Looking for a VHF/UHF Combiner

[dfecarter]

I am trying to combine signals from my Televes Deep fringe UHF antenna and a newark electronics VHF antenna.
Have tried stellar labs, and another one from amazon ($20) IIClipsal and in both instances I experienced about 15-20 % signal loss. Any recommendations.

 

[FTA4PA]

I am trying to combine signals from my Televes Deep fringe UHF antenna and a newark electronics VHF antenna.
Have tried stellar labs, and another one from amazon ($20) IIClipsal and in both instances I experienced about 15-20 % signal loss. Any recommendations.

Have not used one yet but these are supposed to be very good.

Amazon product ASIN B08R449JG2View: https://www.amazon.com/Televes-560483-Amplifier-F-Fitting-Connections/dp/B08R449JG2

 

[primestar31]

Have not used one yet but these are supposed to be very good.

Amazon product ASIN B08R449JG2View: https://www.amazon.com/Televes-560483-Amplifier-F-Fitting-Connections/dp/B08R449JG2

That's a dual preamp, NOT a simple UVSJ combiner.

dfecarter I just put the Clipsal UVSJ in my setup the other day, it's not hurting the signal at all. It's POWER PASSING on BOTH Uhf and VHF. IF the Televes is the Dat Boss LR antenna with a built-in preamp, it'll pass power to it. I use one myself.

IF the Newark VHF antenna is passive (NO preamp), it'll short out because it'll also pass the power from the Televes power inserter up to that side. Look at the instructions that came with the Clipsal. There's a coil inside that you can clip the end on the VHF side, and it will stop passing power up to it. That should solve your problem.

OR, you can put a Dc block (looks like an attenuator) on the VHF side, if you have one handy.

 

[FTA4PA]

That's a dual preamp, NOT a simple UVSJ combiner.

dfecarter I just put the Clipsal UVSJ in my setup the other day, it's not hurting the signal at all. It's POWER PASSING on BOTH Uhf and VHF. IF the Televes is the Dat Boss LR antenna with a built-in preamp, it'll pass power to it. I use one myself.

IF the Newark VHF antenna is passive (NO preamp), it'll short out because it'll also pass the power from the Televes power inserter up to that side. Look at the instructions that came with the Clipsal. There's a coil inside that you can clip the end on the VHF side, and it will stop passing power up to it. That should solve your problem.

OR, you can put a Dc block (looks like an attenuator) on the VHF side, if you have one handy.

The Televes product page is VERY misleading then because they absolutely do say you can combine ANY two antennas using it.

https://global.televes.com/pdf/index.php?store=us&sku=560483

 

[primestar31]

The Televes product page is VERY misleading then because they absolutely do say you can combine ANY two antennas using it.

https://global.televes.com/pdf/index.php?store=us&sku=560483

You can, however as I said, it's a dual preamp. A UVSJ (Uhf VHF splitter-joiner) is a passive device that has nearly no loss. The OP does NOT need a preamp combiner, he needs a UVSJ.

 

[FTA4PA]

You can, however as I said, it's a dual preamp. A UVSJ (Uhf VHF splitter-joiner) is a passive device that has nearly no loss. The OP does NOT need a preamp combiner, he needs a UVSJ.

I get what you mean. Just saying IMHO Televes should me a little more informative about actual usage and requirements if they are expecting upwards of $100 out of you.

 

[Tower Guy]

I’d give this one a try;

Antennas Direct UHF VHF TV Antenna Combiner, Weatherproof Enclosure, Black

Antennas Direct | Combine a UHF antenna and a VHF antenna with this combiner to receive both signals in the same coaxial downlead. Learn More.

store.antennasdirect.com

 

[John Nv]

I use a Stellar Labs 33-2230 to combine my separate UHF and VHF antennas, and it works great. I have it inside the house near my TV because my UHF antenna is on the roof peak, and the VHF is in my back yard.

 

[MartyDe]

Would this work?

Radio Shack 2 set UHF/VHF/FM Hybrid Splitter Combiner Coax | eBay

We Also provide prompt communication.

www.ebay.com

 

[primestar31]

Would this work?

Radio Shack 2 set UHF/VHF/FM Hybrid Splitter Combiner Coax | eBay

We Also provide prompt communication.

www.ebay.com

I don't think that's power-passing, and for sure, the Televes antenna he's using has a built-in preamp that needs power to get to it through the coax.

 

[dfecarter]

thanks guys, I actually am going to try the antennas direct, I've been pretty happy with their VHF retro fit antenna dipole which has a built in combiner.
Although the VHF signal strength was a bit weak compared to the newark vhf antenna. I was interested in both the CM and RS combiners but they did seem readily available.

 

[dfecarter]

I also may try to introduce the combiner after the televes power supply, indoors.

 

[Tower Guy]

Would this work?

Radio Shack 2 set UHF/VHF/FM Hybrid Splitter Combiner Coax | eBay

We Also provide prompt communication.

www.ebay.com

That Radio Shack device is a simple splitter that works for VHF-FM-UHF. It won’t add VHF and UHF antennas efficiently.

 

[Supperdave78629]

I am trying to combine signals from my Televes Deep fringe UHF antenna and a newark electronics VHF antenna.
Have tried stellar labs, and another one from amazon ($20) IIClipsal and in both instances I experienced about 15-20 % signal loss. Any recommendations.

If one are both of the antennas are amplified you need to install a splitter after the power supplies. A simple wide band two way splitter will work installed backwards as a combiner. Also all cables to the two antennas must be length match to exact same length. This stops ghosting of signals picked up by both antennas. Matching the length of coax between preamps and antennas,as well as between preamps and combiner, assure that signals from both sources reach the combiner at the exact same time!

 

[Foxbat]

Ideally, combining the signals from two separate antennas working in different bands (VHF & UHF) there won’t be any overlapping signal band so the phase and ghosting shouldn’t be an issue.

Besides, if one antenna is amplified, your “equal lengths of cable” rule needs to take into account the amplifier delay (every nanosecond is approximately one foot of wire).

 

[MartyDe]

That Radio Shack device is a simple splitter that works for VHF-FM-UHF. It won’t add VHF and UHF antennas efficiently.

I'm not so sure about that. Here's some old specs taken from an Amazon comment. It also states there is a DC connection on the UHF port.

Copied from An Antennas Tech from St Louis, MO (Antenna Professional, Business Owner, Hobbyist)

RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store

The Shack Is Back! Shop Radios, Headphones, TV Antennas, Cables & Adapters, DIY Tools & Parts, Electronics Maker Kits, and much more brand new arrivals daily! Don't forget to visit any of our 450+ RadioShack locations across America!

www.radioshack.com

Comments about RadioShack VHF/UHF Gold-Plated Splitter-Combiner:

This device, 15-2586, as several other reviewers have stated, is for a VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE. While it "looks" like a regular splitter, it is not and should not be used for that purpose. It is intended SOLELY to either separate or to combine (it is a reciprocal device) two ranges of channels: VHF (below 300 MHz and UHF (above 350 MHZ).

A sample of this device was lab tested and found to have the following attributes:

Rejection 54-300 MHz greater than 35 dB
Rejection 470-1000 MHz greater than 32 db
Insertion loss 54-220 MHz less than 0.5 dB
Insertion loss 470-1000 less than 1.2 dB (average .75)

This device will pass DC power on the UHF port.

The most typical application for this device is to combine separate UHF and VHF antennas.

It is NOT to be used for the following:
Combining antenna and cable or satellite signals.
Splitting antenna, cable, or satellite signals to multiple TV sets or receivers.

In all, a technically good device. Unfortunately, the specifications and descriptions on this web site were written by someone without the technical expertise to explain this device. Hopefully, this will help!
Read less

 

[Jim5506]

Combining antennas with a simple splitter can actually reduce the signal to your TV because not only does the signal for down to the TV but it also goes to the other antenna - losing you 1/2 of the signal from that antenna. It only works when the antennas are identical, are pointed in the same direction and have equal length cables to the splitter.

You need a device that filters out the VHF on one leg and the UHF on the other and prevents the signal from one antenna being sent to the other antenna. These are the UVSJ that has been discussed and if one or both antennas have amplifiers built in, the UVSJ must pass current to the antenna to power the amplifier.

 

[Tower Guy]

I stand corrected. The Radio Shack device sounds like a true UVSJ.

Meanwhile, I endorse Jim5606’s advice for equal cable lengths matters only for identical antennas aimed in the same direction.

Also, as Jim5506 advises, UHF and VHF antennas should always be combined in a UVSJ, and never a backwards splitter.

 

[primestar31]

Would this work?

Radio Shack 2 set UHF/VHF/FM Hybrid Splitter Combiner Coax | eBay

We Also provide prompt communication.

www.ebay.com

15-2586

I stand corrected. The Radio Shack device sounds like a true UVSJ.

Meanwhile, I endorse Jim5606’s advice for equal cable lengths matters only for identical antennas aimed in the same direction.

Also, as Jim5506 advises, UHF and VHF antennas should always be combined in a UVSJ, and never a backwards splitter.

Tower Guy Don't be so quick to be corrected. That device he posted IS a splitter. It is most decidely NOT the model 15-2586 UVSJ combiner. RS made a few different ones just to confuse (or con) people.

THIS is the 15-2586 here. I KNOW that for a fact, because I have a stash of 12 of them in my parts box. I bought a bunch just before RS went under. Notice that THIS one is clearly marked as a 15-2586: Amazon product ASIN B001VLPQ6KView: https://www.amazon.com/Radioshack-Combiner-150-2586-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B001VLPQ6K

 

[MartyDe]

Tower Guy Don't be so quick to be corrected. That device he posted IS a splitter. It is most decidely NOT the model 15-2586 UVSJ combiner. RS made a few different ones just to confuse (or con) people.

THIS is the 15-2586 here. I KNOW that for a fact, because I have a stash of 12 of them in my parts box. I bought a bunch just before RS went under. Notice that THIS one is clearly marked as a 15-2586: Amazon product ASIN B001VLPQ6KView: https://www.amazon.com/Radioshack-Combiner-150-2586-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B001VLPQ6K

Mike I'm a little confused. What I posted was from the ratings section of your link. It's the 7th rating listed.

"Copied from An Antennas Tech from St Louis, MO (Antenna Professional, Business Owner, Hobbyist)

RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store

The Shack Is Back! Shop Radios, Headphones, TV Antennas, Cables & Adapters, DIY Tools & Parts, Electronics Maker Kits, and much more brand new arrivals daily! Don't forget to visit any of our 450+ RadioShack locations across America!

www.radioshack.com

Comments about RadioShack VHF/UHF Gold-Plated Splitter-Combiner:

This device, 15-2586, as several other reviewers have stated, is for a VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE. While it "looks" like a regular splitter, it is not and should not be used for that purpose. It is intended SOLELY to either separate or to combine (it is a reciprocal device) two ranges of channels: VHF (below 300 MHz and UHF (above 350 MHZ).

A sample of this device was lab tested and found to have the following attributes:

Rejection 54-300 MHz greater than 35 dB
Rejection 470-1000 MHz greater than 32 db
Insertion loss 54-220 MHz less than 0.5 dB
Insertion loss 470-1000 less than 1.2 dB (average .75)

This device will pass DC power on the UHF port.

The most typical application for this device is to combine separate UHF and VHF antennas.

It is NOT to be used for the following:
Combining antenna and cable or satellite signals.
Splitting antenna, cable, or satellite signals to multiple TV sets or receivers.

In all, a technically good device. Unfortunately, the specifications and descriptions on this web site were written by someone without the technical expertise to explain this device. Hopefully, this will help!"
Read less