We often look for the best CB and most feature-packed CB radios for a good reason. They are dependable and have impressive performance. However, few people will remember to pick a high-quality CB coax cable, and this robs them of the much-needed extra performance.
Your antenna’s strength is only as good as the CB coax cable that connects it to your CB radio, and that is why selecting the best CB coax cable is of great importance. It is also extremely difficult to pin a problem to a CB coax cable since many people naturally believe that their CB coax cables are not part of the problem.
To ensure you don’t run into problems later on with your CB, it is a good idea to select the right coax cable for your CB, and that’s where we come in. We selected seven of the best coax cables that we believe would be ideal for your CB radio.
How We Picked These 7 CB Coax Cables
Quality was the first thing we had to consider when picking these seven CB coax cables. For most people, once the cabling is done, there really isn’t any need to make adjustments unless a section of the cable is broken.
In addition, we also had to assess the CB coax cable’s universal compatibility. Though coax cables are identical, we only selected CB coax cables that could be used with a wide variety of radios.
We really couldn’t come up with a top pick because we reviewed different types of cables which all have different uses and have varied performances. Regardless, we made sure to indicate the best uses for the CB coax cables that we listed.
Comparison Table
Top 7 CB Coax Cables Reviews
Yotenko RG 58 15M Low Loss UHF PL-259 Male to Male ham Radio Coaxial Cable
With so many cheap CB coax cables filling the market, you need a cable like the Yotenko RG 58 if you want to get the best out of your CB radio. This highly reviewed CB coax measures 15M long and has an almost negligible impedance which only means that there will be minimal loss of power.
Key Features
- Low 50-ohm impedance
- Has PL-259 male connectors on both ends
- Works on HF, VHF, and UHF
- 15M in length
- Weighs 1.1 pounds
For starters, the cable is adequately long and will be ideal for a wide variety of uses such as connecting your CB radio to an antenna that is located outside your house. While the possibilities that come with such a long cable are endless, you should be careful not to coil up the cable as this can create some signal disturbance.
In addition, both ends of the cable already have the standard PL-259 male connectors. All you really have to do with the cable is simply plug and play. Even though the cable has an impedance of 50-ohms, we found this to be fair considering other cables are shorter and still have the same impedance.
PROS
- Great for 2-way radios, CBs or hams
- Low loss coax cable
- PL-259 connectors already soldered in
CONS
- Coiling the cable may be inevitable at times because it is quite long
Workman 100 Ft Premium RG8X Coax Cable for CB/Ham
If length was a factor that you had to consider when picking a CB coax cable, then a high-quality coax cable like Workman’s RG8X will do. Like the previous coax cable from Yotenko, this Workman 100 ft RG8X cable has PL-259 connectors soldered on each end for your convenience.
Key Features
- 100 feet long
- Pre-soldered PL-259 connectors on each end
- 95% copper braided shield
- 16 Ga stranded conductor
- Weighs 2 lbs.
You should consider the Workman RG8X coax cable if you intend to setup a base station of some sort or if you wish to have your antenna located far away from your CB radio. Though the cable is properly shielded so that there is little electrical interference, you should refrain from coiling it up.
Performance-wise, the coax cable is great, but a few users complained about the PL-259 connectors coming off easily even after being screwed down correctly. A good way to make sure this does not happen with your cable is to have as little stress on both ends as possible.
There really are no limits with this cable as you can use it with a radio that handles up to as much as 700W without experiencing any issues.
PROS
- Good quality coax cable
- Negligible transmission loss
- PL-259 connectors on each end
CONS
- Connectors can at times come off
Pro Trucker 10ft Premium RG59 Male to BNC Antenna Ham Radio Cable
Sometimes, all you really need from a CB coax cable is something that would serve as a jumper to either your antenna, switch, or even your antenna tuner. If that’s the case, then Pro Trucker’s 10-foot RG59 cable can suffice.
Key Features
- 75-ohm impedance
- 10 feet long
- Nickel-plated connectors
- PL-259 (male) to BNC (male) connector
- Weighs 7 ounces
At just 10 feet long, this is a CB coax cable that is only ideal to be used as a jumper to a switch or an antenna tuner. This is why one of the ends even comes with a BNC connector for your convenience.
In addition, you can classify this as a low loss CB coax cable primarily because the impedance of the cable is a mere 75-ohms. This may be slightly higher than that of a previous CB coax cables like the Yotenko RG 58, but since the difference is so little, you may hardly see the difference.
Also, since you will be using the cable as a jumper, an impedance like 75-ohms is negligible. It is equally important to note that unlike the Yotenko RG 58, this Pro Trucker RG59 coax cable is a step up from the RG58.
PROS
- Low loss coax cable
- Low impedance (75-ohms)
- Perfect for use as a jumper cable
- Nickel plated conductors hence low loss
CONS
- Costly compared to other cable types
MPD Digital K-8 18 feet Single Antenna Coax Cable
Like the Pro Trucker RG59 coax cable, the MPD Digital K-8 is also a special type of coax cable. It can come in handy if you want it for a lower cable profile or if you are the kind who just loves testing out equipment. This is because the coax cable comes with a standard male PL-259 connector on one end and two lugs on the other end.
Key Features
- Stranded center conductor
- 50-ohm impedance
- Polyvinyl center insulation
- Weighs 9.6 ounces
- PL-259 and 2 lug ends
- 18 feet long
It might not look like it, but the MPD Digital K-8 is a high-quality CB coax cable that awaits those who know what to use it for. If you are new to CB radios, it is easy to skip this CB coax in favor of the longer RG59 cables. However, you can achieve a low cable profile on the exterior of your rig with this cable.
Most people who purchase this coax cable typically use it when they need a shorter alternative that can still offer great performance. With a low 50-ohm impedance, you can bet that it will deliver clear signals to your radio without any hassles.
PROS
- Highly versatile
- Ideal for use as a jumper cable
- Low impedance
CONS
- None
Wilson 305-830
The Wilson 305-830 is an 18-foot coax cable like the previous MPD Digital K-8, but with a few major differences. This CB coax cable uses a PL-259 connector on one end and an FME connector on the other end. It also comes with a flexible jacket which speaks tons about its durability.
Key Features
- 50-ohm impedance
- Measures 18 feet long
- Has a PL-259 and FME connector
- RG8X cable type
- 97% shielded cable
This is a high-quality CB coax cable that has been made from quality material. While the silver tinned copper braid was the first thing that drew us to the cable, we were happy to know that its looks did indeed match up with its performance.
Since it is a 97% shielded cable, there will be minimal signal loss, and this means that you get to enjoy crystal clear audio on your radio. In addition, since it has a low impedance of just 50-ohms, you can use it with a wide variety of radio types like CBs and even ham radios.
PROS
- Hand soldered PL-259 and FME connectors
- Comes with a weather proof vinyl protector
- Easy flex jacket
CONS
- Poor solder connection on PL-259 connector
RoadPro RP-8X9 CB Antenna Coax Cable
If it so happens that you would want to pass your coax cable near an area that has a lot of humidity, you may want to consider the RoadPro RP-8X9. One look at it and you can tell that it offers plenty of protection from several other things apart from moisture.
Key Features
- RG-8X cable type
- 2 Male PL-259 connectors
- 95% shielding coverage
- Stranded center conductor
- 9 feet long
There is little to worry about when you are using an RG-8X cable that comes with 95% shielding coverage and features a stranded center conductor, and the RoadPro RP-8X9 gives you just that. Interference and RF leaks may be a problem for all CB coax cables, but it might not be much of a problem if the cable has over 95% shielding coverage.
In addition, we found the molded PL-259 connectors on this CB coax to be super convenient compared to those of other cables like the Wilson 305-830 or the Workman RG8X. Molded PL-259 connectors are also likely to last longer than soldered ones because they can handle more stress.
PROS
- Stranded center conductor
- RG-8C cable type
- 95% shielding coverage protects against RF leaks
- Molded PL-259 connectors
CONS
- None
MPD Digital RG-213 CB Radio Coax Cable
Unlike the earlier MPD Digital K-8, MPD’s RG-213 comes with two PL-259 connectors. However, since the two share a low impedance of 50-ohms, you can expect great performance from the RF-213 coax cable as well.
Key Features
- 75 feet long
- 50-ohm impedance
- Weighs 9 pounds
- 2 male PL-259 connectors
- Flexible UV proof outer jacket
Different cables have different performances and especially if they are made from poor quality material. However, you can comfortably raise your expectations with a coax cable like the MPD Digital RG-213 because it is an RG-8X cable that is manufactured in the U.S.
Its low impedance of 50-ohms means that there is little to no signal loss when you use the cable as a link between your antenna and your CB radio. Additionally, it is well protected against interference and won’t suffer under UV rays thanks to its flame-retardant PVC jacket.
PROS
- Low impedance
- RG-8X cable type
- UV proof outer jacket
CONS
- Costly compared to other cables in the market
What to Consider Before Buying a CB Coax Cable
A CB coax cable might seem like an accessory that doesn’t really require you to know a lot of things about cables. Most people are simply worried about compatibility more than anything else, but they forget that there are different types of coax cables. In reality, there are a number of important aspects to consider whenever you want to purchase a CB coax cable. Many of these aspects contribute towards the coax cable’s overall performance.
Cable Type
Though CB coax cables are essentially coaxial cables that are not too different from the one you use with your cable TV at home, they have some slight differences.
The most common coaxial cable you will find being used with CB radios are the RG8 cables, but these also come in two types:
- RG-8/U cables
- RG-8X cables
The RG-8/U cables have thick cores and dielectrics which makes them suitable for use in outdoor areas. They have a diameter of 2.17 mm and are thicker than the RG-6 cables.
On the other hand, the RG-8X cables are simply thinner versions of the RG-8/U cables since they have a core diameter of 1.0 mm just like the RG-6 cables. The dielectric layer of these cables is also smaller.
RG-8X cables are also double-shielded with braided copper and an aluminum sheet. This makes them the better option since they block out external radio waves.
Cable Length
Of course, longer is always better when it comes to cable length, but you should be careful not to get a cable that is too long. Longer cables often come with the convenience that they allow you to mount the CB antenna anywhere you like.
However, it is not advisable to have too much extra cable that you want to roll up a section of the cable. This is because doing so increases the chances of picking up external radio waves and a lot of interference.
As such, always go for the exact cable length you require.
Compatibility
True, most CB radios use the standard PL-259 connection, but you would be wise to confirm this before purchasing a CB coax cable. While it might be still possible to cut off the ends of the coax cable and fit connectors that are compatible with your radio, you can save yourself the extra effort by grabbing a compatible coax cable from the start. You can also get connector adapters in case you chose a CB coax cable that is incompatible with your radio.
Wrapping Up
CB coax cables are often the last thing on many CB radio owners whenever they are looking to get extra performance from their radios. However, they could very well be the missing link to stellar performance from your radio.
Quality, compatibility, cable length, and cable type are some of the factors you need to consider when purchasing a CB coax radio. In addition, the cable one person uses may not be the one that you need for your CB radio. This is because different cables come with different features such as impedance.
While using a wrong CB coax cable will still work, you may end up limiting the full performance of your CB radio setup.