Alterntive to using a $$ multicoupler

[sergei91]

I'm looking for a less expensive alternative to the $160-180 Mulitcoupler option to connect 1 antenna to 2 scanners. A la going the Radio Shack or similar electronics store route
I'm using a Bearcat 780xlt and a 895Xlt primarily for Mil Air UHF and Civi Air VHF listening. Eventually I will get the pricier Stridesberg active multicoupler but as money is a bit tight I was looking for another alternative to hold me over until then

 

[K8PBX]

I'm looking for a less expensive alternative to the $160-180 Mulitcoupler option to connect 1 antenna to 2 scanners...

Check out my post here about a viable alternative to a Stridsberg multicoupler. These days, you can find them on eBay for $30 or so - if you're patient.

 

[sergei91]

Which Electroline?

There are a few models on e bay right now, which model do you recommend?

 

[RISC777]

MCA204M 4-port, or MCA208M 8-port.

 

[sergei91]

Thanks! I'll see if I can find one

 

[sergei91]

I didn't seem to find any of those model #'s on the Electroline website, are those discontinued models?
Are Electroline prodcuts only sold online or do they have any retail outlets that may sell them? If it helps I'm in the Los Angeles area

 

[K8PBX]

I didn't seem to find any of those model #'s on the Electroline website, are those discontinued models?
Are Electroline prodcuts only sold online or do they have any retail outlets that may sell them? If it helps I'm in the Los Angeles area

Try this link: http://www.electroline.com

Financially, I think you'd be better off trying to find them on eBay rather than buying direct or retail. They do pop up there periodically, usually in the $30 to $40 range. Search for "Electroline 2402" (4 Port) or "Electroline 2802" (8 Port).

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Sergi and all,

Grove sells a neat little two-way splitter for $9.95 complete with connecting cables. You can save half that by buying a CATV splitter from Rat Shlock and making your own cables. Well, if you're not cabling adept you can buy a couple of short TV jumpers from them and use the appropriate adapters. Why buy a big fancy box with the same little ferrite tube and two bits of wire inside for ten times the price when there is a viable alternative?

BTW, this has been hashed out before on several threads, the search feature will answer most of your questions before you ask them, again.

Edit;
The Grove coupler is simply that same splitter with mating cables. (;->)

 

[trooperdude]

MCA204M 4-port, or MCA208M 8-port.

Don't forget the terminator resistors too if you are not using all the ports at once on a multiport system.

Keeps stray RF out and keeps it matched internally for better performance.

I've used the Electroline stuff for a while. Very happy.

My best setup for a weak 800mhz system is an electroline single port 15db amp mounted in a small hoffman box on the mast just below a yagi. 2 ft of quad shield from antenna to amp, then fed 50ft. with quad shield RG-6

Pulls in a very weak 800 trunking system 40 miles away like gangbusters.

And it was CHEAP.

I paid $15 for the amp with power supply, and another $15 for the weatherproof hoffman box off of Ebay.

 

[sergei91]

I caved in and order a 2 port active multicoupler from Stridsberg. I only needed the 2 port anyway so it was a bit less than the 4 port. It seems like this is the best way to go to get what I'm after, and it's only a one time expense anyway
As a side note John Stridsberg is a class act. He responded to my questions within 2 hours and even sent me a message from his blackberry this morning to confirm he got my faxed order and that it will ship it monday. Good guy

 

[RISC777]

Don't forget the terminator resistors too if you are not using all the ports at once on a multiport system.

Keeps stray RF out and keeps it matched internally for better performance.

Myself and one other (cannot remember who) found that with the active Stridsbergs the ports can stay open, no terminating needed. Just an FYI.

 

[KE7TJK]

Hi Sergi and all,

Grove sells a neat little two-way splitter for $9.95 complete with connecting cables. You can save half that by buying a CATV splitter from Rat Shlock and making your own cables. Well, if you're not cabling adept you can buy a couple of short TV jumpers from them and use the appropriate adapters. Why buy a big fancy box with the same little ferrite tube and two bits of wire inside for ten times the price when there is a viable alternative?

BTW, this has been hashed out before on several threads, the search feature will answer most of your questions before you ask them, again.

Edit;
The Grove coupler is simply that same splitter with mating cables. (;->)

I use the CATV splitter from Rat Shack, and I made the cables myself.

Works perfectly, and I spent less than 10 bucks.

 

[K8PBX]

Myself and one other (cannot remember who) found that with the active Stridsbergs the ports can stay open, no terminating needed. Just an FYI.

Yep. Below is a paste of an email I received from John Stridsberg in response to that question.

----- Original Message -----
From: John Stridsberg
To: Steve Sobanski
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: Question

Steve,

A simple 50 ohm BNC terminator will do a great job in terminating unused ports. However, the unit is designed to function well without 50 ohm unused ports terminators, and for most receive applications you can not detect any degradation in performance.

John S.
W5DKS

 

[amusement]

I use the CATV splitter from Rat Shack, and I made the cables myself.

Works perfectly, and I spent less than 10 bucks.

Radio Shack "makes my laugh" with their gold plated CATV splitter. Why? The cable is made of alloy and copper.

The lesson is don't buy the gold plated CATV splitter. The alloy version works as good (whole lot cheaper).

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi again,

Sergi, you made a good choice, the amp in an active multicoupler makes up for the insertion loss of a passive coupler. There IS a caveat, the gain should be equal to the loss so the net result is no actual gain, that is no insertion loss. If there is actually circuit gain as in any amplifier you may experience front end overload and intermod, I hope you don't.

Amusement, you seem as amused as I am. Gold plating (and I doubt it's gold in this case) is only used on contacts for critical applications because it doesn't oxidize and has superior conductivity. Anything else is as bad a joke as "oxygen free" copper speaker wire unless it's gold plated connectors for the "discriminating audiophile". (;->) BTW, I've never seen that snake oil in a broadcast station or recording studio, ever wonder why? Maybe because the JACKS aren't gold plated! Ever wonder why the cable company doesn't use gold plated line taps? Maybe because the F connectors aren't either. HEY! What's this gold plated F connector doing on the end of one of my jumper cables? Maybe because one of the RR big shots (I won't say who and it wasn't ME) put it there. (;->)

 

[N_Jay]

There IS a caveat, the gain should be equal to the loss so the net result is no actual gain, that is no insertion loss. If there is actually circuit gain as in any amplifier you may experience front end overload and intermod,

While setting a reasonable amount of gain helps (and the gain to offset the loss certainly is reasonable), there is no assurance that it may or may not be the proper gain to prevent intermod and overload.