Times Microwave LMR Series: Complete Cable Guide (LMR-100 to LMR-900)

When someone says “LMR cable” on a VSAT or radio installation, they almost always mean Times Microwave Systems’ LMR series — the industry standard for low-loss 50Ω coaxial cable. The range runs from the 2.79mm LMR-100 pigtail all the way to the 22mm LMR-900 long-haul run, and choosing the wrong model either wastes budget or degrades your link.

This guide covers the full LMR lineup: what each model is, where it belongs, connector compatibility, and how to specify correctly for VSAT IFL, two-way radio feedlines, and general RF installations.

What Does LMR Stand For?

LMR stands for Low-loss Microwave RF. Times Microwave Systems introduced the LMR series as a direct replacement for legacy RG-series cables (RG-58, RG-8, RG-213) — cables designed in the 1940s that hadn’t kept pace with modern RF requirements.

The number after “LMR” is roughly the outside diameter in hundredths of an inch: LMR-400 is ~0.405″ OD, LMR-600 is ~0.590″ OD. The larger the number, the thicker the cable and the lower the signal loss per metre. All LMR cables are 50Ω and use foam polyethylene dielectric with a bonded foil + braid shield — the combination that gives them their attenuation advantage over solid-PE RG cables.

LMR Series: Full Specs at a Glance

All values approximate. Refer to Times Microwave datasheets for exact published specifications.

LMR vs Legacy RG Cable: The Real Difference

The most common question when switching to LMR is: “is it really that much better than RG-213?” The answer is yes — by a significant margin:

On a 20m antenna feedline at 450 MHz, RG-213 loses ~3 dB — LMR-400 loses ~1 dB. That 2 dB difference is real link margin, and it can be the difference between a reliable radio network and intermittent dropouts on a fringe site.

Which LMR Cable for Which Application?

LMR-100 — Equipment Jumpers and Pigtails

LMR-100 is the thinnest and most flexible cable in the range. At 2.79mm OD it’s used for very short equipment connections: jumpers, test leads, and patch leads inside enclosures where flexibility is critical and run length is under 1–2 metres. Not suitable for outdoor runs or anything beyond short internal connections.

LMR-195 — Short Patch Cables and Radio Leads

At 4.95mm OD, LMR-195 is the best replacement for RG-58 — same size, dramatically lower loss. Well suited for patch cables on equipment racks, short antenna leads on mobile radios, and general RF connections where RG-58 is currently used. Keep runs under 15m at VHF/UHF.

LMR-240 — VHF/UHF Short Feedlines

LMR-240 (6.10mm OD) suits short base station antenna feedlines up to ~20m at VHF/UHF, or comms room rack cabling where some flexibility is needed. The 25mm minimum bend radius makes it reasonably easy to route through tight spaces and conduit.

LMR-400 — VSAT IFL (≤30m) and Radio Base Station Feedlines

LMR-400 is the workhorse of the range. At 10.29mm OD it’s the standard cable for VSAT IFL runs up to 30m at Ku-band, two-way radio base station antenna feedlines up to 50m at VHF/UHF, and the majority of outdoor RF installation runs. It’s the default choice when no other constraint applies.

LMR-600 — VSAT IFL (30–60m) and Long Radio Feedlines

When your IFL run exceeds 30m but stays under 60m at Ku-band, LMR-600 (14.99mm OD) is the correct cable. Its attenuation at 5.8 GHz is ~8.5 dB/100m vs LMR-400’s ~15.7 dB/100m — a significant advantage for longer satellite runs. It’s less flexible (minimum bend radius 38mm) and requires more planning during installation, but there’s no alternative when the run length demands it.

LMR-900 — Long IFL Runs (60–100m+) and Earth Stations

LMR-900 (22.10mm OD) is used for long IFL runs in large VSAT earth stations, broadcast uplink facilities, and teleports where cable runs exceed 60–80m. Attenuation at 1 GHz is just 2.4 dB/100m — about one-third of LMR-400. The trade-offs are stiffness (100mm minimum bend radius) and cost. Requires appropriately sized N-type or 7/16 DIN connectors.

Application Quick-Select

Connector Compatibility

LMR cables use standard 50Ω connectors — but you must match the connector body to the cable series. Using an LMR-400 connector on LMR-600 cable will result in a poor crimp and intermittent contact in the field.

LMR vs LMR-DB (Direct Burial)

Times Microwave offers a -DB (Direct Burial) variant for most LMR models — LMR-400-DB, LMR-600-DB, etc. The DB variant adds a gel-filled or solid PE jacket designed for direct burial in soil without conduit. Electrical specifications are identical to the standard version. If any part of your cable run is underground, specify the DB variant — standard LMR jackets are not designed for prolonged soil contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LMR-400 suitable for outdoor installation in the UAE?

Yes. Standard LMR-400 has a UV-resistant black polyethylene outer jacket rated for outdoor exposure. For direct underground burial, specify LMR-400-DB.

What’s the difference between LMR-400 and LMR-400-UF (Ultra Flex)?

LMR-400-UF uses a stranded centre conductor instead of solid copper, making it significantly more flexible for routing in tight spaces. Attenuation is marginally higher (~5–8%) but negligible for most applications. Both use the same connector bodies and termination tools.

Can I use LMR-600 everywhere instead of LMR-400?

You can, but it costs more per metre, is stiffer to route, and the performance gain on runs under 30m is small. LMR-400 is the correct choice for standard VSAT IFL runs. Reserve LMR-600 for runs that genuinely exceed 30m at Ku-band.

Do LMR cables work at Ku-band (14 GHz)?

LMR-400 and larger models are rated for Ku-band frequencies. At 14 GHz, LMR-400 loses approximately 30 dB/100m, limiting practical IFL runs to ~30m. LMR-600 extends this to ~60m and LMR-900 to ~100m+.

Are LMR cables 50Ω or 75Ω?

All LMR cables in this guide are 50Ω — the standard for VSAT, satellite, and two-way radio applications. Times Microwave also produces 75Ω LMR variants for broadcast/CATV distribution. Never mix 50Ω and 75Ω cables in the same RF path without an appropriate matching network.

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