Scanner Coax Cables & Connectors
The cable connecting your antenna to your scanner matters. Good coax delivers signals with minimal loss; bad coax wastes your antenna's potential. Here's how to choose the right cables and connectors.
Coax Cable Types
RG58
Best for: Most scanner applications. Good balance of flexibility and low loss. Standard for mobile and portable use.
Max length: 50-100ft before significant loss at UHF
RG174
Best for: Short runs, mobile antennas. Very flexible but higher loss.
Max length: 10-15ft recommended
RG8 / LMR-400
Best for: Long runs to outdoor base antennas. Lowest loss but thick and stiff.
Max length: 100ft+ with acceptable loss
Recommended Cables
RG58 BNC Cable 25ft
$15–$22Quality RG58 with BNC male connectors on both ends. 50 ohm, good for scanner-to-antenna connections. 25ft length works for most setups.
Check Price →BNC Jumper Cable 2-Pack
$10–$14Short 12" jumpers for connecting scanner to SWR meter or antenna tuner. High quality with gold-plated connectors.
Check Price →BNC to PL-259 Adapter Cable 10ft
$18–$25BNC to PL-259 (UHF) adapter cable. Useful for connecting scanner to base station antennas that use SO-239 connectors.
Check Price →BNC Cable 1ft 2-Pack
$9–$13Short 1ft cables for clean connections. Ideal for two-way radio, ham radio, and scanner applications.
Check Price →Common Connector Types
BNC
Bayonet-style quick-connect. Most common on older handheld and desktop scanners. Reliable, easy to use.
SMA
Smaller threaded connector. Used on SDS100, SDS200, and many modern handhelds. More compact than BNC.
PL-259 / SO-239
UHF connectors common on base station antennas and amateur radio. Male plug is PL-259, female jack is SO-239.
N-Type
Weatherproof threaded connector. Used on outdoor antennas and professional equipment. Better performance than PL-259.
Adapters
BNC to SMA Adapter
$7–$10Connect BNC antennas to SMA scanners (like the SDS100). Keep a few on hand—they're inexpensive and useful.
Check Price →Adapter Tips
- Every adapter adds a small amount of signal loss
- Minimize adapters—one or two is fine, avoid chains of multiple adapters
- Buy quality adapters with gold or nickel plating
- Check male vs female orientation before ordering
Frequently Asked Questions
RG58 vs RG8 vs RG174 - which should I use?
RG58 is the standard for scanner use—good balance of flexibility and low loss. RG174 is thinner but has more loss (use only for short runs under 10ft). RG8 has lower loss but is thick and stiff. For most scanner applications, RG58 is ideal.
Does my scanner use BNC or SMA?
Most older Uniden scanners (BCD436HP, BC125AT) use BNC. The SDS100/SDS200 use SMA. Check your scanner's antenna connector before buying cables.
Can I use TV coax (RG6) for my scanner?
Not recommended. RG6 is 75 ohm cable designed for TV/satellite. Scanners and antennas use 50 ohm systems. The impedance mismatch causes signal loss and poor performance.
How do I know if my coax is bad?
Signs of bad coax: intermittent signal loss, visible damage to outer jacket, water inside the cable, corroded connectors, or kinked sections. When in doubt, replace—coax is inexpensive.
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