Length of Coax Cable with T for Antenna

[FM902]

I have a question regarding length of coax cable for the best reception. We are using a heavy gauge low loss coax cable....

We are currently in a 1 story building here at work and need to listen to low band and UHF-Hi. We would like to hook up 2 scanners in 2 different locations (see pic below)

My question is where is the best place to put the T splitter in the coax run? Would it be better to tap in to where the red is or does it need to be in the center of the split to have the same reception at 2 locations.

If we split it further down the line, will this make reception worse because there is more coax for the signal to go?

*or*

If we split it where the red is, will the 1st scanner in the line get all the reception leaving the 2nd scanner down the road with less?

Any info will be greatly appricated!

 

[N_Jay]

Use a splitter not a "T".
Keep the total length as short as practical.
Use the lowest loss cable practical.

 

[k9rzz]

It won't matter where you split it, but the more coax used, the more loss there is. If one scanner is fed with less coax, it will receive better.

If you use a T connector, each scanner will get half the signal (signals will be half as loud). Buy a 'splitter'.

http://www.grove-ent.com/SPL2.html

 

[N_Jay]

If you use a T connector, each scanner will get half the signal (signals will be half as loud). Buy a 'splitter'.

If you use a "T" each scanner will get a random signal level based on the frequencies, the length of the cable, and the impedance mismatches. (BAD idea)

If you use a (good) splitter, each scanner will get about 1/2 the signal (less line losses). (good)

Signal strength has nothing to do with how loud it is on an FM system.

 

[k8tmk]

Coaxial cable loss is generally specified as dB (decibel) loss per so many (usually 100) feet at given frequencies. The higher the frequency, the greater the loss. You want to find a table for your cable which shows the loss near the UHF-HI frequency you are interested in. The low-band loss will be insignificant compared to the UHF-HI loss. Then, as another person in this thread indicated, the scanner which has a longer cable will receive a "weaker" signal than the other scanner. However, how much weaker depends upon how much longer one cable is than the other; if you are talking a few feet, it probably won't make much difference.

I agree that you should use a splitter. A good TV splitter will work fine because it is already designed to work over a very wide range of frequencies. Just be sure to use the proper connectors on the cable ends at the splitter (typically called "F" connectors). No cludges please!

Another area of concern is that TV splitters are designed to be used with 75-ohm cable. If you use 50-ohm cable for your scanners, there will be some additional loss due to the mismatch.

Randy