What kind of damage might reveal that an antenna cable has to be replaced?

Denting or kinking in an antenna cable can significantly affect its performance and reliability. When an antenna cable is dented or kinked, it may create physical distortions within the cable that can lead to internal conductor damage or weaken the dielectric insulator. This damage can impair the cable's ability to transfer signals effectively, resulting in degraded signal quality or complete signal loss.

Furthermore, a cable that is kinked or dented may be at an increased risk of failure over time, especially when exposed to environmental factors such as temperature changes, vibrations, or humidity. Regular inspections should include checking for such physical signs of wear and damage to ensure optimal performance of the avionics systems that rely on these antenna cables.

While other options like faded color, hard bending marks, and loose connectors might indicate some level of wear or potential issues, they do not necessarily signify immediate concerns that directly affect the cable's integrity and functionality as significantly as denting or kinking does.