Best Cable for Helium Antenna Tested in 2025 (Top 5)

I learned quickly that setting up a profitable HNT miner isn’t just about the antenna height—the signal chain is only as strong as its weakest link. After wrestling with subpar coaxial cables that killed my signal gain, I realized choosing the best cable for helium antenna setup is crucial. We need low-loss cables like LMR-400 equivalent to minimize signal degradation, especially over long runs. This comprehensive guide reviews five top-rated options, focusing on signal integrity, durability, and practical application, so you can maximize your HNT rewards without compromising signal quality.

IMAGE	PRODUCT NAME	AMAZON LINK
	Eightwood N Male to RP-SMA Male Cable KSR240 Low Loss…	View on Amazon
	Proxicast 25 ft RP SMA Male to N Male Premium…	View on Amazon
	Bingfu Lora Antenna 3.3ft ALSR400 Ultra Low Loss RF…	View on Amazon
	Bingfu Lora Antenna 10ft ALSR400 Ultra Low Loss RF…	View on Amazon
	Proxicast 50 ft RP SMA Male to N Male Premium…	View on Amazon

Eightwood N Male to RP-SMA Male Cable KSR240 Low Loss Extension Cable 10ft for Outdoor Yagi WiFi Antenna WiFi Router Helium Hotspot Miner LoraWan Antenna

This Eightwood cable is an excellent entry point for miners seeking better performance than standard thin stock cables, but who don’t require the extreme low-loss performance of LMR-400 equivalents. Utilizing KSR240 cable (similar to LMR-240), it strikes a balance between flexibility and low loss, making it ideal for shorter 10-foot runs where mounting space is tight. It’s built tough for the elements, featuring a robust PE outer jacket that stands up well to both sun and rain, ensuring your connection remains solid.

Key features that stand out:
– Low Loss KSR240 Cable: Offers significantly lower attenuation than common RG-58 cables.
– Weatherproof Design: Features a UV resistant PE outer jacket and heat shrink tubing at the connectors for reliable outdoor use.
– Common Connector Setup: N male to RP-SMA male connection works perfectly for connecting N-female outdoor antennas to most standard Helium miners.

Pros:
– More flexible and easier to route than thicker LMR-400 equivalents.
– Cost-effective solution for short distance (under 15 ft) cable runs.
– Double shielded construction minimizes interference.

Cons:
– Higher signal attenuation compared to the LMR-400 (or KSR/CFD400) options over longer distances.

Best for: Short runs (under 15 feet) where moderate loss is acceptable, or applications prioritizing flexibility over raw signal gain.

Expert Opinion: While KSR240 is better than standard RG cables, users looking to maximize distance and HNT rewards should consider stepping up to a 400-series cable if the run exceeds 15 feet. This is a very reliable option for short connections, though.

Proxicast 25 ft RP SMA Male to N Male Premium CFD400 Low-Loss Coaxial Cable (50 Ohm) for Connecting WiFi & Helium Miner (HNT) Hotspots to N-Female Antennas (Not for TV or Cellular) (ANT-310-420-25)

When we talk about the best cable for helium antenna setups, the LMR-400 standard (or its equivalent, like CFD400) is often the gold standard. This 25-foot cable from Proxicast uses the premium CFD400 standard, offering exceptionally low signal loss—up to 85% less loss than older RG-type cables. This quality is critical for a mid-length run (25 feet), ensuring maximum power gets from your miner to your high-gain antenna. The connectors are high quality and designed specifically for the 50 Ohm impedance required by HNT miners and LoRa networks.

Key features that stand out:
– CFD 400 Low-Loss Coax: Identical performance to Times Microwave LMR400, offering minimal signal degradation over 25 feet.
– Industrial Grade Connectors: High-speed, high-quality coaxial cable designed to handle the required frequency range.
– Significant Performance Improvement: Vastly outperforms generic RG coaxial cables commonly included with inexpensive kits.

Pros:
– Excellent performance for minimizing signal loss on 25-foot runs.
– Highly durable construction, built for long-term outdoor reliability.
– Perfect 50 Ohm impedance match for Helium mining equipment.

Cons:
– The thickness of the cable (CFD400) makes it less flexible and harder to route through tight spaces.

Best for: Miners requiring moderate cable lengths (20–30 feet) who demand maximum signal integrity and minimal attenuation.

Expert Opinion: For a 25-foot run, a 400-series cable is almost mandatory to preserve signal quality. The Proxicast CFD400 is a reliable, industrial-grade solution that ensures the power loss is kept to an absolute minimum, directly contributing to better HNT earnings.

Bingfu Lora Antenna 3.3ft ALSR400 Ultra Low Loss RF Extention Cable – N Female to RP-SMA Male – with SMA Male Adapter Compatible with Helium HNT Bobcat Miner SyncroBit Gateway Sensecap Hotspot

This short 3.3-foot Bingfu cable, utilizing the ultra low loss ALSR400 standard (another LMR-400 equivalent), serves a very specific and essential purpose: acting as an ultra-short jumper or pigtail. While 3.3 feet may seem too short for an outdoor installation, it’s ideal for transitioning between different components, such as connecting a lightning arrestor or placing the miner right next to the entry point. The inclusion of an RP-SMA Female to SMA Male Adapter adds tremendous value, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of miner and antenna setups, including popular models like SenseCAP M1 and Bobcat.

Key features that stand out:
– Ultra Low Loss ALSR400: Guarantees virtually zero signal loss over this short distance, ideal for component jumpers.
– Included SMA Adapter: Increases versatility, allowing users to connect N-type antennas to devices needing either RP-SMA or standard SMA connectors.
– N Female to RP-SMA Male: This configuration is perfect if you need to connect an N-Male surge protector to an RP-SMA miner input.

Pros:
– Minimal signal loss due to the short length and ALSR400 quality.
– Highly versatile due to the included adapter, simplifying setup customization.
– Essential for professional setups involving lightning arrestors or complex junctions.

Cons:
– Too short for primary antenna runs; strictly for use as a jumper or pigtail.

Best for: Short-run connections, integrating lightning arrestors, or adapting between component interfaces right at the miner location.

Expert Opinion: Don’t underestimate the importance of quality, even in a short cable run. Using an LMR-400 equivalent jumper ensures that signal integrity isn’t compromised at the connection point before the main cable run even begins. This specific configuration and included adapters make it highly useful for complex installations.

Bingfu Lora Antenna 10ft ALSR400 Ultra Low Loss RF Extention Cable – N Female to RP-SMA Male – with SMA Male Adapter Compatible with Helium HNT BOBCAT Miner SyncroBit Gateway Sensecap Hotspot Antennas

Taking the quality of the ALSR400 cable and extending it to a moderate 10-foot run, this Bingfu option provides ultra-low signal loss performance in a practical length. Like its shorter counterpart, it maintains the N Female to RP-SMA Male connection configuration and includes the essential SMA Male Adapter, making it highly adaptable. The 10-foot length is perfect for situations where the miner can be placed relatively close to the antenna—perhaps just on the other side of a wall or in an attic space directly below the roof antenna.

Key features that stand out:
– ALSR400 Quality at 10ft: Provides maximum signal integrity over a short run, minimizing attenuation loss.
– Wide Miner Compatibility: Listed compatibility with all major Helium miner brands including Bobcat, SenseCAP, and RAK.
– Easy Installation: Designed for quick installation, allowing users to rapidly relocate antennas for optimal performance.

Pros:
– Excellent balance of short length and ultra-low loss (LMR-400 equivalent).
– Highly resistant to frequency interference.
– Adapters increase connection flexibility dramatically.

Cons:
– The thickness requires careful planning if routing through small conduits.

Best for: Short-to-medium installations where ultra-low loss is paramount, such as high-density urban setups where every dB counts.

Expert Opinion: Ten feet is often the optimal length when the mounting location allows. If you can keep the cable run this short, using an ALSR400 quality cable like this one ensures that virtually all the signal gain provided by your antenna is preserved, resulting in superior performance over low-loss alternatives.

Proxicast 50 ft RP SMA Male to N Male Premium CFD400 Low-Loss Coaxial Cable (50 Ohm) for Connecting WiFi & Helium Miner (HNT Hotspots) to N-Female Antennas (Not for TV or Cellular) (ANT-310-420-50)

When you need to reach the absolute highest point of your structure—the chimney, a tall pole, or the peak of a commercial building—50 feet of cable is often necessary. The biggest challenge with long runs is attenuation (signal loss). The Proxicast 50 ft CFD400 cable tackles this problem head-on. By utilizing the heavy-duty CFD400 (LMR-400 equivalent), this cable ensures that even across a significant distance, the signal loss is dramatically lower than nearly any other available option. For maximizing altitude and coverage, investing in a low-loss cable of this caliber is non-negotiable.

Key features that stand out:
– 50ft CFD400 Low-Loss Coaxial Cable: Designed specifically for maximum height and distance while preserving signal strength.
– Massive Reduction in Loss: Offers up to 85% less attenuation compared to legacy cables like RG8/U.
– Standard HNT Connection: RP-SMA Male to N Male connectivity aligns with the needs of most N-female antennas and RP-SMA miner ports.

Pros:
– Essential for maximizing antenna height and coverage over long distances.
– Extremely low attenuation for a 50-foot cable run.
– Durable, weather-resistant build suitable for permanent outdoor installation.

Cons:
– Expensive and very stiff, requiring careful planning for installation.

Best for: Long distance runs (40–50+ feet) where antenna height is prioritized above all else and signal loss must be aggressively minimized.

Expert Opinion: Fifty feet is where low-quality cables fail completely. If you require this length, you must use LMR-400 equivalent cable. Although it is the most expensive option here, the investment will pay for itself in improved HNT profitability due to superior coverage and witness count.

Comparison Insights: Choosing the best cable for helium antenna

When selecting the best cable for helium antenna, the main deciding factor is the cable type, followed closely by the length.

The Loss Factor: 400 vs. 240
The two cable types reviewed here are the KSR240 (LMR-240 equivalent) and the CFD400/ALSR400 (LMR-400 equivalent). Signal loss (attenuation) is significantly lower in the 400-series cables.
– For short runs (under 15 ft), the Eightwood KSR240 is acceptable and offers a better balance of cost and flexibility.
– For any run over 15 ft, especially the 25 ft and 50 ft Proxicast options, the LMR-400 equivalents are mandatory to preserve the delicate LoRa signal strength. The Proxicast CFD400 series offers the best long-run performance.

The Length Challenge
The amount of loss scales directly with length.
– The Bingfu 3.3ft ALSR400 is the technical winner for lowest loss, as it’s extremely short and high quality, making it ideal for jumpers.
– If you need 50 feet, you must accept the increased signal attenuation, but the Proxicast 50 ft CFD400 minimizes this unavoidable loss better than any other standard option.

Connector Versatility
The Bingfu ALSR400 cables are notable for their included SMA adapter, providing flexibility if your hotspot has an SMA connector instead of the standard RP-SMA, or if you need specific adapter combinations.

Final Verdict: Our Recommendations for the Best Cable for Helium Antenna

Choosing the absolute best cable for helium antenna depends heavily on your specific installation height and budget. We’ve broken down our top recommendations based on common installation scenarios:

For Maximum Elevation (25-50+ feet): The Proxicast CFD400 50 ft is the undisputed champion. If your goal is to get your antenna as high as possible, you must accept the cost and stiffness of this LMR-400 equivalent to prevent excessive signal loss.

For Mid-Range Performance (15-30 feet): The Proxicast 25 ft CFD400 hits the sweet spot. It provides excellent low-loss performance for most standard home roof installations without requiring the full length (and higher cost) of the 50-foot option.

For Short Jumper or Pigtail Use: Choose the Bingfu 3.3ft ALSR400. This short, high-quality cable is essential for integrating crucial accessories like lightning arrestors right next to the miner without introducing measurable loss.

For Budget-Friendly Short Runs (Under 15 feet): The Eightwood KSR240 10ft is a solid upgrade over stock cables. While it has higher loss than the 400-series, it’s more flexible and significantly cheaper, making it a great choice for attic or balcony installations.

Frequently Asked Questions About best cable for helium antenna

What is the most important factor when choosing a cable for my HNT miner?

The most critical factor is the cable’s loss rate (attenuation). Because Helium (LoRaWAN) signals operate at relatively low power in the 915 MHz (US) or 868 MHz (EU) bands, every decibel (dB) of signal loss in the cable directly impacts your miner’s ability to witness distant hotspots. You should prioritize LMR-400 equivalent cables (like CFD400 or ALSR400) whenever the cable run is longer than 15 feet.

Why shouldn’t I use RG-58 or RG-6 coaxial cable?

RG-58 and RG-6 cables are unsuitable for Helium mining because they have extremely high signal loss at the 868/915 MHz frequency bands used by LoRa. RG-58 is acceptable for very short patch cables (under 3 feet), but for runs of 10 feet or more, RG-58 can easily introduce 3–6 dB of loss, essentially nullifying the gain provided by your high-quality antenna. Always stick to 50 Ohm, low-loss cables specifically designed for RF communication, such as LMR-400 equivalents.

Does the thickness of the cable matter?

Yes, cable thickness is directly related to signal loss. Thicker cables, such as the LMR-400 standard (or CFD400/ALSR400 equivalents), have a larger inner conductor and better dielectric insulation, which results in significantly lower attenuation over distance. While these cables are stiffer and harder to manage than thinner cables (like KSR240), the low-loss benefits far outweigh the installation inconvenience for medium and long runs.

How do I know which connectors I need?

Most Helium miner hotpots (like SenseCAP, Bobcat, and RAK V2) use an RP-SMA Female connection on the miner itself. Most outdoor high-gain antennas use an N-Female connector. Therefore, the common required cable is an RP-SMA Male to N Male cable. Always double-check your specific miner and antenna documentation before purchasing the best cable for helium antenna.

Should I install a lightning arrestor, and how does the cable affect that?

Yes, installing a lightning arrestor is highly recommended, especially for outdoor, high-altitude installations. A lightning arrestor is usually placed in-line between the main cable run and the miner or just outside the entry point into your building. Since the arrestor itself uses connectors, you often need a very short, high-quality jumper cable (like the Bingfu 3.3ft ALSR400) to connect the arrestor to your miner port without introducing unnecessary signal loss.

Is there a maximum recommended length for the best cable for helium antenna setups?

While the goal is always maximum height, the acceptable cable length is governed by the signal loss (dB). Generally, most professional installers aim to keep the total cable loss under 2.5 dB. For LMR-400 equivalent cables, this means you can often run up to 50–60 feet before the loss becomes too detrimental. For cheaper cables, even 20 feet is too long. Longer runs are possible, but they require extremely thick, specialized low-loss cables that are often impractical for consumer installation.