Mlord, I don't know about what it says in the spec but that's the way they told me. I think they sell it for about CAD$38.

Here is what Winegard says about the CC-7870 (http://www.winegard.com/kbase/kb_tip_results.php?tip_num=291):

this coupler is just like a 2-way splitter hooked up in reverse

"what is reasonable in that industry might be a bit shocking in the consumer OTA world."

Shocking indeed, $70 for the regular VHF/UHF diplexer, and $90 for the outdoor version (and power passing on both sides).

The search for the elusive UVSJ continues...

(and power passing on both sides)

That is a nice feature as it allows you to have separate VHF and UHF pre-amps with only one power injector. Just make sure the power injector can support multiple pre-amps (I believe Tinlee's does).

I contacted Active Surplus and to be sure, I described the UVSJ in detail and attached a photo of one but they do not have any at this time.
They've got a whole friggin box of them, at least 50 or so. They just don't know that they are UVSJ couplers, that's all. They think they are just weird combiners (which they are, actually).

I was actually downtown near there today, but didn't stop in -- my last visit was three weeks ago, and they still had a ton of them back then though.

But no matter. I've got six or seven spares from them now, so if you want one then email me (mlord at pobox daht com) your postal destination and I'll mail one to you. It'll cost you perhaps $5 paypal for the coupler, stamps, and recycled padded envelope. :)

Or pick one up from me in person next week if you are in/near Ottawa.

Cheers

roger1818,

Having power passing on both sides was an optional extra that Tin Lee offers on their diplexers. Normally, it is power passing on the low side only. They also customize the bandpass frequencies to whatever you want if what you're looking for isn't among their list of standard offerings. Pretty amazing that this is available. I have to wonder who their customers are, to keep them in business.

mlord, thanks for the offer. Ironically enough, I was in Ottawa during the middle of the week, but there wouldn't have been time for this as it was kind of crazy being Canada Day and all. Seems like you come to T.O. quite a bit, thanks for the update about Active Surplus. I should have known their reply likely wouldn't have been a true indication of their inventory. I will try to get out there this weekend to put an end to this "quest" once and for all. Like you, I will pick up a handful of them if they are that inexpensive. It will cost me less to buy more of them than to have to go back a second time.

Still thinking..... can anyone confirm this basic FM filter: a coil (10 turns of bare #8) and a 6 - 80 pF variable capacitor?

The diameter of the coil needs to be specified as well.

According to the pic I saw, the wire looks as if it was just wrapped around a nail. Coils were close but not touching. I didn't write down the URL so it may be hard to find again. As for the antenna, wires aren't too difficult but I NO experience with cutting PVC pipe. I figure that any sections that I cut would be unequal. Any square shape I'd try to cut would end up as a rhombus (when was the last time anyone used that word in a sentence!). So I figure buying an antenna would be the easiest. Same goes for the FM filter. I am going to try to "modify" my rabbit ears today. They only extend to 2' max. - CJOH (Ch 13) comes in the best, CBOT (Ch 4) is watchable but snowy, TVO (Ch 22) is watchable (diagonal scan lines show through) on the loop UHF portion of the rabbit ears and Global (Ch 6) is b & w picture, no audio - which is why I figure an FM filter is necessary. Question is should I get a pre-amp CM 7777 or CM 0068DSB - both have built in FM filters) or just get a separate FM filter for the short term? Only one place open on Sunday in Ottawa, so you know where I'm going....

They've got a whole friggin box of them, at least 50 or so. They just don't know that they are UVSJ couplers, that's all. They think they are just weird combiners (which they are, actually).
I did drop by there today, and there are -- correction -- probably a hundred or so UVSJs in that box! :)

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=45&pictureid=1165

Just clarifying - those are at Active Surplus in Toronto, right?

Just clarifying - those are at Active Surplus in Toronto, right?
Yup, and they have a website, take telephone/email orders (not on weekends, though), and accept/prefer Paypal for that. Ship by Canada Post (cheap).

I picked up another two UVSJs while there. They also now have a large stock of other weird splitters/combiners, using mixes of coax/twinlead. Including one that has a coax input, a VHF coax output, a UHF twinlead output, and an FM twinlead output.

If it actually filters those bands properly, then this could be used as a $2 FM trap for VHF. I bought one to try out, once I get back home later tonight.

Cheers

Well, I had planned on going Saturday morning, but then SWMBO said "Why don't we go on Sunday, so that you can get this other stuff done?" Fine. Then Sunday came, and went, still working on that other stuff (ductwork).

Truth be told, I don't even have my VHF folded dipole yet, so it's not a big rush. I got a 3/16" aluminum rod from Metal Supermarket for that, but it's still in its original, straight form for now. I'll also need a balun to connect to the UVSJ.

Including one that has a coax input, a VHF coax output, a UHF twinlead output, and an FM twinlead output.

If it actually filters those bands properly, then this could be used as a $2 FM trap for VHF. I bought one to try out, once I get back home later tonight.

I am curious how well it works for you. If it works well, I may try to get one. My antenna has an FM trap, but I may need further filtering.

You didn't happen to notice if they had any HLSJ's (VHF Band High-Low Separator-Combiner) in that box of weird splitters/combiners did you? If an FM trap doesn't solve my problem, I may want to add an antenna for VHF-LO.

Am I looking for an FM Filter or an FM Trap? The descriptions on Blondertongue and Channel Master don't say what I'm looking for or maybe it's the terminology that they use that I can't understand. Some FM Traps are variable. Any ideas?

Winegard makes a nice collection of FM Traps (http://www.winegard.com/offair/traps.php). Now finding a local suplier is another question.

As you can see from Tin Lee's Website (http://www.tinlee.com/FM_Products.php?active=2#ANTENNAFM), they have two types of FM Traps:


Full FM stopband (88 to 108 MHz, but ch.6 will not pass)
Frequency-shifted stopband (e.g.: 91 to 108 MHz, to pass ch.6)


but as I said earlier, I think the biggest problem we have is with 88.5 MHz. The frequency-shifted stopband will attenuate it to some extent, but maybe not enough. Would it be advisable to also add a CR7- (Fo) HQ (25) 25dB fixed notch tuned to 88.5 MHz as it has a 3dB bandwidth of 0.5 MHz?

A store in Burlington, Ontario had recommended the Blondertongue MXF-B or something similar. I just got off the phone with an antenna installer in Stittsville. He says that Global had to reduce their power because of another station broadcasting in the same frequencies so an FM Filter or Trap would be a waste of money. Who do you believe? He also offered me an omni-directional antenna & amp for $100. No mention of age or make. I figure that's a little too much for a used product - it's approximately half the cost of new. I'm also very new to this so please keep any suggestions, recommendations & technical stuff in simple english. 25 years ago I would have understood some of what you're talking about. Of course, if 25 years ago I would have known I'd need this stuff, I could have easily gotten it!

Maple Leaf, I know the guy you are talking about. He is a good guy, but I don't necessarily trust his advice, mainly because it is out of date. He once told me that Global wasn't broadcasting from Camp Fortune, but a different tower, which it was many years ago but that changed a long time ago.

I beleive the Omni he is selling is a Channel Master. Not a bad antenna for some, but not the best for everyone. Several members on here have had first hand experience with FM traps fixing their reception issues on Global.

You didn't happen to notice if they had any HLSJ's (VHF Band High-Low Separator-Combiner) in that box of weird splitters/combiners did you?
I looked for those, and didn't see any.

Cheers

Thanks roger1818. Is that Blondertongue filter/trap the right thing? As for an antenna, I wonder what the bylaw people have to say about antennas? I don't foresee a problem, but what would they make of a Delhi VU 637SR! I could always say it's a bird rest...

I dropped in and picked up a couple of UVSJ's at Active Surplus. Neat to see the store again. I thought there was less of the funny labelling of the bins than the last time I was there about 4 years ago, but maybe not. My memory is a bit fuzzy:D In particular I remembered fondly a bin of casters which said "Casters (no, not French beavers)" but I didn't see it this time.

There are some good deals at this store: eg there was a 6' set of component video cables. Can't remember if it had the audio cables in it as well, but it was $9.95, much much less than what is being asked for in big box stores. I didn't get them as I use HDMI from both my ATSC set top box and my DVD player (which is all I have for gear). I only have 1 HDMI input on my TV, but I have an HDMI switch in between.

The switch was a lucky find at.... the clearance table at Canadian Tire of all places. Neat switch; I don't have to actually select which device I want to use. The switch detects which device is active and routes that signal to the TV.