What generally happens as the frequency of a signal passing through coaxial cable is increased?

As the frequency of a signal passing through coaxial cable is increased, the loss typically increases due to several factors such as dielectric losses, conductor losses, and skin effect. At higher frequencies, the skin effect causes the current to travel along the surface of the conductor rather than through its entire cross-section, effectively reducing the conductor's area and increasing resistance. Additionally, coaxial cables have dielectric materials that may become less efficient at higher frequencies, contributing to additional loss.

Understanding this concept is important for radio operators, as increased loss can affect signal strength, reducing overall performance. Operators must consider the frequency they intend to use and select appropriate coaxial cable with lower loss characteristics, especially for applications involving high-frequency signals.