>> >> I made an isotee today by cutting off the central pin in a F-M-F >> tee. I measured the attenuation by comparing the power through the >> tee to the power that escapes from the isotee port. With the central >> pin cut off flush with the dielectric the attenuation is about 38 >> dB. With the central pin removed entirely the attenuation is about >> 71 dB. The sampling port on my Bird can be adjusted from about 46 to >> 51 dB.
Another idea to add on that someone did at one of my former jobs was to put a barrel connector on the male port that is isolated. As you thread the barrel in and out, you get a somewhat variable attenuator, basically continuous from the 38 up to near that 71 you measured.
