GeekGirl1
The Medium IS the Message
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join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
edit:
May 7th, @08:29PM
| reply to nycdave
Re: What kind of outdoor splitter should I get?
In RF theory, if the impedance of the load (splitter output - open circuit) doesn't match the impedance of the transmission line (resistance of the coax = 75 Ohms), the RF signal will reflect off the output of the splitter and add in a bad way to mess up your signals to the STB. Usually, you don't notice it. Except for maybe a few channels that don't look quite right.
The loads (terminations) on the splitter will provide the matching 75 Ohms that will absorb the "reflections" of the RF signals in your coax. This is a good thing.
I probably over-simplified, but the basic concept is that you need something like this for anything RF. It's also why you have those little black boxes on antennas to go between your coax and twin-lead. They are transformers (not just adapters) which go between 75 Ohm coax and 300 Ohm twin lead. The transformer "smooths out" those RF reflected signals to your TV. Without it, it would be a lot worse.
You can get them at Radio Shack. Price is a bit extravagant, but this is the concept: »www.radioshack.com/product/index···e=family |
