Another one antenna multiple scanners

[jhooten]

The resurrected splitting rg-58 and the various Scantenna discussions have combined to give a potential solution. Let's see what the collective minds think.

Since the ST2 is a 300 ohm antenna that comes with a 300 to 75 ohm transformer with an F connector and 50 feet of cable with an F on each end, run some quality RG-11 or RG-6 from the antenna to a CATV distribution amplifier 1 in how ever many outs then from the distribution amp to each of the scanners with the appropriate cable depending on the length of the run.

I mean a real CATV amp not one of the cheap Radio Shack POS types.

Do able?

 

[KZ9G]

Yes. Also there are some no loss eight and four way amps that have the same level on the input as the output of the ports. Here is a link on ebay for one. EXTREME HD digital BROADBAND 8port CABLE AMPLIFIER data | eBay
And another. ANTRONIX VRA900/ACP HD digital BROADBAND 8port CABLE AMPLIFIER NEW | eBay

 

[prcguy]

A CATV amp is designed for a specific input level range that doesn't change and is not able to cope with very high level signals encountered with off air use. The noise figure is also much higher than for an amp designed for off air use which is not good for handling weak signals.

For some people who don't live near any high power paging transmitters, cell sites, etc it can provide some benefit and for others it just doesn't work out.

A receiver multicoupler is designed for off air antenna use as long as the RF spectrum in your area is not too high and its noise figure is usually better than CATV type amps.

Your idea of using RG-11 is good, its about half the loss of RG-6 but most people are not set up to instal connectors. If you have a choice get T&B Snap-N-Seal compression type.
prcguy

The resurrected splitting rg-58 and the various Scantenna discussions have combined to give a potential solution. Let's see what the collective minds think.

Since the ST2 is a 300 ohm antenna that comes with a 300 to 75 ohm transformer with an F connector and 50 feet of cable with an F on each end, run some quality RG-11 or RG-6 from the antenna to a CATV distribution amplifier 1 in how ever many outs then from the distribution amp to each of the scanners with the appropriate cable depending on the length of the run.

I mean a real CATV amp not one of the cheap Radio Shack POS types.

Do able?

 

[jhooten]

Since the fire destroyed the outplant in this area I seldom see the cable guy anymore. (they say they are in the bid process for replacing it) If I can track him down I'll see if they still have any of the old multicouplers they used in the analog days to couple the off the air antenna to the various modulators, that could maybe fall off the truck.