The answer in two lines
RG6 is thinner and enough for most dish and TV runs inside an apartment; RG11 is thicker with lower loss, so it helps on long runs. For networks, Cat 6 is specified to 250 MHz versus 100 MHz for Cat 5/5e, and the maximum channel length is 100 m. More important than the type: never run network cable beside power cables and never bend it sharply.
"RG6 or RG11 for the dish, and Cat5 or Cat6 for the internet?" Every apartment first-fix raises this. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials supplier in Cairo and Giza, we compare the types from published sources, give a simple table and list the most common installation mistakes. Every figure has a named source at the end, and final work belongs to a qualified technician.
What is the difference between RG6 and RG11 (and C80 and CF160)?
All of these are 75 ohm coaxial cables (Wikipedia and the Elsewedy catalogue). The main difference is thickness: per the Elsewedy catalogue the copper conductor is 1.0 mm in RG6 and 1.63 mm in RG11, and the catalogue describes RG11 as having the lowest signal loss. C80 and CF160 also list a 1.0 mm conductor and 75 ohm.
Because the Elsewedy catalogue we found does not publish attenuation figures, we compare with Belden examples from the same two families. These are two Belden models, not the Elsewedy cable in our store:
| Comparison | RG6 (Belden 1694A) | RG11 (Belden 7731A) |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | 18 AWG | 14 AWG |
| Approx. outer diameter | 0.274 in (about 7.0 mm) | 0.400 in (about 10.2 mm) |
| Loss at 1000 MHz (per 100 ft) | 6.3 dB | 4.12 dB |
| Loss at 2250 MHz (per 100 ft) | 9.8 dB | 6.43 dB |
| Loss at 1000 MHz (per 100 m, approx.) | 20.7 dB | 13.5 dB |
Sources: Belden 1694A and 7731A datasheets and the Elsewedy catalogue. The per-100 m figure is our approximate conversion (x3.28), not a datasheet number. Loss grows with frequency and in direct proportion to length (Wikipedia).
So at the same 100 m and 1000 MHz, the RG11 example loses about a third less than the RG6 example. In an apartment the run from the dish point to a TV is usually short, so RG6 is enough. For long distances (a villa, a whole building, or a long drop from the roof) RG11 gives lower loss.
What is coaxial cable used for?
- ✔ Satellite dish and receiver: RG6 is a well-known type for dish and cable TV links (Wikipedia, Utmel).
- ✔ Antenna and terrestrial TV: the same type, listed among its uses.
- ✔ CCTV: Utmel mentions RG11 for long runs and CCTV feeds, and Belden describes the same families for digital video. It still depends on the camera and recorder specs.
- ⚠ Not a substitute for network cable: coax carries TV and video signals; internet networking uses Cat5/Cat6.
Cat5 or Cat6: what is the difference?
Network cables are grouped by the highest frequency their specification covers. Per Wikipedia, Cat 5 and Cat 5e go up to 100 MHz and Cat 6 up to 250 MHz, matching the Elsewedy catalogue (Cat 5e 0-100 MHz, Cat 6 0-250 MHz). So Cat 6 gives more headroom.
An important point about names: the product we stock is listed as Cat 5 UTP and its page states no speeds. Wikipedia says the Cat 5 category was deprecated in 2001 and superseded by Cat 5e, so do not assume the name "Cat 5" alone means gigabit; we cannot state that from a source. The CAT 6 UTP product page, however, says it is suitable for gigabit ethernet applications.
| Comparison | Cat 5 / Cat 5e | Cat 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Max frequency | 100 MHz | 250 MHz |
| Max channel length | 100 m (TIA/EIA 568-5-A) | 100 m with 10/100/1000BASE-T |
| With 10GBASE-T | Not stated in the sources we checked | Shorter: 55 m (Wikipedia) |
| At Tawredaat | Elsewedy Cat 5 UTP, 305 m spool | Elsewedy CAT 6 UTP, 305 m spool |
Sources: Wikipedia (Category 5 and Category 6), the Elsewedy catalogue and the two Tawredaat product pages.
What does the 100 m limit mean?
Per ISO/IEC 11801 (via Tele-Gaertner) the maximum channel length is 100 m, made of 90 m of fixed horizontal cable plus 10 m for all patch cords. If the router is farther than that from the outlet, the fix is not a pricier cable but splitting the network with intermediate equipment, planned by a network technician.
How do you decide? A practical summary
- ✔ Dish in a normal apartment: RG6 (or C80 / CF160 as your technician specifies) over short runs.
- ✔ Long runs, a villa or a building: RG11 for lower loss, but it is thicker and harder to work with, so check the matching connectors.
- ✔ Internet: for future headroom, Cat 6 is the wider choice than Cat 5 (higher frequency).
- ✔ Check the print on the cable jacket (category and name), not only the web page name.
- ⚠ No cable makes up for a bad installation.
Common mistakes with dish and network cables
- ⚠ Running network cable beside power cables. The EN 50174-2 table (as reproduced by Connectix) gives 200 mm separation between unscreened power and unscreened data cable with no metal divider. Do not share a conduit, and see our conduit guide for running conduits.
- ⚠ Sharp bends. Minimum bend radius for horizontal UTP is 4 x the cable diameter (Black Box), and pulling tension should stay under 110 N (Black Box). Coax is also damaged by kinks, so keep bends wide.
- ⚠ Untwisting the pairs too far at the connector. Black Box recommends keeping the twist within 13 mm (0.5 in) of the termination.
- ⚠ Wrong connector for the cable. An RG6 connector does not necessarily fit RG11 because the diameters differ, and a poorly fitted connector loses signal even on a good cable.
- ⚠ Mixing types: a coax that is not 75 ohm, or network cable used where the dish cable should be. Check the type before buying.
- ⚠ Too many joints. Every joint and connector adds loss; prefer one continuous cable from point to point.
- ✔ Sketch where the cables run before you close the wall.
When planning the first fix, keep the low-voltage routes (dish and network) away from the power routes from the start, and see the apartment breaker guide if you are also preparing the panel.
Dish and network cables available on Tawredaat
All from Elsewedy and all in stock now: TV and satellite coaxial (C80, CF160, RG6, RG11) in 100 m lengths, and network cables (Cat 5 UTP and Cat 6 UTP) on 305 m spools.
Browse the TV and satellite cables and data cables collections.
Frequently asked questions
RG6 or RG11 for the dish?
RG6 is enough for short runs inside an apartment. RG11 is thicker with lower loss, which helps on long runs (Elsewedy catalogue and Belden figures).
What is the difference between Cat5 and Cat6?
Cat 5/5e goes to 100 MHz, Cat 6 to 250 MHz (Wikipedia, Elsewedy catalogue). Cat 5 was deprecated in 2001 in favour of Cat 5e.
How long can a network cable be?
The channel maximum is 100 m (90 m fixed cable + 10 m patch cords per ISO/IEC 11801). With 10GBASE-T on Cat 6 it is 55 m.
Can I run network cable next to power cable?
No. The EN 50174-2 table gives 200 mm separation between unscreened power and unscreened data cable without a metal divider.
Can I use RG6 for CCTV?
It depends on the camera and recorder specs. Sources mention RG11 for long CCTV runs, so ask a technician.
Can I install it myself?
Final installation should be done by a qualified technician, especially near power cables.
Ready to choose your dish and network cables?
Browse the Elsewedy cables in stock. Delivery in Cairo and Giza only.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
ملخص بالعربي: RG6 أرفع وكفاية للدش في الشقة، وRG11 أسمك وفاقده أقل للمسافات الطويلة. Cat6 تردد حتى 250 MHz مقابل 100 MHz لـ Cat5/Cat5e، وأقصى طول للقناة 100 متر. المنتج المتاح مكتوب عليه Cat 5 UTP. ماتمرّش كابل الشبكة جنب الكهربا (200 مم)، وماتلوّيهوش بزاوية حادة.
