Spotting Fake LMR® Cables

LMR^® cable is trusted in everything from military communications to hospital asset tracking. But as its popularity grows, so does the market for counterfeit components. These fakes don’t just fall short of performance expectations; they risk safety and costly damages for any business. Here, Jamal Hagi, RF Engineer,  at electrical cable and connector specialist PEI-Genesis explains how to spot fake or cloned LMR^® components, and why choosing an authorised distributor is the best method for defense.

Since their release 30 years ago, LMR^® cables have served as a reliable and efficient alternative to stiff traditional RG coaxial cables. Their superior attenuation rate of 3.9 decibels (dB) per 100 feet, 3.6 dB less than alternative cable solutions, is what defines the cable’s popularity, especially in applications where signal integrity is crucial like military communications. 

Yet as their popularity has grown, so has circulation of cloned or counterfeit LMR^® products. While these fake products may appear to be better value, they fail to meet critical safety or performance standards.

Take low-smoke cables, for example. Low grade plastic in counterfeit cables struggles to withstand real-world conditions, unlike composites in the genuine product. Therefore, they fail standards like UL 1581 for dielectric strength or IEC 61196 for mechanical and electrical reliability, potentially releasing harmful gases or failing during use.

Failures in the Field

Faults in counterfeit LMR^® cables are not always visible at installation; instead, they emerge quickly once deployed. One common issue is jacket deterioration, where the outer layer begins to crack and degrade prematurely under exposure to UV. This leaves the cable exposed to water ingress, with moisture tracking along the braid and down toward the centre conductor. Over time, this process leads to cracking in the outer conductor tape and corrosion around the core.

Another serious issue is the breakdown of the dielectric material. When made from inferior compounds, the dielectric doesn’t hold up under prolonged use and begins to lose its insulating properties. This leads to fluctuating impedance and a gradual loss of signal integrity. Electrical instability in fake products can also occur due to poor dimensional tolerance of the dielectric, degrading signal transmission in mission-critical systems.

Counterfeit components are also costly for a business in the long term. The average cost difference between fake cables and genuine LMR^® is 25 percent. However, using counterfeit cables in a project could result in up to 75 per cent loss in costs as the cable lacks longevity and requires replacements after three years rather than 20+ for the genuine LMR^®.

Read our Times Microwave Systems LMR® White Paper about 'LMR® networks and the risks of counterfeit components' here.

How to Verify Your LMR^® Cable

Spotting a fake cable isn’t always straightforward, particularly when clones are designed to look legitimate. One of the most important identifiers is the Times Microwave Systems branding. Every genuine LMR^® cable and its reel will be clearly marked with the company name and the registered trademark symbol following LMR^®. Missing branding is an immediate red flag. Counterfeits may also display misleading language like 'LMR^® alternative' or 'Equivalent to LMR^®' to confuse buyers. 

Buyers should look for four key indicators to verify their product:

1. Confirm that the Times Microwave Systems name is printed on both the cable jacket and reel.
2. Check for the official Cage Code, which for Times Microwave is 68999.
3. Verify the country of manufacture, all genuine LMR^® components are made in the United States.
4. Finally, ensure that the LMR^® trademark is shown correctly with the registered symbol. If any of these are missing, the cable should be treated as suspect and investigated before installation.
   
   

Sourcing From Trusted Distributors

As an authorised distributor, PEI-Genesis ensures that every LMR^® product it supplies is genuine by providing Times Microwave Systems LMR® catalog, with detailed specification to ensure you are sourcing the right solution.

In partnership with Times Microwave Systems, PEI-Genesis offers the full range of low-loss, interference-resistant cables that meet stringent military and industry specifications. These include LMR^® 195-600 Standard, 900-1200, Ultraflex, LLPX and 75 Ohm variants. All meet standards such as MIL-C-17, TIA-329-C, IEC 61196 and NFPA 1221. This makes them suitable for high-stakes environments like emergency response, military field comms and industrial installations.

Fake cables amount to losses far greater than replacements. It’s in downtime, safety risks and compromised system performance. By taking the steps to verify a product, along with sourcing genuine LMR^® cables from trusted distributors like PEI-Genesis, businesses can ensure they’re receiving the real deal, including high levels of durability and stable performance to last 20 years. 

Watch our video below  about Times Microwave LMR^® cables .  

Click the 'Learn More' button below explore our inventory of Times Microwave Systems LMR^® cables.