Using multiple SDR dongles

[thewraith2008]

Up until recently, I've only ever needed to use two (RTL) SDR dongles at the same time.
I just use a 2 way splitter for the antenna.

What are people using when connecting more than two dongles to the PC and sharing the same antenna.
I know the more you split it the more the signal is affected/attenuated.

Are people using a 'all in one' splitter with amplifier (distribution amplifier?) or using a individual splitter and amp.
Are you amplifying at antenna (mast) or at the antenna in to splitter to improve gain or some other configuration?
Any amplification really only needs to try and over come the insertion loss and splitter loss as I'm in an RF strong area at the moment.
Frequency range of interest: 100-900MHz

Any product suggestions?

I'm planning to use the dongles at a reduced bandwidth (229376 SPS) with some decimation applied (x8) for a final bandwidth of approx. 23 Khz.
This will reduce the bandwidth of each dongle on the USB as well as reducing CPU for each of the SDR# used which should allow for more SDRs to be used.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[phillydjdan]

A multi port CATV drop amp works wonders. I have (2) 8 port Electroline CATV drop amps in use. Just grab a few CATV jumpers and some F to SMA adapters and you're all set!

 

[ww7ch]

Stridsberg multicouplers are the gold standard. The MCA204M is the most popular general-use model.
Multicouplers

 

[phillydjdan]

Gold standard with the gold-plated price tag. Electroline drop amps are under $50 on eBay

 

[morfis]

Stridsberg expensive but you are perhaps paying for excellent customer service for when the mmic dies because you looked at it the wrong way.
Every Stridsberg that I've had has failed at some point and I've had quite a few others on the bench to repair for friends. Definitely not the gold standard
Cross Country Wireless in the UK make similar multicouplers (though a smaller variety). Five port with amp to compensate for the division loss is pretty much the MCA204M alternative in Europe. Never had one fail (though I have had one where the +ve and -ve power input was reversed from every other one).
The distribution panel here is a mix of Stridsberg and CCW units


I've never found the catv ones to be very good in a dense RF environment but they do have the advantage of being very cheap?

 

[phillydjdan]

Every Stridesburg has failed.

I have yet to have a drop amp do that...

 

[thewraith2008]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes that Stridsberg way too much for me at US$185-335.

Found something on eBay to try out, I'll see how it goes.

 

[radiostationx]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes that Stridsberg way too much for me at US$185-335.

Found something on eBay to try out, I'll see how it goes.

These are quite good for a passive device @thewraith2008 , German company Axing AG have a very good reputation.

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