Stridsberg Engineering

[buddrousa]

No that is the direct site I think the original designer has had Medical issues and the other members of the family are running the company I have seen both complaints and others that have gotten their orders quick.

 

[ALIENRF]

No that is the direct site I think the original designer has had Medical issues and the other members of the family are running the company I have seen both complaints and others that have gotten their orders quick.

awesome! (not the medical issue part), but that makes sense. I appreciate the heads up!

 

[rajames53]

Hey guys,

first post....bare with me

Is stridsbergeng.com the actual legit site? I've read there have been long delays and bad communication with them. Is that still the case? I was looking at buying a ( MCA204MIL/N, 4-ports, N connector on input --- preferably w BNC out ). Do you think it is still worthy trying to order one from that page / site ? Has it always been stuck in the 1980's ? (nothing against it....I like straight to the point/product, but I just wanted to make sure it wasn't redirecting me somewhere else or.....you know).

Appreciate!!

Yes, they are very much in business, and their web site is legit. I had the same concerns about them back in January with all that was being said. I called them and spoke to very nice gentleman about their operation. In a nutshell they are a small Family operated business, they fill orders as they come in and they do not maintain a large stock. I actually believe they build on demand most orders which might explain why some orders are filled quicker than others. I asked if I placed an order what would be the lead time on receiving it and he told me 2-3 weeks, they had a few orders in front me. I received my MCA204M approximately 3 weeks later, the order was well packaged and protected.

Would I buy from them again, yes with no hesitation.

They supply Scanner Master with their products, but they are priced higher than Stridsberg's web site. Also when Scanner Master has them in stock they sell out quickly.

If you still have concerns, call the number on their website, you might have to try several times, but someone will answer eventual.

I believe in supporting American small businesses especially Family owned and operated. They may not be perfect, but I honestly believe they are doing their best to meet their customer's needs.

 

[ALIENRF]

Yes, they are very much in business, and their web site is legit. I had the same concerns about them back in January with all that was being said. I called them and spoke to very nice gentleman about their operation. In a nutshell they are a small Family operated business, they fill orders as they come in and they do not maintain a large stock. I actually believe they build on demand most orders which might explain why some orders are filled quicker than others. I asked if I placed an order what would be the lead time on receiving it and he told me 2-3 weeks, they had a few orders in front me. I received my MCA204M approximately 3 weeks later, the order was well packaged and protected.

Would I buy from them again, yes with no hesitation.

They supply Scanner Master with their products, but they are priced higher than Stridsberg's web site. Also when Scanner Master has them in stock they sell out quickly.

If you still have concerns, call the number on their website, you might have to try several times, but someone will answer eventual.

I believe in supporting American small businesses especially Family owned and operated. They may not be perfect, but I honestly believe they are doing their best to meet their customer's needs.

I really appreciate the confirmation. Yeah, I feel the same way.... Would much rather support the smaller business turning out quality products.

 

[prcguy]

I really appreciate the confirmation. Yeah, I feel the same way.... Would much rather support the smaller business turning out quality products.

I would like to see Stridesberg update their 1980s vintage products to match todays technology with lower noise figure and higher IP1 and IP3 specs and to keep the cheap little amp inside from blowing up as many do. It would just take swapping one part to do this but apparently with the original owner/designer gone there is nobody to do this.

 

[ALIENRF]

I would like to see Stridesberg update their 1980s vintage products to match todays technology with lower noise figure and higher IP1 and IP3 specs and to keep the cheap little amp inside from blowing up as many do. It would just take swapping one part to do this but apparently with the original owner/designer gone there is nobody to do this.

Oh wow, I didn't know this. Hmm, are there better recommendations? I'll have to reconsider going this route.

 

[buddrousa]

I have been running 6 plus stridsbergs for several years with out any problems

 

[prcguy]

My complaint about Stridesberg is their specs are something that would have been good in the 1980s but technology has moved on and prices have come down on better spec LNAs used in the front end of their multicouplers. Stridesberg specs for noise figure are about 3.5dB, 1dB compression point of 17dBm and an IP3 of 32dBm. For that level of compression point and IP3 I would expect the noise figure to be well under 1dB and closer to .5dB these days. Keeping a higher noise figure of 2-3dB I would expect the 1dB compression and IP3 to be at least 10-15dB better than what Stridesberg is still offering.

Then there is the mysterious problem of the amplifier chip in the Stridesbergs failing. Some people have had them repaired to find they fail again in a very short time.

A number of people on RR have built their own multicouplers using MiniCircuits components and I built an 8 output version with much better specs than Stridesberg including probably the best FM trap filter and a front end RF limiter that protects the unit up to 10 watts at the input and the 8-way divider has much better isolation between ports. All parts came from eBay and cost a lot less than a new Stridesberg.

Otherwise I don't know of an off the shelf unit with better specs. It has to exist but probably custom for spook type customers from vendors like MU-DEL.

Here is my simple but really effective 8-way version with much better specs than Stridesberg. Cost me around $250 or so.

 

[ALIENRF]

My complaint about Stridesberg is their specs are something that would have been good in the 1980s but technology has moved on and prices have come down on better spec LNAs used in the front end of their multicouplers. Stridesberg specs for noise figure are about 3.5dB, 1dB compression point of 17dBm and an IP3 of 32dBm. For that level of compression point and IP3 I would expect the noise figure to be well under 1dB and closer to .5dB these days. Keeping a higher noise figure of 2-3dB I would expect the 1dB compression and IP3 to be at least 10-15dB better than what Stridesberg is still offering.

Then there is the mysterious problem of the amplifier chip in the Stridesbergs failing. Some people have had them repaired to find they fail again in a very short time.

A number of people on RR have built their own multicouplers using MiniCircuits components and I built an 8 output version with much better specs than Stridesberg including probably the best FM trap filter and a front end RF limiter that protects the unit up to 10 watts at the input and the 8-way divider has much better isolation between ports. All parts came from eBay and cost a lot less than a new Stridesberg.

Otherwise I don't know of an off the shelf unit with better specs. It has to exist but probably custom for spook type customers from vendors like MU-DEL.

Here is my simple but really effective 8-way version with much better specs than Stridesberg. Cost me around $250 or so.

View attachment 199459

That looks pretty amazing. I appreciate you sharing the knowledge. Is there a parts kit you can share? So, yours has better specs? Where is the best place to source quality parts?

 

[prcguy]

That looks pretty amazing. I appreciate you sharing the knowledge. Is there a parts kit you can share? So, yours has better specs? Where is the best place to source quality parts?

Minicircuits makes the amplifier, divider and FM trap on the unit shown above and the RF limiter is an HP/Agilent. If you sourced all the parts new your looking at least $1500 but the parts come up used or new surplus all the time for a fraction of the cost. I can post the part # I used if that would help.

 

[ALIENRF]

Got it, yeah..... That would be cool! Or you can pm (either way). I'd be curious (even if I can't go that route). I was looking for the 'easy button' , but... Still curious.

 

[Ubbe]

If you live in a location with high RF interference from nearby strong transmitters, like prcguy, then you'll have to choose components wisely. But if you are an average scanner listener you can probably get by using much cheaper components. A good strong signal handling amplifier from Ebay costs $20 and then a 1-4 CATV splitter will have some 10-20dB isolation between ports and a 7dB attenuation.

Amplifier will have some 15dB gain at 800MHz and 22dB at 100MHz so will need additional attenuation of 8-15dB. There are fixed attenuators of different values that can be inserted between amp and splitter but you could also use a 1-8 splitter that will have a 10dB attenuation on its outputs and then connect a 1-2 splitter that will give an additional 4dB attenuation and that output might be possible to be used with some receivers at certain frequency bands. But one output of that 1-2 splitter can also be connect to another 1-2 splitter to reduce the signal by another 4dB and then another 1-2 splitter connected to that to give a 4dB lower signal and each splitter output can be tested to see what the receiver can handle using different signal levels.

A FM broadcast filter are always good to have as it is the sum of all interfering signals that matter and if you monitor VHF Air you have to look for a filter that doesn't attenuate much at 118MHz.

A standard dipole antenna have a natural impedance of 75 ohm and cheap but good RG6 coax are also 75 ohm as well as CATV splitters and a scanner are all over the place in impedance. Even if you have a 50 ohm device the SWR would be 1:1,5 between 50 and 75 ohm so not much to worry about as most antennas are probably worse than that.

Use pigtal coaxes with the correct connectors at each end to connect everything together and also to your scanners.

Total cost less than $100. You can let Stridsberg build 1-8 $300 combiner for you but it will have worse specifications.

/Ubbe

 

[ALIENRF]

If you live in a location with high RF interference from nearby strong transmitters, like prcguy, then you'll have to choose components wisely. But if you are an average scanner listener you can probably get by using much cheaper components. A good strong signal handling amplifier from Ebay costs $20 and then a 1-4 CATV splitter will have some 10-20dB isolation between ports and a 7dB attenuation.

Amplifier will have some 15dB gain at 800MHz and 22dB at 100MHz so will need additional attenuation of 8-15dB. There are fixed attenuators of different values that can be inserted between amp and splitter but you could also use a 1-8 splitter that will have a 10dB attenuation on its outputs and then connect a 1-2 splitter that will give an additional 4dB attenuation and that output might be possible to be used with some receivers at certain frequency bands. But one output of that 1-2 splitter can also be connect to another 1-2 splitter to reduce the signal by another 4dB and then another 1-2 splitter connected to that to give a 4dB lower signal and each splitter output can be tested to see what the receiver can handle using different signal levels.

A FM broadcast filter are always good to have as it is the sum of all interfering signals that matter and if you monitor VHF Air you have to look for a filter that doesn't attenuate much at 118MHz.

A standard dipole antenna have a natural impedance of 75 ohm and cheap but good RG6 coax are also 75 ohm as well as CATV splitters and a scanner are all over the place in impedance. Even if you have a 50 ohm device the SWR would be 1:1,5 between 50 and 75 ohm so not much to worry about as most antennas are probably worse than that.

Use pigtal coaxes with the correct connectors at each end to connect everything together and also to your scanners.

Total cost less than $100. You can let Stridsberg build 1-8 $300 combiner for you but it will have worse specifications.

/Ubbe

Thank you ...looking over what you typed up. I appreciate it (researching)

 

[n4jri]

I think I blew up an 8-way because I had a 30-watt FM rig with its antenna across the car trunk from my receiver antenna. Glad to hear they're in business, because I'd like to try and get it repaired.

In the meantime, I think that Ubbe's solution looks pretty good for a scanner situation. Lots of good starting points in that post.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[nomis]

I ordered from Stridsberg over 2 weeks ago. I'm experiencing the dead silence from them on this order, too. No emails, calls to their business line go unanswered. Paypal sent the money same day, that's all I have as proof of this purchase.
It's very frustrating to be out $600, not knowing if I lost the cash or if it's an order that will eventually be shipped.
does anyone know of other companies that seel similar equipment?
I will purchase from them if they exist, as long as customer service is top priority.

 

[ALIENRF]

I ordered from Stridsberg over 2 weeks ago. I'm experiencing the dead silence from them on this order, too. No emails, calls to their business line go unanswered. Paypal sent the money same day, that's all I have as proof of this purchase.
It's very frustrating to be out $600, not knowing if I lost the cash or if it's an order that will eventually be shipped.
does anyone know of other companies that seel similar equipment?
I will purchase from them if they exist, as long as customer service is top priority.

I sent a couple of emails about a month ago and I still haven't received a response from them.

I can't send money to a company that won't won't reply to a message. I can't bring myself to pay for something unless I know they are still in business.

(Unfortunately)

 

[nomis]

I sent a couple of emails about a month ago and I still haven't received a response from them.

I can't send money to a company that won't won't reply to a message. I can't bring myself to pay for something unless I know they are still in business.

(Unfortunately)

I've tried calling but their answering service says " mailbox is full, you can not leave a message ".
I'm disappointed but also hoping they're not going through some personal health or family matters that have impacted their business.

Does anyone here know how to go about canceling a PayPal payment to this company?

 

[skywarrior]

My complaint about Stridesberg is their specs are something that would have been good in the 1980s but technology has moved on and prices have come down on better spec LNAs used in the front end of their multicouplers. Stridesberg specs for noise figure are about 3.5dB, 1dB compression point of 17dBm and an IP3 of 32dBm. For that level of compression point and IP3 I would expect the noise figure to be well under 1dB and closer to .5dB these days. Keeping a higher noise figure of 2-3dB I would expect the 1dB compression and IP3 to be at least 10-15dB better than what Stridesberg is still offering.

Then there is the mysterious problem of the amplifier chip in the Stridesbergs failing. Some people have had them repaired to find they fail again in a very short time.

A number of people on RR have built their own multicouplers using MiniCircuits components and I built an 8 output version with much better specs than Stridesberg including probably the best FM trap filter and a front end RF limiter that protects the unit up to 10 watts at the input and the 8-way divider has much better isolation between ports. All parts came from eBay and cost a lot less than a new Stridesberg.

Otherwise I don't know of an off the shelf unit with better specs. It has to exist but probably custom for spook type customers from vendors like MU-DEL.

Here is my simple but really effective 8-way version with much better specs than Stridesberg. Cost me around $250 or so.

View attachment 199459

Hi,
Can you list each component that you used to make up this splitter?
Thanks

 

[prcguy]

Hi,
Can you list each component that you used to make up this splitter?
Thanks

The 8-way splitter and FM trap filter part #s are visible in the picture. The amplifier is a MiniCircuits ZHL-2010+ and the RF limiter is an HP/Agilent similar to this. HP Agilent 5086-7283 0 to 1.8 GHz, 10 W CW, SMA (M-F) Coaxial Limiter. Tested! | eBay. There should also be an attenuator between the amp and splitter and about 8dB should be good to give an overall gain around 2dB. I put a micro circuit breaker in line with the amplifier power and that’s about a 1.4A breaker.

All the parts in the picture were purchased used or new old stock from eBay at considerable discount.

 

[nomis]

FYI-
PayPal sent notice today that my Stridsberg order was on its way.

The experience with Stridsberg has been a bad one. No communication, emails and calls go unanswered. I was going to contact PayPal to dispute this purchase since almost 3 weeks had passed and no order information had been posted.

It's a mixed feeling of relief, guilt and frustration dealing with Stridsberg. They seem to be the benchmark for equipment we need, but their business professionalism can use a serious upgrade. They have a following! They shouldn't ruin their reputation at the cost of their followers and business. I want them to figure it out so they can keep their business viable while also giving us top quality components.

I'll update this thread ONCE the shipment and all ordered components are accounted for.
Yes, I am happy that my patience and understanding ended with a positive outcome. This experience is being shared for you who may be dealing with a similar situation or plan on buying from them in the future.