Splitter for more than one scanner

[sonm10]

I always used a simple cable TV. spliter.
Maybe install a different connector and suffer a bit of signal loss, but I never saw a big loss. Give it a shot.

DW
So. Cal

Myself and several other use the home brew method - preamp before a TV splitter. The splitter usually has quite a bite of loss, which the preamp makes up for.

My setup uses a PGA 103 lna with 20db gain @ antenna. 8 way splitter ~11db loss.


Others also use the electroline which includes the LNA in the splitter.

 

[Bonkk083]

MCA204M, MCA204MIL or MCA202M below
Frequency Range: 25 MHz to 1 GHz 4-Ports
Nominal Impedance: 50 ohm
Port-To-Port isolation (min): 22 dB
Return Loss (all ports): > 20 dB
P1dB = 17 dBm (output) 3OIP = 32 dBm (output
Coupler Gain/Loss: +2 dB to -1 dB (max) over frequency range
RF Connectors: BNC (standard)
Mechanical: 4.375 X 2.375 X 1.250 inches (L.W.H)
Case: Die cast Aluminum, Black powder coating (standard)
DC Power Connector: 2.1/5.5mm coaxial (standard)
DC ower Requirements: +12VDC (nominal) @ 85 mA

How do you read this for as gain or loss

 

[mmckenna]

How do you read this for as gain or loss

Coupler Gain/Loss: +2 dB to -1 dB (max) over frequency range

Roughly speaking, each output port will have between +2dB of gain to -1dB loss. That'll depend on frequency, probably -1dB (a bit of loss) on the higher frequencies or lower frequencies where you are not likely to be listening. 2dB of gain on the common LMR bands is pretty good. You usually don't want more gain than you need.

That's better than an unamplified splitter that would probably have 3.5dB of loss on the scanner port side.

 

[Bonkk083]

Roughly speaking, each output port will have between +2dB of gain to -1dB loss. That'll depend on frequency, probably -1dB (a bit of loss) on the higher frequencies or lower frequencies where you are not likely to be listening. 2dB of gain on the common LMR bands is pretty good. You usually don't want more gain than you need.

That's better than an unamplified splitter that would probably have 3.5dB of loss on the scanner port side.

Would that be okay to use

 

[mmckenna]

Would that be okay to use

Yes. Your existing antenna is working for you, you just want to connect a second scanner to it. An amplified splitter like that will give you a bit of gain, but not too much.

 

[Bonkk083]

Has anyone heard of RG-59 LKG branded coax

 

[KevinC]

Not I, but they import, manufacture and import a ton of stuff...

Home page - LKG Industries, Inc. \ Philmore

 

[Bonkk083]

Not I, but they import, manufacture and import a ton of stuff...

Home page - LKG Industries, Inc. \ Philmore

Would you use that

 

[KevinC]

Would you use that

I have no opinion on their products, either good or bad.

 

[mmckenna]

Has anyone heard of RG-59 LKG branded coax

Is this something you already have, or are you looking to purchase it?

 

[Bonkk083]

Is this something you already have, or are you looking to purchase it?

Purchase, that's what my electronics store has

 

[mmckenna]

Purchase, that's what my electronics store has

If they have it, and they can install appropriate connectors on the cable, then it would be fine. If you need to use adapters to make it work, I'd pass.

You don't want to add unnecessary adapters to make things work. They are a failure point and add loss.
A short run of RG-59 would work.
Find another place that will sell you either RG-58 or RG-6 with the right connectors on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Eightwood-Extension-Oscilloscope-Spectrum-Analyzer/dp/B071H6Q3FV/ref=sr_1_18?crid=ZLQ9MS91YIL7&keywords=RG-58+BNC+jumper&qid=1688426984&sprefix=rg-58+bnc+jump%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-18

 

[Bonkk083]

If they have it, and they can install appropriate connectors on the cable, then it would be fine. If you need to use adapters to make it work, I'd pass.

You don't want to add unnecessary adapters to make things work. They are a failure point and add loss.
A short run of RG-59 would work.
Find another place that will sell you either RG-58 or RG-6 with the right connectors on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Eightwood-Extension-Oscilloscope-Spectrum-Analyzer/dp/B071H6Q3FV/ref=sr_1_18?crid=ZLQ9MS91YIL7&keywords=RG-58+BNC+jumper&qid=1688426984&sprefix=rg-58+bnc+jump%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-18

I think it comes with the connecters and it's 3 feet

 

[mmckenna]

I think it comes with the connecters and it's 3 feet

If the price is right and it does what you need, then go for it.

 

[Bonkk083]

If the price is right and it does what you need, then go for it.

$12.95

 

[mmckenna]

Well, the ones I linked to above are $10.95 and uses RG-400, which is much better cable than RG-59.

While a short run of cable isn't going to make a huge difference, RG-59 is pretty much bottom of the barrel.

 

[mmckenna]

$13.99 for two:

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-RG58-Coaxial-Cable-Connectors/dp/B07SZ4SH2V/ref=sr_1_8?crid=PWRKYN8TSJAA&keywords=BNC+cable+3+feet&qid=1688438459&sprefix=bnc+cable+3+feet%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-8

I've purchased a few things with the Uxcell name and they've, so far, been good.

 

[Edelweiss]

U don't need a multicoupler, a good quality splitter will do fine, especially for only two scanners. I make some x2 and x4 in small series at times so contact me if you're seriously interested. Am using passive 4-ways for years and don't miss anything, really. To use a multicoupler well you need to make a bit of effort and pay a lot as well.

 

[Ubbe]

OP needed splitters without any loss. When you split to two it will be a 3dB loss plus the internal loss in the splitter 0,5dB-1dB and if using a 4 port it will be less than 25% of the signal left for the receiver. It's fine to use passive splitters if everything you listen to have a high signal strength. Usually the amplifiers used for splitters gives a little gain out the splitter and have lower internal noise figure than the scanner so it will actually receive better using amp+splitter than the "naked" coax from the antenna connected directly to a single scanner.

/Ubbe