By RG213 vs LMR400 7218
Main Differences Between RG213 and LMR400
Electrical Performance Comparison
How to Choose Between RG213 and LMR400?
RG213 is a 50-ohm coaxial cable. It is widely used in amateur radio, broadcast transmission, and base station communication. Its design follows the MIL-C-17 military standard. It is known for high durability and reliability. Many traditional radio systems use it as the standard feeder cable.
RG213 usually uses stranded tinned copper wires (multi-wire copper with tin coating) as the conductor. This makes it more resistant to corrosion and more flexible. The insulation is solid polyethylene (PE), which gives stable electrical performance. The shielding is aluminum foil plus a high-density tinned copper braid (net), with more than 95% coverage. The outer jacket is PVC, which is flame-retardant, wear-resistant, and weatherproof.
LMR400 is a 50-ohm coaxial cable made by Times Microwave Systems. It is a low-loss and flexible modern coaxial cable design. It is often used as an upgrade replacement for RG8 or RG213. With similar size, it offers better high-frequency performance.
LMR400 uses a solid copper conductor. This lowers resistance. Its insulation is physical-foamed polyethylene (foamed PE), which reduces signal loss. The shielding is aluminum foil and copper braid, and some models even use triple shielding. The outer jacket can be PVC or LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) for different environments.
| Feature | RG213 | LMR400 |
| Design Age | Traditional design | Modern design |
| Insulation Material | Solid polyethylene | Foamed polyethylene |
| Loss Level | Higher | Much lower |
| Flexibility | Normal, stiff | Better |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
RG213 is often used in HF (high frequency) and VHF (very high frequency) amateur radio, FM broadcasting, and short base station connections. Its strong structure and good shielding make it suitable for fixed installation projects with limited budget.
LMR400 is better for UHF (ultra high frequency) and higher bands, such as cellular networks, GMRS radios, Wi-Fi extension, and professional wireless systems. Its low-loss feature is very useful for long-distance and high-frequency transmission.
The following are attenuation values per 100 feet (unit: dB):
| Frequency | RG213 | LMR400 |
| 100 MHz | 1.6 dB | 1.3 dB |
| 400 MHz | 3.4 dB | 2.2 dB |
| 1000 MHz | 5.9 dB | 3.8 dB |
| 2400 MHz | 9.8 dB | 6.5 dB |
From the data, as frequency goes higher, the low-loss advantage of LMR400 becomes more clear.
Both have 50-ohm impedance. RG213 has a rated voltage of about 5000V, while LMR400 is about 2700V. Their capacitance is similar, around 20–21 pF/ft.
| Feature | RG213 | LMR400 |
| Outer Diameter | About 10.3 mm | About 10.3 mm |
| Min. Bend Radius | Larger | Smaller |
| Weight | About 95 kg/1000ft | About 74 kg/1000ft |
| Temp. Range | -40°C ~ +85°C | -55°C ~ +85°C |
| Waterproof | Good | Excellent (most models) |
Choose RG213 if your project has a low budget and works at lower frequencies (HF or VHF). It is also better for fixed installations where mechanical strength and durability are important.
Choose LMR400 if your system works at UHF or microwave bands, or if you need long-distance signal transmission. Its better flexibility also helps in complex wiring.
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Designed for high-frequency signal transmission, the 50-ohm RG213 coaxial cable provides robust performance as an antenna feedline for amateur radio operators and various RF system deployments.
While RG-8 is the equivalent coaxial cable to LMR-400 in terms of size and general performance, LMR-400 is distinguished by its superior attenuation characteristics (lower loss).
RG213 finds widespread application in high-frequency signal transmission, particularly within amateur radio, CB radio, and various communication systems.
The RG214 coaxial cable is constructed with a silver-plated copper core and a dual-layer shield of silver-plated copper braid. Its overall outer diameter measures 10.8 mm. In contrast, the RG213 utilizes a bare copper conductor with a single bare copper braid shield and has a smaller outer diameter of 10.3 mm.