FA70 VHF splitter

[danderer]

How much loss should the splitter in the FA70 produce? After doing the install I put a power/SWR meter inline to check performance. I see a solid 25W going into the splitter from the VHF radio, but only about 13W coming out. This is testing right at the coax connectors on the FA70.

The manual specs 1dB or less. So worst case using that number I should see at least 19W coming out.

I've tested this radio and antenna without the FA70 inline and I see nothing more than expected coax loss. Same when testing another radio/antenna with no splitter. All of which makes me think the loss must be from the FA70.

 

[FishTech]

Is the FA70 powered on during testing?
Ensure that your test cable is right at 30" long. I'm assuming that it is based on your other results.

 

[danderer]

FA70 is powered on.

Not sure about the 'test cable'. What I have is a power/SWR meter with 2 female jacks and about a 6" male-male jumper.

Mu configuration is:

VHF -> RG8X -> FA70 -> RG8X -> barrel connector -> RG8X -> antenna

I've used the meter at all the testable points (represented as -> above) and the results are consistent with high loss in the FA70. Removing it from the circuit eliminates the loss.

I'd be happy to find out I'm doing an invalid test or have something mis-configured.

 

[danderer]

I did some more testing. With power-on, loss is 2.2-2.8dB depending on frequency. Power off is 1.3-1.5.

Temporarily reinstalled by old brand-G AIS. Loss is 1.2-1.4dB, both power-on and power-off.

Something is up with the FA70 when power is on - I'm seeing twice as much loss as I should.

Thoughts?

 

[Johnny Electron]

First thought is this is beyond normal consumer support. Next thought is to conduct power and loss the unit should be placed into a constant transmit mode while testing. AIS transmits to quickly and not often enough to test with a bird meter unless it is put into special test with proper termination (so not going into the air). It would be recommended to send the unit into the service center if you feel that the unit has an internal issue.

 

[danderer]

Thanks.