Multiple radios, one antenna

[mastermindpro]

I've never heard anyone say definitively one way or another on this topic, but I have need for using two radios with one antenna. The need for two radios is for throughput and/or full duplex operation by setting up static routes.

I'm limited to one 5.8Ghz antenna at one end of my desired link. Can I use two radios plugged into the same antenna through a splitter/combiner as long as the two radios operate at different frequencies? Will a passive splitter/combiner not do the trick? If not, what gear would I need to allow two radios to use one antenna?

[Mkleibrink]

I also had the desire to put up a dual link. So i would be able to pus more data through a link without higher tower rental costs. I found some topics in the forums that led me to the conclusion that it may not be worth the effort.

First you can not use a splitter to put 2 radios on one antenna. When one of the cards sends, it possibly renders the other card useless, because the signal gets to the antenna, but also directly to the receiver of the other radio. Such a strong signal would probably destroy the receiver of the other card and vice versa.

The only solution to your problem is a dual polarized antenna. You have one antenna and two polarizations on wich you can hook up one radio each. The downside is that this antennas are quite expensive and I read in the forums that there seems to be a problem with self interferrence. I have never tested one of these antennas so i can't tell you that from my experience. You can find these antennas at pacific wireless.

I hope i was able to help

[ninedd]

There are dual antennas with one input, but there are also dual antennas with two inputs. If your links can be supported by 2.4 and 5Gig, then an antenna that can run two channels, in two separate bands, on two separate connectors should be safe. Something like the ones on the bottom of this page: http://www.superpass.com/DUAL-GJ.html should do the trick. They are essentially two antennas in one enclosure.

[go.fast]

T Something like the ones on the bottom of this page: http://www.superpass.com/DUAL-GJ.html should do the trick. They are essentially two antennas in one enclosure.


I like this one:

http://www.superpass.com/SPD-GSH4T-J6T.html

I can think of a couple places where this would help keep a repeater tidy that I want to add 5 gig to. Good find, I wonder who has used these with good results?