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What cable connects TV to aerial?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 16, 2026

An RG6 coaxial cable is best used for connecting a TV set or set top box to a TV aerial, satellite dish or satellite receiver. It is also used for the internet and digital video.

How do I connect my TV to aerial?

You'll also need an aerial lead and a working aerial.

  1. Plug your aerial lead into the aerial socket on your box (1). ...
  2. Using an HDMI cable, connect to the equivalent socket on your TV to the port marked HDMI 1 on the box. ...
  3. Put your TV on standby, then switch the TV on using your TV remote control.

Are there different types of TV aerial cables?

There are many types for F plugs for different size coaxial cables and plugs that terminate differently like screw on F plugs, crimp on and compression plugs but in essence they are very similar.

What cables do I need to connect a TV?

Nearly everything you might want to connect to a TV these days uses the same connection: HDMI. HDMI cables carry high-resolution images and sound over one small cable.

What kind of cable do I need for an antenna?

Antennas Direct offers three types of cable: RG6,Quad-Shielded RG6, and RG11. If you're installing an indoor antenna or a short outdoor run, a standard RG6 cable should meet your needs. The quad-shielded RG6 cable features additional foil shields to fight electromagnetic interference and is ideal for longer runs.

39 related questions found

Do all TVs need an aerial socket?

You can purchase a smart TV that doesn't have an aerial built in, though aerials are not needed for standard TV viewing. These can be external aerials or an indoor aerial, sometimes known as an indoor antenna. However, to fully enjoy the internet and other features you will need one installed.

What is RG11 cable used for?

RG11 is a 14-gauge wire, a higher gauge than other video cables, giving it more room to transfer signal. RG11 cable provides 3Ghz frequency for CATV, HDTV, TV antenna, and video distribution.

What is the best TV aerial cable?

The Best Coaxial Cables for TV

  • Amazon Basics Coaxial TV Cable.
  • Mediabridge Coaxial Cable.
  • Monoprice 103030 Coaxial Cable.
  • KabelDirekt Digital Coaxial Cable.
  • Cable Matters Coaxial Cable.
  • Phat Satellite Digital Coaxial Cable.
  • GE RG59 Coaxial Cable.
  • Postta Digital Coaxial Cable.

Is coaxial cable the same as aerial cable?

Yes. Satellite TV and aerials use the same coaxial cable. You can use a satellite cable with a TV aerial but you may need to change the connector to an F-Type that's compatible with TVs, top boxes, and other devices.

Can I plug cable directly into TV?

To connect your TV to a cable outlet, you will need to use a coaxial cable cord. Begin by connecting one end of the coaxial cable cord to the cable outlet. Insert the knob straight into the outlet hole, and turn clockwise until securely fastened.

Can you use an antenna with cable?

With an Antenna Connection

If your cable goes straight to the TV without a set-top box, attach it directly. Then take the antenna cable and attach it to the antenna input. If the Antenna In input is a regular coaxial connection like the cable connection, you can run a regular RG6 cable right from the antenna to the TV.

Do TVs need coaxial cable?

If you wish to watch a live TV service through your TV like Freeview or Freesat you will need a coaxial cable connecting into your TV. If you have a TV aerial socket plate or satellite socket a coaxial flylead will be required to connect between this and your TV.

Can I use normal coax cable for Sky?

Absolutely!! Coax cable can be used for freeview, sky or virgin, in fact a virgin router runs off coax, Any satellite signal can be received also whether it's English or international, Recommended cabling is wf100 but even in old buildings with prehistoric internal cabling I am still able to provide a hd picture.

What are the 4 types of coaxial cable?

Coaxial Cable Types

  • RF vs RG Coaxial Cable Types. RF and RG coaxial cable types are each designations from the early days of cable TV and radio transmissions. ...
  • RF. RF coaxial cables are utilized to conduct radio frequency signals. ...
  • RG-6. ...
  • RG-59. ...
  • RG-11. ...
  • BNC. ...
  • TNC. ...
  • SMB.

Can I use coax cable for antenna?

You can make your own digital TV antenna for watching television channels without having to pay for the service, such as from a cable or satellite service provider. You will need a few supplies, including a length of coaxial cable long enough to reach from outside your home to the TV.

What is RF cable on TV?

RF cables are a type of coaxial cable that is used to send radio frequency signals. RF cables are often used to send video information to a TV set.

Are there different sizes of coaxial cable?

The three most common cable sizes are RG-6, RG-11 and RG-59: RG stands for "radio guide." The numbers of the various versions of RG cable refer to the diameter (59 meaning . 059, and 6 meaning . 06, etc.).

How do I know which coax cable to use?

1- Find the code used to identify the coaxial cable.

Coaxial cables generally use the label “RG,” which stands for “Radio Guide” and is accompanied by numbers to create a code that distinguishes the cable model. Once you find the designation code, you will quickly identify the type of coaxial cable!

Do I need RG6 or RG11?

RG6 cables are particularly suitable for most indoor satellite TV installation. If you are using HDTV at home, RG11 cables should be the best coaxial cable for HDTV. Although RG11 cables offer better signal quality than RG6 cables, they lack flexibility. RG11 cables have larger diameter than RG6 cables.

Can you connect RG6 to RG11?

You can mix coaxial cable types. It's very common for RG11 to be used for long runs and RG6 to be used for shorter runs. Typically you would switch cable types at an intermediate closet where the RG11 cable will go into an amplifier and RG6 cable will come out.

What can I use if I don't have an aerial socket?

Satellite TV

The obvious alternative to watching not trough a aerial is to watch it through a satellite dish instead. To watch satellite TV you will need a satellite dish and a satellite receiver, this is usually a satellite set top box but many TV's have in built satellite tuners.

Can you use a smart TV without an aerial?

Yes. You can watch a smart TV without an aerial but you won't be able to access Freeview (or any other terrestrial broadcasts) and you'll be limited to the content on your TV's internet streaming apps. You could also consider buying an inexpensive portable indoor aerial to unlock Freeview channels.

Can a TV work without an aerial?

If you want to watch a TV station, you WILL need a TV aerial to receive TV Channels. If you wish to receive Freeview through your smart TV, you will also need an aerial to do so. However, since you have a smart television it should have internet TV services such as Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer and more built in.

Why does Sky have 2 cables?

The most common reason that a satellite TV receiver will have two LNB connections is because it is a twin tuner model, commonly known as a PVR which is an abbreviation of Personal Video Recorder which usually has an in-built HDD for storing recorded TV directly onto the unit itself so you can watch back at a later date ...