How to distribute an antenna

[f0urtyfive]

I dont have much traditional radio experience and I'm trying to figure out how I would best distribute a (receive only) antenna to 10-20 different devices. The best I can come up with so far is a few TV amp/splitters... but I'm not sure if that would even work. I'm targeting the around 150 Mhz, 450 Mhz, and 850 Mhz (Public safety / aviation).

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[KC4RAF]

There's pro and con

about using TV splitters, but I have used them and they work just fine. Using an amp thou, also increases your noise factor and sometimes it just ain't worth the hassle. Just remember, the TV splitters work on the same frequencies your scanner does.

 

[Thayne]

One thing to consider is that for the 800 MHZ freqs anything between the antenna and the receiver will be lossy, and also the antennas are small and can be high gain, so you are better off the have the antenna(s) directly connected to the receivers if possible; but on the lower bands the tv drop amps/splitters can work well. If it is receive only you can use good quality 75 ohm cable for all the coax with good results. Of course if you are wanting to hear 800Mhz with low signal levels that can be tough.
I don't think you would be happy if you are thinking of having all of those freqs go to a bunch of different receivers thru TV type amps/splitters to be used for all the the frequencies you mentioned.

Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts---

 

[gewecke]

One thing to consider is that for the 800 MHZ freqs anything between the antenna and the receiver will be lossy, and also the antennas are small and can be high gain, so you are better off the have the antenna(s) directly connected to the receivers if possible; but on the lower bands the tv drop amps/splitters can work well. If it is receive only you can use good quality 75 ohm cable for all the coax with good results. Of course if you are wanting to hear 800Mhz with low signal levels that can be tough.
I don't think you would be happy if you are thinking of having all of those freqs go to a bunch of different receivers thru TV type amps/splitters to be used for all the the frequencies you mentioned.

Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts---

As thayne has said, using antennas direct to each receiver would be the most efficient method.

73,
n9zas

 

[kd1sq]

You may want to check out the distribution devices from Stridsberg Engineering.

Receiver Multicouplers, HF VHF/UHF.

I've been using both his HF and VHF/UHF couplers for years and have no complaints whatsoever.

Lee

 

[bernietr]

Ditribution

I have 2 antennas a Grove Scanner beem I use for VHF and a 14db gain Yagi I use for 800.
I use a satalite diplexer to bring the 2 feed lines into a TV splitter f connector type. I run lnes 2 with preamps every 50 feet about 6 of them (into a RS tv splitter) to 5 terminal locations in my home. Some runs are over 100 ft. I use the good quality RG6 cable. Gear is BCD996xt BC125a and many older RS scanners. It works excelent for me. Don't be afraid to experiment. Don't use cheap t-type f splitters on 800. I recomend the best splitters you can find.

I have about $300 into it and it works great.

Tom Bernier