Most of the regular splitters first mentioned are basically transformers with one side if each winding connected to the case ground so they don’t work because they short out the 5 VDC on the receiver’s antenna coax. You have to be aware of the D.C. voltage to power the antenna plus have fake antenna load resistors on the other ports to prevent error messages.
The cheapest non-powered splitter is probably the F connector Steren 4-way 2.4Ghz splitter made for TV use at $6-$9 each (like eBay # 254474121010). Their model 201-234 passes 1 port and couples the other 3 ports with capacitors. I found I could just pry the back cover off the splitter and solder a 200-330 ohm resistor across each isolated outputs to prevent the receivers on those ports from giving an open antenna alarm. Those receivers would still work without the resistors but I couldn’t stand the error message so I installed the load resistors. Mini-Circuits has made dedicated GPS splitters that have built-in amps to compensate for losses and the ones I have work quite well. The 5 port one has a Lucent part number and was made for Telco use with 2 power ports and 3 isolated ports to which I added 280 ohm resistors. You will find these on eBay occasionally for far less than the HP versions. One of my GPS antennas goes to a WR Incorporated 8-way externally powered splitter with load resistors built in. So there are a number of options for GPS splitters but they may not be that common. However, just today I bought another of the 5 port Mini-Circuits ones on eBay so they do turn up. https://oi906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/rjb1998/GPS%20splitters%202_zpspobtp7cf.jpg https://oi906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/rjb1998/GPS%20splitters_zpsbitr26xx.jpg _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
