A/B Switch Boxes ?

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Wish to switch two receive-only antennas to a scanner.

Saw those really cheap A/B push-button switch boxes at ACE Hardware and R/S.

Are these suitable, or is it worth going with a Daiwa switch box, e.g. ?
Do listening only.

BTW:
Any opinions on "F" connectors on coax for general scanner listening ?
Hate to use the word "junk", but they sure seem like a cheap approach.
Are they used a lot, or should one only consider BNC's or "N" types ?

Thanks,
B.

 

[hoser147]

The A/B switch will work, as will F connectors, They have adapters for f to bnc. The F connectors will work but are not as good as the BNC or N connectors, not as pricey either. For anything out side its hard to beat the N. If your going to use F connectors use the good ones and I like to use a bit of silicone on the outside, makes so they dont slide out as easy.............. Hoser

 

[naSTI]

I wouldn't run more than 18 feet of RG-57/58 from antenna to scanner, you'll have a lot of lossiness. But of course it will work to a certain degree, but make sure you get a good a/b switch.

Instead of going out and buying a Stridesberg or something of that nature, I've tried both the RadioShack Cable TV 4-way distribution amp (~$30) as well as a Motorola Broadband Cable Amplifier (~$60 @ BestBuy) in conjunction with a Phillips Satellite four-way splitter with F-Connectors.

I have RG8 coming in from the antenna with a PL259 to F adapter into the amp and four 6' RG58 with F to BNC to all of my scanners. They work just fine after being amplified.

 

[Dubbin]

I wouldn't run more than 18 feet of RG-57/58 from antenna to scanner, you'll have a lot of lossiness. But of course it will work to a certain degree, but make sure you get a good a/b switch.

Instead of going out and buying a Stridesberg or something of that nature, I've tried both the RadioShack Cable TV 4-way distribution amp (~$30) as well as a Motorola Broadband Cable Amplifier (~$60 @ BestBuy) in conjunction with a Phillips Satellite four-way splitter with F-Connectors.

I have RG8 coming in from the antenna with a PL259 to F adapter into the amp and four 6' RG58 with F to BNC to all of my scanners. They work just fine after being amplified.

Hes trying to hook multiple antennas into one scanner, I think you have what he is trying to do backwards.

 

[key2_altfire]

I suspect the switch box will greatly attenuate anything over UHF. You might want to consider a patch panel, but for the low cost of a switch box it's at least worth a try.

 

[NAVCAN]

why not get a Coaxial relay and just switch that?

Like the cx-140d or cx-140m

http://www.rfparts.com/coaxial.html

 

[gmclam]

1. I'd certainly stay away from amplifiers; problems with them have been discussed.

2. All switch boxes are not created equal. The F connectors are not so much the issue. The issue is passband (what frequencies will the box pass) and isolation (when the A antenna is selected, how much of the B antenna's signal gets through).

3. Anything you add will make switching antennas more convenient, but not necessarily "better". Everything has a loss, it is just a matter of keeping that loss to a minimum.

Having said all that; you should not have problems if you use GOOD stuff. Use a good quality switch, with good quality connectors, good coax, and keep the length to a minimum.

 

[NAVCAN]

^^^^ what he said.

And those coax switches on that link are good from DC to 1.5GHz or something silly like that.

http://www.rfparts.com/coaxial/cx140d.html