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Chameleon Knowledge Base · The Complete Online HF Antenna Handbook

What Is RG-58 Coax?

Learn about RG-58 coaxial cable, its characteristics, and its typical amateur radio applications.

Getting Started HF Fundamentals Reviewed 2026-07-14
Short Answer: Learn about RG-58 coaxial cable, its characteristics, and its typical amateur radio applications.

Explanation

Overview RG-58 is a lightweight, flexible 50-ohm coaxial cable commonly used for short amateur radio feed lines, test equipment, and portable installations. Typical Characteristics 50-ohm characteristic impedance. Outside diameter of approximately 0.195 inches (4.95 mm). Lightweight. Highly flexible. Advantages Easy to route. Low weight. Affordable. Excellent for portable stations. Limitations Higher attenuation than larger coaxial cables. Less suitable for long feed-line runs. Lower power handling than larger cable types. Typical Applications Portable HF stations. Test equipment. Temporary antenna installations. Short jumper cables. Applied to Chameleon Products RG-58 is suitable for many short-run portable Chameleon antenna installations where lightweight equipment and flexibility are more important than minimizing feed-line loss. Related Articles What Is RG-8X Coax? What Is LMR-400 Coax? What Is Feed-Line Loss? What Is Coaxial Cable? Related Products CHA MPAS Lite CHA LEFS Series

The exact result depends on the complete station: frequency, geometry, feed line, matching network, return-current path, environment, operating power, and the reference plane of any measurement. A low SWR establishes an impedance relationship at that point; it does not by itself prove efficiency, radiation pattern, compatibility, or safety.

What to Verify

  • Use the newest official product guide or primary service documentation.
  • Confirm the exact model, revision, components, configuration, and operating conditions.
  • Begin tests at low power and change one variable at a time.
  • Do not infer compatibility from connector or thread fit.

Learn Next

  • Antenna Selection: A Mission-First Decision Guide
  • Engineering Design Tradeoffs in Portable HF Antennas
  • Antenna Measurement Reference Planes
  • Understanding Common-Mode Current

Source note: Independently synthesized with reference to The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications, 99th edition (2022), and The ARRL Antenna Book for Radio Communications, 24th edition (2019). Verify changing regulations, services, software, specifications, availability, and safety requirements against current primary sources.