Can I use RG6 20 Gauge?

[Duramaxman]

I have about 500 ft. of Belkin Infinity RG 6 20 Ohm cable. But I know nothing about wire at all, I have RG58 right now at a link of 50 feet. Would I benefit from switching to the RG 620 ohm?

 

[Thayne]

I would say not much difference, don't do it at all unless it is for receiving only and you are listening to 700-800 stuff.

 

[mpddigital]

Maybe, but very little real difference. RG6 has less loss but then you have the impedance mismatch. Maybe for low frequency use..

 

[GTR8000]

That's not 20 ohm, it's 20 gauge.

Looks like a spool of Belden (not Belkin) 7503A, which is 75 ohm RG6 with 20 gauge stranded center conductor. You're really better off with solid center conductor for a run of any length over 10' or more. That being said, RG6 is very good for receive-only applications, and yes it would definitely be better than RG58, which is very lossy, especially 50' worth.

Since you already have the RG6, give it a try, you really have nothing to lose.

Also the "impedance mismatch" means absolutely nothing for receive-only wideband. It adds no measurable loss across the frequency range a scanner can tune to.