[time-nuts] GPS antenna splitter

Graham planophore at aei.ca
Sat Jun 29 14:35:39 EDT 2013


I find my self in need of either splitting a current GPS antenna feed or 
putting up yet another antenna, I would prefer splitting the current feed.

There are a few options one of which is a Mini Circuits ZAPD-2DC+ 
splitter/combiner whose data sheet specifically states DC pass through 
from one port to the combined port. Fair enough, this should work very well.

However, there is another model, the ZAPD-2-N (having type N connectors) 
whose data sheet states neither DC feed through or not, in other words, 
it is does not say explicitly that it does or doesn't.

I think the ZAPD-2-N splitter would work to split the antenna but I am 
sure about being able to feed the antenna through this splitter/combiner 
and was hoping someone could state yay or nay on that point.

However, if it would not pass DC to the antenna I suppose I could add a 
power feed to the splitter to do so and some sort of a load on the GPS 
side to trick the receiver into thinking there was an antenna attached.

I was about to order one of the ZAPD-2DC+ from the Mini Circuits web 
site but upon check out found they would only ship via UPS or some other 
courier rather than by USPS. This would double the price for this coming 
into Canada - I will only use UPS for domestic shipping if I have no 
choice but never for cross border purchases, their handling fees are 
just too much.

So, I was just looking for alternatives or perhaps someone knows a 
source for the ZAPD-2DC+ that would be willing to use USPS for shipping.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc



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