Quick Reference
RG316 Coaxial Cable
50 Ohm • DC – 6 GHz
RG-316 is a lightweight, flexible 50-ohm PTFE coaxial cable with a 0.100" outer diameter, combining good high-frequency performance with excellent flexibility. Silver-plated copper conductors and PTFE dielectric allow reliable operation from DC to 3 GHz and beyond. Widely used in instrumentation, test equipment, and antenna pigtails where flexibility and moderate power handling are needed.
RG316 Attenuation
Signal loss in dB per 100 ft at standard RF frequencies.
| Frequency | Loss / 100 ft | Loss / ft | 6 ft | 25 ft | 50 ft | 100 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MHz | 5.5 dB | 0.055 dB | 0.33 dB | 1.38 dB | 2.75 dB | 5.5 dB |
| 450 MHz | 12.5 dB | 0.125 dB | 0.75 dB | 3.13 dB | 6.25 dB | 12.5 dB |
| 900 MHz | 18.5 dB | 0.185 dB | 1.11 dB | 4.63 dB | 9.25 dB | 18.5 dB |
| 1.8 GHz | 27 dB | 0.27 dB | 1.62 dB | 6.75 dB | 13.5 dB | 27 dB |
| 2.4 GHz | 32 dB | 0.32 dB | 1.92 dB | 8 dB | 16 dB | 32 dB |
| 5.8 GHz | 55 dB | 0.55 dB | 3.3 dB | 13.75 dB | 27.5 dB | 55 dB |
RG316 Power Handling
Approximate maximum continuous power (CW) at 25°C ambient.
| Frequency | Max Power (W) |
|---|---|
| 100 MHz | 45 W |
| 450 MHz | 20 W |
| 900 MHz | 14 W |
| 1.8 GHz | 9 W |
| 2.4 GHz | 7 W |
| 5.8 GHz | 4 W |
Construction & Materials
Center Conductor
Silver-plated copper clad steel, 7×0.17mm
The center conductor carries the RF signal. Material and diameter affect DC resistance, skin effect losses, and overall attenuation.
Dielectric
Solid PTFE
The dielectric insulator separates the center conductor from the shield. PTFE dielectrics offer superior temperature stability and lower loss versus polyethylene.
Shield
Silver-plated copper braid (90%)
The outer conductor provides the return path and shields the signal from external interference. More braid coverage means better EMI rejection.
Jacket
FEP
The outer jacket protects the cable from physical damage, UV, chemicals, and moisture. PTFE and FEP jackets handle higher temperatures than PVC.
Velocity Factor
70% (c)
How fast the signal travels relative to the speed of light in vacuum. Higher velocity factor means shorter electrical wavelength per foot — important for phased array and delay-matched applications.
Max Voltage
1200 VRMS
The maximum continuous operating voltage. Exceeding this can cause dielectric breakdown. Relevant for high-power transmitters and pulse applications.
Available RG316 Assemblies
Choose a connector combination to see pricing and order. All assemblies are hand-built and ship free within the USA.
SMA MALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
SMA FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
RP-SMA MALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
RP-SMA FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
N MALE to SMA MALE
From $8.49
N FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $8.49
BNC MALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
MCX MALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
RP-TNC MALE to SMA MALE
From $7.99
SMA MALE to TNC MALE
From $7.99
F MALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
F FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
FME MALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
FME FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
PL259 UHF Male to SMA MALE
From $9.99
SMA MALE to SO239 UHF Female
From $9.99
BNC FEMALE to SMA MALE
From $8.99
SMA MALE to TNC FEMALE
From $7.99
153 more configurations available on the RG316 page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the impedance of RG316?
RG316 is a 50 Ohm coaxial cable. All standard RF systems (antennas, transceivers, test equipment) use 50-ohm impedance, so RG316 connects directly without any matching network.
What frequency range does RG316 support?
RG316 is rated DC – 6 GHz. At higher frequencies, the attenuation per foot increases, so actual usable range depends on acceptable signal loss for your application.
How much signal loss does RG316 have?
RG316 has 5.5 dB of attenuation per 100 ft at 100 MHz, rising to 55 dB per 100 ft at 5.8 GHz. Use the attenuation table above to calculate loss for any specific length and frequency.
Are CoaxRF RG316 cable assemblies made in the USA?
Yes. Every RG316 assembly is hand-terminated and continuity tested at our US facility. We build each cable to order — nothing is pre-made or drop-shipped from overseas.
Can I order a custom length of RG316?
Yes. In addition to our standard lengths (1, 6, 25, 50, 100 ft and longer), we accept custom-length orders through the Cable Builder. Custom assemblies ship within 1–2 business days.