Best Powertec PTL-240 & PTL-400 Coaxial Cables for Antennas

Article Highlights:

• Signal Integrity: Discover how upgrading to Powertec low-loss coaxial cables can significantly improve your 4G, 5G, and UHF signal strength.
• Product Spotlight: In-depth look at the flexible PTL-240 and the ultra-low-loss PTL-400 series available at Voltage Electrical Supplies.
• Selection Guide: Learn whether you need an N-Male to SMA or N-Male to N-Male connector configuration for your specific setup.

When setting up a high-performance antenna system for a vehicle, home office, or industrial site, the antenna itself often gets all the glory. However, experienced installers know that the "veins" of the system, the coaxial cables, are just as important. A high-gain antenna is rendered useless if the signal is lost before it ever reaches your modem or repeater due to poor-quality cabling.

At Voltage Electrical Supplies, we stock the industry-leading Powertec range of coaxial cables. Specifically, the PTL-240 and PTL-400 series are the gold standard for connecting cellular modems, repeaters, and UHF radios.

In this guide, we will break down the differences between these two cables and help you choose the right one for your rig.

Why Cable Quality Matters

Think of your antenna signal like water flowing through a hose. If the hose is narrow and full of kinks (standard cheap coax), you get very little water pressure (signal) at the other end. If the hose is wide and smooth (Low-Loss PTL cable), you maintain that high pressure.

Powertec cables are designed to minimise "attenuation" (signal loss). Whether you are trying to pull in a faint 4G signal in the outback or running a UHF system on a mining site, using L-240 or L-400 class cables ensures that the decibels gained by your antenna aren't wasted in the wire.

Powertec PTL-240: The Flexible All-Rounder

The Powertec PTL-240 is an L-240 class low-loss coaxial cable. With an outer diameter of approximately 6.1mm, it strikes the perfect balance between performance and flexibility.

Key Features of PTL-240

This cable is significantly better than standard RG-58 cables often found in cheaper kits. It features a double shield (aluminium foil plus a tinned copper braid) which provides shielding effectiveness of over 90 dB. This keeps your signal in and interference out.

Because it is thinner than the 400-series, the PTL-240 is much easier to route through vehicle firewalls, around tight corners in a roof cavity, or behind cabinetry.

Best Use Case: Connecting Modems and Cel-Fi Units

Most 4G/5G modems and cellular boosters (like Cel-Fi units) utilize SMA connectors. The PTL-240 is the go-to choice here because it is flexible enough to plug directly into the back of a lightweight router without putting strain on the port.

We recommend the PTL-240 Coaxial Cable N Male to SMA Male 10m for these installations. The N Male end connects to your external antenna (most outdoor antennas use N Female connectors), and the SMA Male end connects directly to your modem or booster. A 10-meter run is the ideal length for running from a bullbar or roof mount down to a dashboard or server rack.

Powertec PTL-400: Maximum Performance for Long Runs

When you need absolute minimal signal loss, or if you are running cable over longer distances, you step up to the Powertec PTL-400. This is an L-400 class cable with a thicker outer diameter of 10.29mm.

Key Features of PTL-400

The PTL-400 is physically robust. It is comparable to the famous LMR-400 industry standard. It offers lower attenuation than the 240 series, meaning it preserves more signal over the same distance. This makes it critical for weak signal areas where every decibel counts.

Our PTL-400 range also features a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jacket. In the event of a fire, this cable won't emit toxic halogen gases, making it a safer choice for fixed installations in buildings, marine applications, and industrial sites.

Best Use Case: Backbone Cabling and Extensions

Due to its thickness, PTL-400 is quite rigid. It is best used for fixed runs where the cable won't be moved often. It is commonly used to extend a cable run or connect heavy-duty infrastructure equipment that uses N-type connectors.

At Voltage Electrical Supplies, we offer two popular lengths for this heavy-hitter:

• PTL-400 Coaxial Cable N Male to N Male 5m: Perfect for shorter, ultra-low-loss bridges between equipment.
• PTL-400 Coaxial Cable N Male to N Male 10m: Ideal for longer runs from a masthead down to a base station or lightning arrestor.

Note: These cables come terminated with N Male connectors on both ends. If you need to connect to a standard modem (SMA), you may need a short PTL-240 patch lead or an adapter at the end to provide the necessary flexibility.

Which Cable Should You Choose?

Struggling to decide? Here is a quick cheat sheet:

1. Direct to Modem/Booster: If you are plugging directly into a 4G modem or Cel-Fi GO, choose the PTL-240. The SMA connector is ready to go, and the cable is flexible enough to handle.
2. Long Distances (>15m): If you are daisy-chaining cables or running very long lengths, use PTL-400 for the main run to prevent signal drop, and adapt down at the ends if necessary.
3. Tight Spaces: If you need to snake the cable through a car firewall or sharp bends, the PTL-240 is your best friend. The PTL-400 requires a much wider bend radius (approx. 25mm static vs 19mm for the 240).

Conclusion

Your antenna is only as good as the cable connecting it. By investing in Powertec's PTL-240 or PTL-400 series, you ensure that your communication equipment operates at peak efficiency. Whether you need the flexibility of the PTL-240 10m N-to-SMA for your vehicle or the rigid performance of the PTL-400 5m/10m N-to-N for a base station, Voltage Electrical Supplies has the stock you need to get connected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use PTL-400 cable to plug directly into my 4G modem? While possible with an adapter, it is generally not recommended to plug PTL-400 directly into a small modem. The cable is thick and heavy (over 10mm diameter), and its rigidity can damage the delicate SMA antenna ports on routers. It is better to use PTL-400 for the main run and use a short, flexible PTL-240 patch lead for the final connection to the device.

2. What is the difference between SMA and N connectors? N Connectors are large, durable, screw-on connectors (approx. 20mm diameter) typically found on large outdoor antennas and industrial equipment. SMA Connectors are much smaller (approx. 8mm diameter) and are the standard port found on most 4G/5G modems, routers, and Cel-Fi repeater units. Always check your device ports before purchasing.

3. Is the Powertec coaxial cable waterproof? Yes, the Powertec PTL series features a UV-stable Polyethylene (PE) jacket designed to withstand harsh outdoor environments and Australian sun for over 20 years. However, the connectors themselves (where you screw them together) are not waterproof on their own. You must use self-amalgamating tape or heat shrink over the connection points to prevent water ingress.