I have just taken delivery of 5m run of Paradpr X-400. This is meant to be a cheaper alternative to LMR-400 cable, but with similar specifications. My initial impression is that it is a lot stiffer than KMR-400, which is Chinese clone of LMR-400 which I have. Appears same diameter, as would be expected from the designation of 400.
What is Parador X-400 coaxial cable?
Parador X-400 coaxial cable is a 50 Ω low-loss RF coaxial feed used to connect antennas, radios, and other RF equipment with minimal signal loss. It is designed as a robust, thicker alternative to standard coax cables like RG-58, offering much lower attenuation at VHF/UHF frequencies.
📡 What X-400 Cable Is
- Low-loss RF cable: X-400 is a type of heavy-duty 50 Ω coaxial cable with ultra-low attenuation, meaning less signal energy is lost as it travels from your equipment to the antenna and back.
- Replacement for RG-8/LMR-400 style: It’s commonly used as a direct replacement for cables like RG-8 and LMR-400 — sometimes with very similar electrical characteristics and physical diameter (~10.3 mm).
- Applications: Suitable for antennas operating in the UHF/VHF/868 MHz/915 MHz bands (including IoT/LoRa/Helium setups) and other RF installations where low loss matters.
🔌 Typical Electrical Specs
- Characteristic impedance: 50 Ω — standard for most RF antennas and transceivers.
- Very low signal loss: For example, ≤ 0.193 dB per metre at ~868 MHz, indicating little loss over run length.
- Construction: Copper-clad aluminium inner conductor, foam PE dielectric, aluminium foil + braid shielding, and a tough UV-resistant PE jacket.
- Physical size: Around 0.405 in (~10.3 mm) diameter, so fairly stiff compared to thin coax like RG-58.
📍 Where It’s Used
X-400 coaxial cable is a good choice when you need:
- Lower loss over medium distances (e.g., to an outdoor antenna).
- Outdoor durability: UV-resistant jacket for fixed installations.
- Compatibility with standard RF connectors: Often sold with N, SMA, or RP-SMA terminations.
In short, Paradar’s X-400 coax is a robust, low-loss 50 Ω coaxial cable aimed at RF and antenna installations where you want better performance than cheap thin coax without going up to very large hardline sizes.