RG6 coaxial cable (75 ohm) is the standard coax cable for a TV antenna setup. Use standard RG6 for most installs, quad-shielded RG6 for longer or interference-prone runs, and RG11 for runs over 150 ft.
- You use RG6 (75 ohm) with F-type connectors
- Short runs under 50 ft use standard RG6
- Longer or outdoor runs use quad-shielded RG6
- Runs over 150 ft use RG11
- You use RG59 — too much signal loss at HD frequencies
- Shielding is inadequate on long runs, causing interference
- Impedance is mismatched (e.g., 50 ohm cable)
Which Coax Cable Type Should You Use?
Not all coaxial cables perform the same way at the high frequencies used by digital HDTV signals. Picking the wrong type is the most common reason for poor reception even when your antenna is well-positioned.
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor or short run (<50 ft) | Yes | Standard RG6 | Best value for most homes |
| Long or interference-prone run | Yes | Quad-shield RG6 | Better noise rejection |
| Run over 150 ft | Yes | RG11 | Lowest signal loss, less flexible |
| Using RG59 | No | Replace with RG6 | Too lossy for HD channels |
| Using 50 ohm cable | No | Replace with 75 ohm | Impedance mismatch kills signal |
Standard RG6 vs Quad-Shield RG6
Standard RG6 has a single foil shield and a braided outer shield. It handles most indoor installs and short outdoor runs without issue. Quad-shielded RG6 adds a second foil and braid layer, making it much better at blocking interference from nearby electronics, walls, or longer cable runs. If you are running cable through walls or across a roof, quad-shield is worth the small extra cost.
You can browse rated options on the Antennas Direct coaxial cable store to compare shielding specs before you buy.
When to Use RG11
RG11 is thicker and stiffer than RG6, but it has the lowest signal attenuation of any common coax type. Use it when your cable run exceeds 150 feet — for example, from a roof-mounted antenna to a TV on the opposite side of a large house. For anything shorter, RG6 is easier to route and more than adequate.
Why RG59 Does Not Work for HD Antennas
RG59 was designed for analog TV and low-frequency video. At the UHF frequencies used by modern digital broadcasts, it loses significantly more signal per foot than RG6. Even a short RG59 run can degrade reception enough to drop channels entirely. Always replace old RG59 wiring when upgrading to a digital antenna setup.
Connectors and Impedance
TV antennas and tuners use 75 ohm impedance. All your coax cable must match this. F-type connectors are the standard termination for antenna coax — use compression-style F connectors for the most reliable, weather-resistant connection on outdoor runs. Avoid mixing in 50 ohm cable (common in Wi-Fi and CB radio setups), as the impedance mismatch causes reflections that hurt signal quality.
If you are also connecting your display using a separate cable, check out our guide on whether USB-C can connect to HDMI for modern TV setups, or see whether USB-C supports video output on your device.
Bottom line: Use RG6 coax with F-type connectors and 75 ohm impedance for any TV antenna setup. Go quad-shield for longer or outdoor runs, step up to RG11 past 150 feet, and replace any RG59 you find — it simply is not suited for HD digital signals.