radio frequency signals.
Silver Plated Copper covered steel as inner conductor,PTFE dielectric,Silver Plated copper as braid wire, and FEP or PTFE as jacket.
Model Inner Conductor Dielectric Outer Conductor Jacket Impedance PDF Details Inquiry
RG142 0.94mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 2.95mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 4.95mm Brown FEP 50 Ohm RG142.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG178 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 0.84mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 1.80mm FEP 50 Ohm RG178.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG179 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 1.60mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 2.54mm FEP 75 Ohm RG179.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG180 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 2.59mm PTFE 91% Silver Plated Copper Braid 3.58mm FEP 95 Ohm RG180.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG187 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 1.60mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 2.62mm PTFE 75 Ohm RG187.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG188 7/0.17mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 1.52mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 2.49mm PTFE 50 Ohm RG188.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG195 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 2.59mm PTFE 91% Silver Plated Copper Braid 3.58mm PTFE 95 Ohm RG195.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG196 7/0.10mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 0.84mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 1.80mm PTFE 50 Ohm RG196.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG302 0.64mm Silver Plated Copper Cclad Steel 3.71mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 5.13mm FEP 75 Ohm RG302.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG303 0.94mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 2.95mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 4.32mm FEP 50 Ohm RG303.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG304 1.50mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 4.75mm PTFE 95% Double Silver Plated Copper Braid 7.20mm FEP 50 Ohm rg304.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG316 7/0.17mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 1.52mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 2.49mm FEP 50 Ohm RG316.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG393 7/0.792mm Silver Plated Copper 7.24mm PTFE Double 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 9.91mm FEP 50 Ohm RG393.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG400 19/0.203mm Silver Plated Copper 2.95mm PTFE 95% Silver Plated Copper Braid 4.95mm FEP 50 Ohm RG400.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG401 1.63mm Silver Plated Copper 5.30mm PTFE 6.35mm Seamless Copper Tube N/A 50 Ohm RG401.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG402 0.91mm Silver Plated Copper 2.98mm PTFE 3.58mm Seamless Silver-Plated Copper Tube N/A 50 +/-2 Ohm RG402C-SP.pdf View detail » Inquire
RG405 0.51mm Silver Plated Copper Clad Steel 1.68mm PTFE 2.20mm Seamless Copper Tube N/A 50 +/-2 Ohm RG405.pdf View detail » Inquire
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