As far as RG59 goes, it will work for previous receivers. Rg6 is just larger, and can handle more data, and the frequencies used are greater. I beleive the frequency for RG6 is 2150 or somewhere around there, where rg59 is something like 1200... I could google search it real quick and give you 100% accurate numbers, but generally speaking the members here will have that info readily available. The Hopper and above require RG6 3Ghz cables, where the Joeys and below can use RG59, with the availability of issues to occur.