I have 2 SDR Tuners, 1 Loop antenna stuck in a window (so not exactly optimum setup). I have 1 SMA Passive Splitter (Came in a pack of 2 splitters on Amazon). SDRTrunk says I need another Tuner for the stations I want to monitor (Even after I disabled data). I read there is a 3DB Loss when you use a splitter so if I split a line and then split one again to connect 3 Tuners I assume I would I lose 6 DB on 2 SDR's and 3DB on one instead of 4.8 DB across all 3. I am thinking if I buy a 3rd SDR Dongle I will also need to buy a 3 way splitter and some more cables or should I spend the extra $ and buy a second expensive loop antenna or perhaps a powered 4 way splitter? I do worry if I have to get a 4th SDR dongle later I will end having to buy an antenna anyway and throwing out a 3 way splitter and cables.
3 SDR 1 Antenna Best way to split
- Thread starter Nink
- Start date
-
- Tags
- antenna sdr dongle splitter
Ubbe
Member
Look at the signal strengths of the signals you want to receive if they can take a 4dB or 7dB reduction in signal. If it's local systems they usually can handle a passive splitters loss. Maybe a better antenna will give a higher signal that compensates for a splitter loss. Loop antenna doesn't sound like the optimum one to use.
/Ubbe
/Ubbe
Signal strength is actually really good. It’s mainly P25 so very clear. I think I will just buy another tuner and piggy back the splitters and see what happens. I have a mix of local and some about 30 miles away so maybe if I set preferred tuner on distant channels. Don’t know, perhaps I could try a different type of antenna for 3rd tuner
Ubbe
Member
You can always piggy back splitters and one output from the first splitter goes to another splitter and the second output to a receiver for signal sensitive systems that needs less attenuation. There are even tap splitters that one output have only one dB of attenuation but the other outputs have much more but still usable for local systems.
/Ubbe
/Ubbe
wtp
Member
can any work without putting a splitter on it ?
Ubbe
Member
The advantage of splitter are that they attenuate something like 20dB, 100 times, between outputs so that one SDR doesn't output garbage from its antenna port into another SDR. It's never a good idea to directly connect receivers antenna ports together without using a splitter that isolates the outputs. Any $5 CATV splitter isolate outputs from each other.
/Ubbe
wtp
Member
yes, Ubbe, i understand about the isolation between points.
i was just asking if he he hear any system without 'needing' and outside antenna.
at my house i am close enough to hear my county without any antenna at all.
but the tower is only 1 mile away.
so the idea is if you don't really need an antenna to hear some, put them in a radio with a stock antenna.
i was just asking if he he hear any system without 'needing' and outside antenna.
at my house i am close enough to hear my county without any antenna at all.
but the tower is only 1 mile away.
so the idea is if you don't really need an antenna to hear some, put them in a radio with a stock antenna.
For Receive Only you cant beat the Electroline EDA models. I run 4 of different types.
