can u use a t.v. spliter

[bemash]

i have one antenna would like to be able to use my three scanners. is it possable to use a t.v. cable spliter

 

[Voyager]

i have one antenna would like to be able to use my three scanners. is it possable to use a t.v. cable spliter

Yes, but you will have some signal loss - 6 dB on two ports and 3 dB on the other to be exact (assuming a 3-port splitter). Also be careful - different splitters have diffeerent frequency ranges. They all usually go to Low Band, but some only go to 500 MHz while others go to 1000 MHz.

The better way of doing this, if you can addord it, is this:
http://www.stridsberg.com/mca204a.htm

Joe M.

 

[jhooten]

Discone mounted at 10 feet above ground in a mixed pine/oak "forest", two way CATV splitter and I have no trouble recieving VHF/UHF from 40-50 miles away. I haven't tried any of the distant 800 systems yet. If I put in the 20 dB CATV amp I can get some very distant DPS repeaters.

Radio is as much an art as it is a science. CATV stuff is cheap. Try it. If you are happy with the result you saved yourself a couple hundred dollars you would have spent on the "real" multi-coupler. If not you haven't spent that much and now you can go add a tv outlet in the bedroom or garage.



Voyager,

The actuall total loss is 6.5 and 3.5 dB. In addition to the "loss" from the signal being divided there is also a .5 dB per port insertion loss.

 

[N_Jay]

Radio is as much an art as it is a science.

Well put except for the above quote.

Radio is ALL science. It is only "art" to those who have not taken the time to learn the science.

 

[jhooten]

Radio is as much an art as it is a science.

Well put except for the above quote.

Radio is ALL science. It is only "art" to those who have not taken the time to learn the science.

There are many ways to lay out a circuit board based on a schematic that will all provide equal performance (the science). Knowing how to lay out the circuit board to provide the desired effect while making it more efficient to build and service later is the art.

Wireing a chasis to make it work is science. Laying out the chasis wiring so that it works properly, looks clean and neat, and is easy to service is an art.

 

[N_Jay]

Radio is as much an art as it is a science.

Well put except for the above quote.

Radio is ALL science. It is only "art" to those who have not taken the time to learn the science.

There are many ways to lay out a circuit board based on a schematic that will all provide equal performance (the science). Knowing how to lay out the circuit board to provide the desired effect while making it more efficient to build and service later is the art.

Wireing a chasis to make it work is science. Laying out the chasis wiring so that it works properly, looks clean and neat, and is easy to service is an art.

Yes and no, but you are at a much deeper level than those here.

Your quote on that particular thread would leave a person with the impression that connecting antennas, line and splitters together is "art".
It is not.

 

[jhooten]

Going back and reading it I see your point. I got a call in the midst of typing that and didn't go back an finish the thought. See one should always proof read befor pushin the submit button.

 

[LarrySC]

Years ago I converted all my ant's and coax in order to use "F" connectors. Once you do this you can use splitters and A/B or ABC switches. I've never once thought I may have missed a signal and my range well exceedes my needs. Good Luck

 

[bsavery]

What suprises me is no one (that I've found yet anyway) has posted a schematic for a 50ohm, low loss, 2 or 3 way antenna splitter/combiner.

I would think a few bucks worth of parts in a cheap project box wouldn't be too hard to build.

Bob

How does radio work? With F-ing Magic!

 

[N_Jay]

What suprises me is no one (that I've found yet anyway) has posted a schematic for a 50ohm, low loss, 2 or 3 way antenna splitter/combiner.

I would think a few bucks worth of parts in a cheap project box wouldn't be too hard to build.

Bob

How does radio work? With F-ing Magic!

Winding toroids is no fun, and you are not going to get the parts any cheaper than buying a TV splitter.

If you are really concerned about the difference between 50 ohms and 75 ohms, then open a TV splitter and rewind the toroids. The schematic and all the formulas you need are in the ARRL Handbook.

And the old joke goes:
What is AM? Almost Magic
Then what is FM? F-ing Magic!

It is at least 30 years old (and probably a lot more).

 

[poltergeisty]

What suprises me is no one (that I've found yet anyway) has posted a schematic for a 50ohm, low loss, 2 or 3 way antenna splitter/combiner.

I would think a few bucks worth of parts in a cheap project box wouldn't be too hard to build.

Bob

How does radio work? With F-ing Magic!

Winding toroids is no fun, and you are not going to get the parts any cheaper than buying a TV splitter.

If you are really concerned about the difference between 50 ohms and 75 ohms, then open a TV splitter and rewind the toroids. The schematic and all the formulas you need are in the ARRL Handbook.

And the old joke goes:
What is AM? Almost Magic
Then what is FM? F-ing Magic!

It is at least 30 years old (and probably a lot more).

:lol:

 

[flyingwolf]

You quoted all of that just to add a smiley.

 

[poltergeisty]

Well I thought it was all funny. Sorry. :lol: :wink:

 

[John_M]

Radio is as much an art as it is a science.

Well put except for the above quote.

Radio is ALL science. It is only "art" to those who have not taken the time to learn the science.

There are many ways to lay out a circuit board based on a schematic that will all provide equal performance (the science). Knowing how to lay out the circuit board to provide the desired effect while making it more efficient to build and service later is the art.

Wireing a chasis to make it work is science. Laying out the chasis wiring so that it works properly, looks clean and neat, and is easy to service is an art.

The people who fund engineering projects usually do not give
you enough money or more importantly time to make the product
efficient to build or service. Its all rush this rush that. Kinda takes the fun
out of everything. They want to know: How are things coming? Where are you at? When can we expect it to be finished? They get their noses into everything and won't listen.

 

[bsavery]

Winding toroids is no fun, and you are not going to get the parts any cheaper than buying a TV splitter.

If you are really concerned about the difference between 50 ohms and 75 ohms, then open a TV splitter and rewind the toroids. The schematic and all the formulas you need are in the ARRL Handbook.

Ya know.. I'm gonna have to break down and buy that book one of these days!

And I'm not really "concerned" with a little loss with the scanning I do now. One of these days I'll prolly expand past the local systems I've been listening to. I might need every bit of signal I can get then.

No.. as I said... it just strikes me as a bit odd that no one builds a low cost 50ohm, receive only, splitter/combiner for scanners. Everything I've run into is $$$ and rated for transmitting as well.

Hmmm... for that matter... wouldn't you be able to take the cables from 2 antennas, splice them onto 1 single cable, then plug that into your scanner? (or use a BNC T?)

And the old joke goes:
What is AM? Almost Magic
Then what is FM? F-ing Magic!

It is at least 30 years old (and probably a lot more).

Thank you! Old age setting in. I couldn't remember AM! :?

Bob

 

[N_Jay]

No.. as I said... it just strikes me as a bit odd that no one builds a low cost 50ohm, receive only, splitter/combiner for scanners. Everything I've run into is $$$ and rated for transmitting as well.

Hmmm... for that matter... wouldn't you be able to take the cables from 2 antennas, splice them onto 1 single cable, then plug that into your scanner? (or use a BNC T?)

Because there is almost no market for them.

Yes you can splice two transmissions lines together.

But without a lot of study you will get unpredictable results, and with the study you will usually have a hard time getting the desired results.

This has been discussed in several threads. Try searchiung fo9r "Smith Chart"