Yagi and Multiband

[KC2GVX]

Just added this 700-900 Yagi on my mast. I need to combine these two antennas into a Electroline 8-port amp/splitter. Anyone have a good suggestion, or can I just use a basic cable splitter reversed?

 

[N5TWB]

I think your idea on the reversed basic cable splitter has possibilities as long as it comes with some isolation between the ports. The isolation should keep the stronger 7-900 Yagi signal from just blowing out the signals in the same range from the ST-2. What's the goal/reason/problem that requires a Yagi as a solution?

 

[KC2GVX]

For some reason, the ST-2 is deaf on anything above 700 MHz in my location. I am at the lowest point in the development, and all high band signals west of me (3 trunked systems) are deaf. So far, this is allowing me to trunk these systems with the new yagi.

 

[KC2GVX]

I picked up this combiner/splitter off Ebay for $7. It's worth a gamble to see if it works. If not, I will invest in something better than someone here can recommend.

 

[prcguy]

You don't want to use a spliter to combine two antennas with different frequency ranges, you will have at least 3dB and more like 4 to 5dB loss doing so with a TV splitter. You will also have unpredictable performance as the Yagi and Omni will interact when receiving the same signals and they can sometimes arrive out of phase at the splitter and cause cancellation and more loss.

The only way to combine your two antennas is with a diplexer, which will have minimal loss, usually under .5dB and will keep the two antennas from canceling each other out from receiving the same signals in the same band.

I only know of one inexpensive diplexer that will work well in the 800MHz and up range and I don't believe it will work for 700MHz. Check out the Diamond MX37 which works fine from the lower 800MHz range on up for one port and about 500MHz and down for the other port.

There was a guy selling them used on Ebay for a fair price but I can't find the ad at the moment.
prcguy

 

[KC2GVX]

I just checked Ebay, and all I came up with were Satellite and CATV diplexers.

 

[prcguy]

Found the guy: Comet CF 413B 1 3 460 MHz 840 1400 MHz Duplexer with Cables | eBay
prcguy

 

[eddie8965]

Just my 2 pennies for what its worth,and i know everyone has their own setup,but i`ve never had any luck with "combiners" "splitters" etc...they always seem to cut my signal to much...i have better luck with a simple fm trap and a cable/antenna switch to choose between my yagi and a discone...it`s what works for me

 

[KC2GVX]

What kind of connectors does that Comet use? Also, it says it goes to 460, will it still allow 500 MHz signals to come through?

 

[KC4RAF]

Could be wrong, but they look like "F" connectors.

Also, since the splitter you're talking about is that inexpensive, I would go ahead and try it.
You're going to be receive only, so what have you got to loss? And you will have "first hand experience". Just my 2 cents worth of typing. HTH.

 

[KC4RAF]

Could be wrong, but they look like "F" connectors.

My mistake in the top line. I was looking at the pic in post #8. I don't know the connector type to the Comet. Sorry about that....

 

[n5ims]

My mistake in the top line. I was looking at the pic in post #8. I don't know the connector type to the Comet. Sorry about that....

From the picture on eBay, it uses "N" connectors.

 

[cmdrwill]

Just added this 700-900 Yagi on my mast. I need to combine these two antennas into a Electroline 8-port amp/splitter. Anyone have a good suggestion, or can I just use a basic cable splitter reversed?

What type cables are you using?

 

[KC2GVX]

RG-6 with F connection

 

[cmdrwill]

RG-6 with F connection

Go with the Diplexers made for cable TV, as these match the 75 ohm coax and connectors.

 

[prcguy]

Do you have a specific diplexer to look for? The CATV types usually split 0 to 50MHz and 54 to 1GHz for the cable box to communicate back to the head end. A satellite diplexer separates the 54 to 806MHz range and the 950MHz to 2GHz range and does not allow reception of the full 700/800MHz band in either port.
prcguy

Go with the Diplexers made for cable TV, as these match the 75 ohm coax and connectors.

 

[KC2GVX]

I am going to try the comet.