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Rat-Race

08/29/2010 3:35 AM

We are currently using PMR 446 two way radios (similar to the American Family radios ) for our neighbourhood watch.

A while back I wanted to use two sets on one areal but blew the receiver on the second set when transmitting directly into the port.

A Rat-Race (thanks to Mr Wiki) would have solved my problem.

Set 1 at A

Set 2 at C

Areal at B

The length of the path from A to C is 1/2 wave length on the one path and 1 length in the other direction. Resulting in zero power at the input of C .

Quite clever?

We are now moving over to a licensed frequency and must for a while use both systems.

Can the circuit be adapted to protect the receivers when 446 and say 480 MHz sets are used?

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#1

Re: Rat-Race

08/29/2010 8:57 AM

No

the frequency of each radio is different so a different length would be needed

and if it did work the transmitting radio would desensitise the receiving radios

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=operating+multiple+radios+from+one+ariel&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=_ld6TO3lOc7p4gbevvDYBg

you may get away with a discone anttena this is an ariel that works on multiple frequencise able to recive and transmit

if it was me i would try a 1/4 wavelenth of each frequency coax cable feeding a T piece then onto the ariel make sure the feed from the T piece is not a multiple of either frequency

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=discone+antenna+design&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=clh6TIWwA5iL4gbu97XHBg

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=american+amatuer+radio&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=r1p6TPG3Mcv24gborry2Bg

sorry

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#2

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 12:32 AM

Both you are radio users... and I commend that.. but I must say the word you are looking for is "Aerial"

not areal etc. shame shame...

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 4:19 AM

i have always been rubbish at spelling.

i can take your car apart in a field and reassemble it with improvements but spelling noo why.

oh and my mental arithmatic is even worse i am lost without a calcuta (calculator)

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#5
In reply to #3

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 1:55 PM

love the new avatar too!

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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 2:51 PM

Thanks i got it from a poster her on CR4

and heres some more

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Power-User

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#4

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 10:56 AM

Any such device is going to have insertion loss, something you may not find acceptable. Too, it should be subjected to lab testing, with applicable test equipment, to verify adequate isolation, else you may be back with the same problem (damaging another receiver).

The "rat race" device, or similar, does not exhibit the "Q"/selectivity needed and thus would not offer enough isolation in my opinion and certainly severe receiver desensitation would be realized.

Reconsider using two antenna systems with vertical separation.

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#8

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 4:08 PM
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#9

Re: Rat-Race

08/30/2010 4:12 PM
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