Hi Mark,
As you already mentioned, the 3dB is just the split itself. atop of that, you will get some loss in the actual splitter. There is indeed no way around this 3dB, because thats just what happens when you split the signal into two equal parts. you can minimise the loss though. If you have a pre-amplifier with sufficient gain, you may not actually have to worry too much about this, but without one, all the decibels add up to your noise figure!
So do you have a pre-amplifier? You mentioned not having to pass 12V, but that does not mean you don't have one..;) If you have, dont worry about the power loss in the splitting process.
I am using minicircuits ZFSC-2-1, but thats just a junkbox find without selection.
Wouter PA3WEG
On Fri, Feb 6, 2015 at 2:00 PM, Mark L. Hammond [email protected] wrote:
Hello All,
I am really wishing for a "splitter" for my receiving system, good for both 2M and 70cm (so say, 144-450MHz or so.)
Any suggestions? I really don't to lose 3dB in the process, but fear the only way to avoid that is some powered/amplified system. I recall such a device, but cannot for the life of me think where or the possible source. I do not need to xmit through it; receive only. Also, I do not need to pass 12V to power preamps, etc. So, just a low loss splitter good for 2M and 70cm. SMA, BNC, N connectors--any will work in my shack.
Do folks refer to these as splitters? Combiners? Power splitters? I know about Mini Circuits--that's a sensory overload of stuff to pick through :)
Any pointers to sources or such devices will be welcomed!
Thanks---
-- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb