PCT MA2-4P Drop Amplifier

[ezdropper]

Just picked up one of these to split a discone scanner antenna on the roof to 3 scanners. The first 2 scanners will be 10 feet from the drop amp, the other one will be 50 feet. I also plan on using an F type 75 ohm terminator on the last empty port. Just wondering if anyone has had good or bad experiences with these type of drop amps.

 

[KevinC]

I've had good luck with that exact model. Just keep in mind it has 8 dB gain at each port and sometimes that's not a good thing.

 

[737mech]

l would also respond the same, that’s a lot of db gain that might overload your scanners. That’s why I use the 8 port versions that only boost 4db or less. The concept is to only compensate for the split loss. If your system needs a boost think about doing a LNA up at the antenna. Prcguy is the guy to ask he knows all about this. Not sure what specific you try to scan but you might find better results with FM traps or other bandpass filters?

 

[ezdropper]

So far the drop amp is working great, boosting the signals up pretty good. Now to replace the lossy RG58 cable running from the antenna to the drop amp with something better.

 

[Ubbe]

So far the drop amp is working great, boosting the signals up pretty good. Now to replace the lossy RG58 cable running from the antenna to the drop amp with something better.

Use RG6 that you can get 100ft for $10. But then that 8dB gain might be noticed and create overload. You can use a variable attenuator to check where the sweet spot are to attenuate just enough of the signal. Then get either 3dB or 6dB attenuators, the 3dB can be use 2 in series, or any other dB value. They shouldn't be more than $5 each and usually a lot cheaper as second hand.

Archer: TV - VCR Signal Overload Attenuator - Used | eBay

Holland Electronics FAM-XX Inline Attenuators-Various Db Values | eBay

In-line attenuators can be inserted in coaxial cable feeds to reduce signal levels. Combinations of attenuators may be used together to create the exact signal loss needed.

www.ebay.com

/Ubbe