I'm toying with the idea of trying to share a single PCTEL GPS antenna three-ways. I would prefer to NOT have to put up three different GPS antennas, have three different feed lines coming into the shack, et al. Need to feed: 1) GPSDO (currently a re-purposed Nortel unit) 5VDC spec antenna 2) NTP Stratum 1 server (Raspberry Pi-based) Pretty sure a 3.3VDC antenna 3) Blitzortung System BLUE lightning detection/reporting station. 3.3VDC antenna PCTEL GPS-TMG-HR-26N antenna is a 5VDC nominal (40mA @ 5VDC) HOWEVER the spec sheet shows it functions from 3.3VDC to 12 VDC using a regulated supply, and a "survival voltage" of 24 VDC. Now, I have heard of folks running antennas that function on 12VDC on a straight splitter with no DC blocking, but that doesn't "sit right" with the OCD over-engineer part of me. Here are the 3 options: 1) 3-way split, no DC blocking 2) 3-way split with DC blocking on 3.3VDC devices. 3) 3-way split with DC blocking on all three devices AND DC injection after the split with a chosen regulated DC voltage based on best gain vs. minimized noise. Leaning toward Option #3 because I don't intend to use the old NORTEL unit forever... and it's replacement may well NOT be a 5VDC device... And I suspect that efficiency drops rapidly below 5VDC. That way, nothing changes from splitter to antenna regardless of what device I put in place for GPSDO, NTP server, et al... Cable run will be approximately 53 feet from devices to top of 38 foot mast right outside the shack (top of pole used at one corner of 80m loop; loop is suspended 10 foot laterally away from mast). I know splitting the signal is likely NOT "time Nuts approved" approach, but I'd like to try it anyway... and putting the antenna up high in an all but unobstructed 360 degree view, and using a low-loss feed-line should allow sufficient signal for all devices. (I hope) Any suggestions for a 3 port DC blocked splitter, or other part(s) and some part to use for DC injection? I can handle the linear regulated supply. <wink> Thanks! -- ______________________ Clay Autery, KY5G (318) 518-1389

Thank you one and all for all the help and suggestions. I've got an HP 58516A w/external DC input option on the way. Now to find a proper N-male terminator for the unused port, and start gathering up cable and connectors to hook it all up. <smile> ______________________ Clay Autery, KY5G MONTAC Enterprises (318) 518-1389 On 8/14/2017 9:22 AM, Clay Autery wrote: > I'm toying with the idea of trying to share a single PCTEL GPS antenna > three-ways. > >

Clay Antennas can be shared through splitters. I have an 8 port satellite TV splitter. Auto sense DC and DC blocking. Inexpensive and on ebay and amazon. Interestingly 8 ports is never enough when your a time-nut. So you can do the same simply come off of one of your new ports from the splitter. I added an amplifier to correct for the 16 db of loss in the 8 port splitter. Most modern antennas have quite a bit of gain so with good feed line (I use 1/2" hardline) You may not need the amplifier. I am quite interested in your blitzertung perhaps we could correspond directly. Regards Paul WB8TSL On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 1:41 PM, Clay Autery <cautery@montac.com> wrote: > Thank you one and all for all the help and suggestions. > > I've got an HP 58516A w/external DC input option on the way. Now to > find a proper N-male terminator for the unused port, and start gathering > up cable and connectors to hook it all up. <smile> > > ______________________ > Clay Autery, KY5G > MONTAC Enterprises > (318) 518-1389 > > On 8/14/2017 9:22 AM, Clay Autery wrote: > > I'm toying with the idea of trying to share a single PCTEL GPS antenna > > three-ways. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/ > mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. >