Commercial Triplexer

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:22 am

OK guys...For those of you that haven't seen Laird has a multi-band V/U/700/800 antenna that I have been using for a while now with some really good success
The model # is WPD136M6C-001 and claims to operate from 136-174, 380-520, and 760-870. I have used it as a single band in both VHF and 800 and so far it works really well in those bands.

Now I want to take the next step and put a triplexer in line, but I am having a heck of the time trying to find one. I used to have Austin products and they used to make custom di and triplexers but I don't think they are in business anymore as a few emails have gone unanswered. There are tons of amateur units out there, but obviously they won't do the 700/800 bands.

I did find one local company (antennasUS) and he gave me a quote of around $200 to build one and while it sounds reasonable, I would like to do some comparison shopping.

Anyone else with other leads?

Mark

d119 · Post by **d119** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:09 am

I use TX/RX Systems "Crossband Couplers" in the infrastructure world, not sure if they make one with three input ports or not.

You would think Laird would come out with a product to do this... How the heck else are you supposed to interface all of these bands to this antenna?

"Here's a nice tri-band antenna that only works on one band at a time!"

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:05 pm

d119 wrote:How the heck else are you supposed to interface all of these bands to this antenna?

It's called a Harris multi-band radio.

d119 · Post by **d119** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:04 pm

RFguy wrote:
d119 wrote:How the heck else are you supposed to interface all of these bands to this antenna?
It's called a Harris multi-band radio.

Wouldn't know anything about that. Thanks for telling me what it's called.

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:36 pm

d119 wrote: "Here's a nice tri-band antenna that only works on one band at a time!"

Or at least 2 bands at a time. I have U/V that covers the required spectrum, but that doesn't help the 700/800.

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:00 pm

Mark...

I've used Diamond MX3000D in the past to triplex 144/432/1.2 Ghz at fairly high power levels onto 1 5/8" cable with great results. Stated ranges are 1.6-160, 380-500, and 850-1300 MHz. I know, it's not commercial but it works. I can sweep it to see the exact response on the 850-1300 port to see how low it goes but there are individual trimmers if I remember right so it might be "tweaked" on that port to cover 7-800. Just have to futz with it. The low and mid range ports are PL259 though...

Dave

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:39 am

MSS-Dave wrote:Mark...

I've used Diamond MX3000D in the past to triplex 144/432/1.2 Ghz at fairly high power levels onto 1 5/8" cable with great results. Stated ranges are 1.6-160, 380-500, and 850-1300 MHz. I know, it's not commercial but it works. I can sweep it to see the exact response on the 850-1300 port to see how low it goes but there are individual trimmers if I remember right so it might be "tweaked" on that port to cover 7-800. Just have to futz with it. The low and mid range ports are PL259 though...

Dave

That sounds good Dave...it you get around to it, please let us know the results after you have a chance to sweep it.

Mark

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:52 am

Don't know what the big problem is on finding a tri band triplexor. We have had real good results with a unit from Sti-Co for several years now. Have used them in places where I couldn't run additional feedlines on mobile command vehicles. Put a tri band antenna on the roof and then run the cables to the different mobile radios. You can even get them in a 4 band unit to include the aircraft segment. We also use them in our radio interoperability package where we put 3 radios into a shipping container with the triplexor. Then use a tri band antenna external for the operation. Each of the radios runs a 50 watt transmitter.

You can take a look at their web site at www.stico.com for information.

Jim

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:40 am

Funny you should say that Jim as I just stumbled on the Sti-Co unit just this afternoon. It is quite pricey though at almost $400.00!
That might be what the doctor ordered though...

Post by **escomm** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:54 am

Sti-Co and low cost are not words commonly found used with one another....! Quality of design and build are well worth it, especially considering the alternatives...

wd9cms · Post by **wd9cms** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:41 pm

Austin Antenna also makes a commercial triplexer Model 204230. Take a look at rfwiz who carries Austin http://www.rfwiz.com/AustinAntenna/Aust ... nfoDat.htm .

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:00 am

KS4VT wrote:Funny you should say that Jim as I just stumbled on the Sti-Co unit just this afternoon. It is quite pricey though at almost $400.00!
That might be what the doctor ordered though...

For what it is worth, you can get the combiners in several different connectors. They use to come only with type TNC connectors. After we did a government project using the combiners, we managed to get Sti-Co to make them with type N connectors also. You have to ask for the type N connectors, otherwise you will end up with the standard TNC connectors.

Jim

fineshot1 · Post by **fineshot1** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:36 am

This is an interesting thread.

I spoke to Paul at Laird yesterday and they are working on a triplexer but it is not ready for prime time yet.

He had no idea (he is not involved) when it would be ready for market.

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:56 pm

Jim202 wrote:You can take a look at their web site at http://www.stico.com for information.

Jim

Just a correction on the link, their website is http://www.sti-co.com/

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:04 am

wd9cms wrote:Austin Antenna also makes a commercial triplexer Model 204230. Take a look at rfwiz who carries Austin http://www.rfwiz.com/AustinAntenna/Aust ... nfoDat.htm .

That was one of the numbers I called weeks ago, that is disconnected, and emails went unanswered.

KB2ZTX · Post by **KB2ZTX** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:47 am

MSS-Dave wrote:Mark...

I've used Diamond MX3000D in the past to triplex 144/432/1.2 Ghz at fairly high power levels onto 1 5/8" cable with great results. Stated ranges are 1.6-160, 380-500, and 850-1300 MHz. I know, it's not commercial but it works. I can sweep it to see the exact response on the 850-1300 port to see how low it goes but there are individual trimmers if I remember right so it might be "tweaked" on that port to cover 7-800. Just have to futz with it. The low and mid range ports are PL259 though...

Dave

2nd for this. I have been running the Larsen tri-band since it came out on all my SAR vehicles. I found the diamond to work fine for all commercial channels. We run our MCS2000 VHF, XTL2500 UHF and EFJ Acsend 800 Mhz thru them. I did cut the PL259 off on them and installed N(F) connectors that hook to jumpers to the radios. I have at least 6 of these in service right now with no issues.

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:40 am

KS4VT wrote:
MSS-Dave wrote:Mark...

I've used Diamond MX3000D in the past to triplex 144/432/1.2 Ghz at fairly high power levels onto 1 5/8" cable with great results. Stated ranges are 1.6-160, 380-500, and 850-1300 MHz. I know, it's not commercial but it works. I can sweep it to see the exact response on the 850-1300 port to see how low it goes but there are individual trimmers if I remember right so it might be "tweaked" on that port to cover 7-800. Just have to futz with it. The low and mid range ports are PL259 though...

Dave
That sounds good Dave...it you get around to it, please let us know the results after you have a chance to sweep it.

Mark

I might actually be able to do this today. Been swamped with all sorts of out of shop/area work. Sorry if you guys have been patiently sitting on the fence waiting for me to post this.....

Dave

Post by **escomm** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:51 pm

KS4VT wrote:
wd9cms wrote:Austin Antenna also makes a commercial triplexer Model 204230. Take a look at rfwiz who carries Austin http://www.rfwiz.com/AustinAntenna/Aust ... nfoDat.htm .
That was one of the numbers I called weeks ago, that is disconnected, and emails went unanswered.

Meh, RFWiz is a joke. Bought a Midland mic from them, advertised as brand new, turned out to be NOS with the old manufacturer's name on it and some rubber feet missing

They wouldn't reply to emails or phone calls about it, charged it back to the CC, they got the paperwork and all of a sudden had time to call me

Post by Pj » Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:12 pm

I am also running the MX3000.... XTL V and 800 radio, and an orion U...going to a Comtelco http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/PDF%20D ... /A1501.pdf antenna. Haven't swept it, but it tx/rx's very well centered to around 150ish IIRC. I am also using the same antenna on an ICOM 2100H for APRS and works very well centered for 144.4ish.

For ~$100ish, its a good buy if you have antenna real estate issues.

W1HVN · Post by **W1HVN** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 4:07 pm

Any reliable sources for the Austin? As for the Diamond Triplexer, rated for 850 min for 800, can someone verify it's happy down to 812 ish?

wd9cms · Post by **wd9cms** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:36 pm

Have not dealt with rfwiz or this company http://www.radio-ware.com/ but they seem to carry Austin Antenna products. I cannot remember but one of the big Ham Radio stores HRO, AES, etc also carry Austin Antenna products.

Bill

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:21 am

Here it is in the FWIW department. This was bought in 1998, was up a tower in a box for 6 years. I thought it worked well in the ham bands but it sweeps a little different than I thought it would. Did not matter if ports were open or loaded with 50 ohm terminators. Prolly should have tried shorting open ports to see but forgot.....

EDIT>>> After looking at this, I wonder if doing return loss sweep would be more indicative than pure transmission loss.

Dave

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:55 am

Thanks for the sweeps Dave. Looks like it is something that would be usable except for being a bit lossy at 700/800, but for basic monitoring of a system with a high signal level it should work out.
If you can do the return loss when you have some time that would probabaly tell us a lot more as you pointed out.

Mark

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:21 am

No problem Mark...

If I can get some more fires put out, I'll hook it up. I'm really curious to see how it does on return loss now. The antenna specs on that Laird are interesting, especially the one that says something like SWR is better than 2.7:1 in the bands specified. You notice any problems with power foldback in a mobile if the SWR is really that high?

Dave

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:53 am

None that I have seen to date, but right now I am only using it on VHF and the majority in the ham bands. My XTL1500 seems very happy on it and it receives quite well in the 146 and 147 bands and there have been no complaints of not being able to hear me. It even out performs the 1/4 wave in SWR that I had in the same roof mounted location before with a 1.5 to 1 across the band.

Of the limited 800 testing I have done, it receives the PBC system as good if not better as an OEM 1/4 wave center mounted on the roof but didn't have a chance to put a VSWR meter on it.

I have not done anything with in in UHF as of yet. The antenna connection is difficult due to the current location and going to wait to put the triplexer on it. But if it works as well as 800 and VHF I will be a very happy camper.

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:57 am

Resurrecting an old post with new info. Finally did some sweeps on this thing. Sweeps show SWR and Return Loss. I put markers near 2:1 points on SWR to show bandwidth. I'm using on UHF and 800 right now through a TX-RX crossband coupler (had one in the pile to try). Testing on VHF direct to the antenna, works like gangbusters! UHF, eh, not so good. Good VSWR, very low reflected power but the pattern must go straight up like the plots on the literature says. 1/4 wave NMO works better. 850 works great but I'm in the middle of a 10 site P25 system too. Anyone else using one of these like to comment?

Dave

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:54 pm

Gary,

I have misplaced my Diamond catalog but I seem to recall that they make/made a diplexer that had
one connection on one side and three on the other side, which would make it a three band unit.

I use a Comet in the car for my 7500 dualbander and it does fine to a single antenna.

Regards,

AEC · Post by **AEC** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:19 pm

Sti-Co had a 'box' that had 3 BNC connections on it, and was for commercial band use in 150 and 800. With a little fine tuning, I see no reason one coulld not make this coupler a multi-band
device. The consruction is simply tuned L/C networks with a common Ant. connection. Probably would not want to run more than 50 watts through it though.

AEC · Post by **AEC** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:27 pm

As for Telewave, most of the crossband couplers are for dual frequency bands, such as 132-174 & 406-470, 132-174 & 850-960...Etc...
Page 33 of the catalog. Listing both 150 and 400 watt power handling capacity.

W1HVN · Post by **W1HVN** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:02 pm

Dave, what did you sweep? My apologies I couldn't tell by the post...

MSS-Dave wrote:Resurrecting an old post with new info. Finally did some sweeps on this thing. Sweeps show SWR and Return Loss. I put markers near 2:1 points on SWR to show bandwidth. I'm using on UHF and 800 right now through a TX-RX crossband coupler (had one in the pile to try). Testing on VHF direct to the antenna, works like gangbusters! UHF, eh, not so good. Good VSWR, very low reflected power but the pattern must go straight up like the plots on the literature says. 1/4 wave NMO works better. 850 works great but I'm in the middle of a 10 site P25 system too. Anyone else using one of these like to comment?

Dave

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:54 am

I believe it was for the Diamond MX3000D Amateur Grade Triplexer.

MSS-Dave · Post by **MSS-Dave** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:47 am

The last sweeps posted were for the Laird antenna that KS4VT first referenced. The earlier sweeps were for the MX3000 triplexer.

Dave

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:43 pm

KS4VT wrote:OK guys...For those of you that haven't seen Laird has a multi-band V/U/700/800 antenna that I have been using for a while now with some really good success
The model # is WPD136M6C-001 and claims to operate from 136-174, 380-520, and 760-870. I have used it as a single band in both VHF and 800 and so far it works really well in those bands.

Now I want to take the next step and put a triplexer in line, but I am having a heck of the time trying to find one. I used to have Austin products and they used to make custom di and triplexers but I don't think they are in business anymore as a few emails have gone unanswered. There are tons of amateur units out there, but obviously they won't do the 700/800 bands.

I did find one local company (antennasUS) and he gave me a quote of around $200 to build one and while it sounds reasonable, I would like to do some comparison shopping.

Anyone else with other leads?

Mark

Just to revive an old thread that I started, I got a hold of Austin Antennas directly in NH and they custom built a tri-band coupler for me that covers 700/800, VHF, and UHF. The cost with shipping was $212.00. I have to re-route some cables in the car for 700/800 and UHF, but with just using it for VHF there is no apparent loss there that I can see in the amateur and PS 154 band.

Unfortunately he wouldn't make it with anything other than N female connectors so I have to use N to mini-U adapters which I just ordered as well.

WCHija · Post by **WCHija** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:32 am

Panorama makes a great tri-plexer, with very low loss and excellent seperation. It costs about what the Sti-Co costs.

fineshot1 · Post by **fineshot1** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:52 am

Just gonna bump this one back up.

Just looking for some more experiences with commercial triplexers.
i have been trying to reach various companies today but our telephone
switch is all buggered up and i am not having luck reaching various
numbers for research across the usa.

PhillyPhoto · Post by **PhillyPhoto** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:05 am

What will hooking a regular splitter before a triplexer do to a scanner as far as radios feeding power back when transmitting? I was looking into the Laird antenna for a new scanner, but I've since gotten an XTL. It's UHF high and I will be using pretty much the full spectrum from 450-520, but was looking at something like the Phantom Elite whipless antenns for it. The only problem with those is that they only cover 20MHz in UHF. I also like the option of being able to put a 7/800 radio on too down the road, which is why I like the STI-CO® Tri-Band Coupler since it shows a good frequency range (138 – 174 MHz/380 – 512 MHz/760 – 896 MHz).

N4DES · Post by **N4DES** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:08 pm

I have been using the Austin Tri-Band one with no issues at all since March.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:46 pm

Panorama - they have one that has good specs, but I haven't played with it. I ordered a couple of their tri-band antennas and wasn't impressed... there's a friction fit tilt adjustment, plus a required adapter to get to NMO. It ended up being about 5 points for failure. No thanks.

Sti-Co - similar price to Panorama (~$480) and I bet it works really well, like the rest of their products. But still... $480.

I'd like to find a good solution that covers (with acceptable return loss) 136-174, 380-520, and 700-950 but doesn't have the Sti-Co price tag.

fineshot1 · Post by **fineshot1** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:33 am

yes - the cost per vehicle for an antenna and coupler is what has me and many worried.
You wind up spending approx between $400 and $500 per vehicle and when your
talking about a fleet of many public safety vehicles it becomes prohibitive.

When i originally spoke to Laird almost 2 years ago they were going to target the
price $150 per coupler and they pretty much dropped the ball and never came out
with one.

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