Multiple Scanners using one antenna?

[gmclam]

• Cheapest solution, a decent "cable TV splitter" but you'll get a little over 7dB of loss to each scanner from the antenna.
• Next choice is to add a low noise amp before the splitter. Radio Shack used to sell one that worked well for $20. Not sure what's out there now.
• Best solution is the 4 or 8 port Stridesberg multi-couplers. However, if you are near a strong RF source (AM/FM broadcast, cell/paging towers) you'll want to filter that out before feeding the antenna into the multi-coupler.

 

[N9JIG]

I am a HUGE fan of the Stridsbergs, I have half a dozen and they never have disappointed. I wholeheartedly recommend them.

With that said, they are not cheap of course and there are some alternatives.

You could use a splitter for stuff that is completely local as it reduces signals to the radio, sometimes pretty dramatically. If you are listening to stuff close by you should be fine. TV splitters and the SP-1300 mentioned earlier will give fairly similar results.

You can also use TV distribution amps or a TV splitter with an amp to cover the loss. They work surprisingly well for scanners as the frequency ranges mesh well. You care going to need either adapters or custom made cables (what I did when I used some of these...)

 

[Ubbe]

I bought a Stridsberg 1-4 version 20 years ago and where never really satisfied with it. I tried it at diferent locations with different types of antennas. It seems to overload and de-sense too much. I didn't use it for 10 years but started to do so again 6 months ago. I have two other CATV splitters running as well and the Stridsberg has more interferenceis coming out of it and signals vary in strenght more than usual.

I took the Stridsberg off the system last week and replaced it with a 1-6 CATV splitter as I needed 5 ports, and used a PGA103+ amplifier directly connected and there was a noticable improvement with less interference and a stronger more steady signal. I use 1 meter RG6 coaxes from splitter to receivers and only use the attenuation that the splitter gives, without any overload issues on any receiver. But I only have low level signals in my area.

Stridsberg are an easy plug&play unit that can be used by anyone, but there could be other and less costly solutions if you are able to connect things together by yourself and understand that more gain are not always the best solution and often needs some sort of additional attenuation from a 15dB amplifier. Stridsberg seems to have something like a 3-4dB noise figure so if you are able to use a 0,5dB noise figure amplifier it will improve the signal by that difference in NF.

/Ubbe

 

[gmclam]

I bought a Stridsberg 1-4 version 20 years ago and where never really satisfied with it. I tried it at diferent locations with different types of antennas. It seems to overload and de-sense too much.

You MUST add a filter to remove "strong signals" before the multi-coupler input. I am using one of these to remove AM/FM brodcast. They are surprising strong even though not immediately close to me.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I use an RF limiter with my stridsberg.

 

[Ubbe]

You MUST add a filter to remove "strong signals" before the multi-coupler input.

I use Stridsbergs own FM trapfilter, although it attenuates too much at 80Mhz and 120MHz. I use HPN30118 at another splitter and works much better for me, in my unique RF enviroment.

/Ubbe

 

[Hit_Factor]

I use a HP/Agilent 5086-7746

 

[Gymbag]

I have searched through here and have come up with numerous answers. Just wondering what an inexpensive way would be to handle this situation using a splitter or multi coupler? Ideally I'd like to see pics or have a link. Either post here or send me a private message. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gymbag]

Just wondering what people are using to accomplish this. I currently run about 6 scanners with 6 different antennas on my balcony. Getting a little bit of heat from my building super about the number of antennas. Just wondering what other people are doing/using?

 

[gary123]

In the past I have taken the input antenna fed it into an amplified cable splitter and then coupled each output to a different scanner. The 75 ohm mismatch is not super critical for scanners. With the ampilified signal you may get some overload so pay attention to the signal levels you have and maybe consider filtering. if you in a big city you may be able to go with a non amplified siganl and just use a high gain antenna. A bit of experiments will let you know what works best. Another option is that you can have an antenna or two inside where no one can see it for strong local systems.

 

[laidback]

RG6 and a cable tv splitter is just what the Dr. would order.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Not for 6 scanners. The 75 ohm mismatch would be another problem.

 

[laidback]

Not for 6 scanners. The 75 ohm mismatch would be another problem.

I guess the 9 I have on one antenna should'nt be working. I will have to shut some off. Lol

 

[Gymbag]

I guess the 9 I have on one antenna should'nt be working. I will have to shut some off. Lol

What type of splitter are you using and do you have a photo or a link you could share

 

[a417]

Stridsberg Multicouplers - not just your average CATV splitters.

 

[buddrousa]

I have searched through here and have come up with numerous answers. Just wondering what an inexpensive way would be to handle this situation using a splitter or multi coupler? Ideally I'd like to see pics or have a link. Either post here or send me a private message. Thanks in advance.

16 Scanners 1 antenna, 2 8 channel STRIDSBERGS, 1 4 channel STRIDSBERG thats 18 ports NO LOSS NO AMP not junk.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

16 Scanners 1 antenna, 2 8 channel STRIDSBERGS, 1 4 channel STRIDSBERG thats 18 ports NO LOSS NO AMP not junk.

Nice Rack!!

Any pictures of the antenna/s you are using and the splitter setup?

 

[buddrousa]

The antenna is a ST2 multicouplers are behind the scanners

 

[N9JIG]

I am running 16 Uniden scanners (8 BCT15, 4 BCT15X and 4 BCD996P2), 4 GRE PSR600's and an R8500 (All in my server rack) off of a single ST-2 in my attic.

I have the antenna feeding a Stridsberg 4-port MCA204 multicoupler. This in turn serves 2 Stridsberg 8-port MCA208's going to to the 16 Uniden scanners. Then there is a MCA804 4-port 7/800 MHz. multicoupler feeding the 4 PSR600's. The remaining port on the MCA204 goes to the R8500.

This seems to be working very well, I have had it this way for a few weeks and have had no issues. I really cannot tell any difference with the antenna directly connected to the scanner or thru the 2 multicouplers.

I also have an additional 8-port MCA208 mounted on the rear of my 4-scanner desk mount serving my SDS200, SDS100, 2 BCD996XT's and a PSR400 on my desk. It goes to another ST-2 in the attic.