A signal-based cable attenuation measurement device, system and methodology provides measurement of attenuation characteristics of a cable over a wide frequency spectrum. Located at a single location on a cable, a measurement device injects a signal on to the cable under measurement and receives the reflected signal, recording physical characteristics of the cable in response to the signal. A model, calibrated to estimate the effects of the cable with known impedances, evaluates the waveform generated from the cable's response to the signal and computes attenuation of the cable as a function of frequency. In some circumstances, when low signal-to-noise effects result, normally at high frequencies in long cables, the attenuation of the cable is further fitted to the model to correct the errors that occur as a result of the low signal-to-noise effects.