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K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

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Deni F5VJC

K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

I'd like to build an RF Splitter for my K3 to use my RX loop antenna for
either for diversity reception, connected to AUX RF (BNC) or use it for my
Main RX antenna connected to RX ANT.

I understand there is a suitable RF transformer splitter available from
Mini-Circuits Labs,
ZFSC-2-1-75, but has anyone any details on how to build such a splitter?
Core, windings etc.
Or why not just use a resistive splitter, too much insertion loss?

Anyone any ideas?

73, Deni F5VJC
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

See: http://cliftonlaboratories.com/z10050a_3_db_hybrid.htm

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 9/11/2013 4:20 PM, F5vjc wrote:

> I'd like to build an RF Splitter for my K3 to use my RX loop antenna for
> either for diversity reception, connected to AUX RF (BNC) or use it for my
> Main RX antenna connected to RX ANT.
>
> I understand there is a suitable RF transformer splitter available from
> Mini-Circuits Labs,
> ZFSC-2-1-75, but has anyone any details on how to build such a splitter?
> Core, windings etc.
> Or why not just use a resistive splitter, too much insertion loss?
>
> Anyone any ideas?
>
> 73, Deni F5VJC
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Deni F5VJC

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

In reply to this post by Deni F5VJC

Thanks to all who replied, I now have many ideas and info to work with..

73, Deni F5VJC

On 11 September 2013 22:20, F5vjc <[hidden email]> wrote:

Pete Smith N4ZR

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

I am currently using one of these in my K3's RX IN/OUT loop - works fine.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 9/11/2013 5:38 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
> See: http://cliftonlaboratories.com/z10050a_3_db_hybrid.htm
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 9/11/2013 4:20 PM, F5vjc wrote:
>> I'd like to build an RF Splitter for my K3 to use my RX loop
>> antenna for
>> either for diversity reception, connected to AUX RF (BNC) or use it
>> for my
>> Main RX antenna connected to RX ANT.
>>
>> I understand there is a suitable RF transformer splitter available from
>> Mini-Circuits Labs,
>> ZFSC-2-1-75, but has anyone any details on how to build such a
>> splitter?
>> Core, windings etc.
>> Or why not just use a resistive splitter, too much insertion loss?
>>
>> Anyone any ideas?
>>
>> 73, Deni F5VJC
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

dw-4

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

In reply to this post by Deni F5VJC

Thanks for posting this Pete!
Are you noticing any observable decrease in signal strength with vs
without the hybrid splitter?
If I understand correctly a power splitter with 2 outputs will give 3db
insertion loss.
An RF amp may be added to make up the loss.
I'm wondering how you would describe the signal loss, if you notice any?

Thanks :-]
Duane

Message: 21
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

I am currently using one of these in my K3's RX IN/OUT loop - works
fine.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
--
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Mike K2MK

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

Hi Duane,

I'll jump in with my 2 cents. I use the DXE-RSC-2 splitter from DX Engineering for my Pixel RX loop. One leg goes to the KXV3A RX IN port for the Main RX and the other leg goes to the AUX port for the SUB RX. I think this is what the original poster was trying to accomplish. This would be in non-diversity use. The DX ENGR unit has a 3db per port loss which I'm sure is true. But we pretty much expect RX antennas to have somewhat lower gain than our transmitting antenna. Their advantage is in improved signal to noise ratio. We make adjustments for this by possibly not using the K3 attenuator or by using the K3 pre-amp. Or we use an external amplifier with the RX antenna. By taking these steps an additional loss of 3db signal + noise should not be a show stopper.

73,
Mike K2MK

dw-4 wrote

Thanks for posting this Pete!
Are you noticing any observable decrease in signal strength with vs
without the hybrid splitter?
If I understand correctly a power splitter with 2 outputs will give 3db
insertion loss.
An RF amp may be added to make up the loss.
I'm wondering how you would describe the signal loss, if you notice any?

Thanks :-]
Duane

Message: 21
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

I am currently using one of these in my K3's RX IN/OUT loop - works
fine.

73, Pete N4ZR

wb6rse1

Re: K3 Splitter for Loop RX Antenna ?

A simple BNC T connector (IE "wire-or") from the RX antenna to the KXV3A RX IN and to the AUX IN of the SUB RX works fine. No amplification necessary. In diversity RX, the Main RX switches to my TX vertical and the SUB RX swicthes to the RX Antenna - loop, beverage etc. I had first tried a Magic-T splitter but found it to be unnecssary vs the "T."

It's wise to use a front end protector like an Array Solutions AS-RXFEP in line with the RX Antenna if it's close to the TX antenna. An Preamp like a KD9SV BF981 can also prove useful as well as an Array Solutions W3NQN brick wall Broadcast Band filter if local stations overload the front end on 160.

73 - Steve WB6RSE
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