Attenuator Needed for SDR radio using SDRTrunk?

[kingshootr]

I've been over in another thread working to get a cleaner signal for a talkgroup that seems to be overpowering my exterior antenna. This is the thread - if you have the patience it will probably answer many questions regarding how an attenuator may help.

SDRTrunk - How to Import MCSO

For those knowledgeable about these sorts of things, can you provide any guidance as to if an attenuator would help, and if so, what dB/size would you recommend.

 

[merlin]

Strong signals can often benefit from an attenuator.
How much is up to the level you are getting.
If you use RG-6, attenuator pads come in 3 to 20 Db sizes, just insert inline.
Another factor can be strong out of band signals like broadcast that can overload your front end
causing birdies .
For that, usually a broadcast reject filter will help.

 

[kingshootr]

All my connectors are SMA. This is a quick video I did showing what I'm getting right now.

Does it provide enough info to make an educated guess what might help my system out?

 

[merlin]

Try a manual IF gain and turn that down a few Db. That is a try and tweak til things look good.
I know if i adjust the IF gain over 12 Db, it overloads. +8 Db is about my sweet spot and can still get rather weak signals.

 

[KevinC]

If you need any SMA attenuators just let me know. I have tons of 3,4,5 and 6 dB ones. You pay shipping and I'll share some with you.

 

[KMG54]

I have natural attenuation in the spring summer and fall. Buried in the woods trees thick, higher than the 3 story house by quite a bit and here is my screen shot. Have to go down more in gain in the winter. The paris mountain tower is 25 miles from me, the mini diamond discone just hanging on my deck railing. Hopefully I can post the picture as it seem that screen capture has moved to clipart.

 

[KMG54]

Here is my extensive planning on the antenna mount and the surroundings!

 

[KMG54]

And Rg6 Quad shield. Works great, those small wave lengths bend just fine.