DX Engineering DXE-SC-50 Instructions manual

Two-Port Splitter/Combiners

DXE-SC-50
DXE-SC-75

DXE-SC5075-INS Revision 0a

© DX Engineering 2021

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]

Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [e-mail]

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Introduction

DX Engineering 2-Port Splitter-Combiners are receive signal RF devices that operate from 300 kHz
to 30 MHz, available in 50 ohm and 75 ohm versions. They are typically used to split one RF signal
to feed two receivers, or to the receive antenna inputs of one transceiver and one separate receiver.
They also properly combine two receiving antennas in phase, such as Beverage antennas, to form a
phased receive array.

Features

 Available for 50 ohm and 75 ohm systems
 Broad, 300 kHz through 30 MHz operating range
 High quality components
 Metal housing for superior shielding and longer life
 Reliable connectors; BNC for 50 ohm, F connectors for 75 ohm model
 Economical solution to potential impedance errors
 Handles stray RF levels from receive antennas (maximum 10 watts intermittent)
 Includes one termination load (50 ohm or 75 ohm - depending on model) for the unused port

Note: Any unused port of the 2-Port Splitter-Combiner should be terminated with the
included termination load and specified losses are based on source and load impedances
being matched.

With the updated “SC” versions of the original 2-Port Splitter-Combiner, DX Engineering has
maintained the port isolation design that prevents signal performance degradation caused by
impedance errors in less-than-perfect receive systems. The normal signal level reduction when used
as a splitter is just over 3 dB per port. As with any system, losses are dependent upon source and
load impedances being matched. DX Engineering Splitter-Combiners provide equal power, voltage,
and current to matched loads on ports 1 and 2. The primary advantage is that individual receiver
input variations will not seriously affect the signal level in the other receiver. In addition, any
spurious signals generated in one receiver are greatly attenuated by the 2-Port Splitter-Combiner
before reaching the second receiver. When splitting in-phase signals, the loss is somewhat less.

The DX Engineering 2-Port Splitter-Combiner is a passive device, therefore it requires no power to
operate. Use the 75 ohm version for combining two 75 ohm antenna feedlines into a single 75 ohm
feedline or use the 50 ohm version for 50 ohm antennas and feedlines. Examples for applications
are; two antennas form an in-phase (broadside) receiving array; a cross-fire Echelon Beverage
array; any type of array with fixed phasing.

There are a number of advantages to using these units for combining antenna systems over a
standard parallel connection:

 Splitter-Combiners match the entire antenna system to the feedline impedance - conversely,

paralleling feedlines by using a T-connector divides the impedance in half, causing
mismatched losses

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 With antennas connected directly in parallel, if either one develops a high impedance open,

becomes shorted, falls down, or has a feedline problem, the entire antenna system may
become unusable. By using the 2-Port Splitter-Combiner, only the problem antenna is
unusable; the antenna on the other port can still be used but will be degraded because the
impedance may not be properly matched on the bad antenna

 Unlike quarter wave matching sections that only work on one band, these Splitter-

Combiners have extremely wide bandwidth

 Due to the built-in isolation and balancing, these units limit the signal loss to approximately

3 dB per port

 2-Port Splitter-Combiners provide very high isolation between ports 1 and 2; this prevents

either antenna from interfering with the other during normal operation

Installation

The SC-50 or SC-75 are passive devices and therefore require no power to operate. When used as a
combiner, they are typically located near the antenna field. Any location with ambient temperatures
below 150°F (65°C) is acceptable.

Connect the antennas (combining) or receivers (splitting) to connectors 1 and 2. If only one antenna
or receiver is used, the unused port must be terminated at 50 Ω or 75 Ω (depending on model).
Connect the feedline to the Common port.

In outdoor applications, a bead of non-corrosive, marine grade silicone, like DX Engineering part
number PTX-82180, may be used along the seams of the enclosure. Be sure to leave a small
opening in the bead, at the lowest point, for a condensation drain. Silicone which contains acetic
acid has a vinegar-like smell, is corrosive to aluminum and should be avoided.

For the DXE-SC-75, DX Engineering recommends using a 75 Ω high quality, “flooded” RG-6 type
coax (part number DXE-6UF, available from DX Engineering). Flooded style cables have the
distinct advantage of automatically sealing small accidental cuts or lacerations of the jacket.
Flooding also prevents shield contamination and can be direct-buried. Moisture ingress into the
shield often occurs at the connector and can cause increased system noise and poor or intermittent
performance so care should be taken to ensure the coax connections are moisture-free. Compression
type connectors are long-lasting and weather-tight.

Compression type connectors cannot be installed with normal crimping tools or pliers, so an
installation tool kit such as the DXE-UT-KITF is available from DX Engineering.

For the DXE SC-50 custom BNC cable jumpers, BNC Connectors and 50 ohm coaxial cable are
also available from DX Engineering.

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Technical Support

If you have questions about this product, or if you experience difficulties during the installation,
contact DX Engineering at [phone]. You can also e-mail us at:

[e-mail]

For best service, please take a few minutes to review this manual before you call.

Warranty

All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under
these warranties shall be to issue credit, repair or replace any item or part thereof which is proved to be other
than as warranted; no allowance shall be made for any labor charges of Buyer for replacement of parts,
adjustment or repairs, or any other work, unless such charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering.

If DX Engineering’s products are claimed to be defective in material or workmanship, DX Engineering shall,

upon prompt notice thereof, issue shipping instructions for return to DX Engineering (transportation-charges
prepaid by Buyer). Every such claim for breach of these warranties shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer
unless made in writing. The above warranties shall not extend to any products or parts thereof which have
been subjected to any misuse or neglect, damaged by accident, rendered defective by reason of improper
installation, damaged from severe weather including floods, or abnormal environmental conditions such as
prolonged exposure to corrosives or power surges, or by the performance of repairs or alterations outside of
our plant, and shall not apply to any goods or parts thereof furnished by Buyer or acquired from others at

Buyer’s specifications. In addition, DX Engineering’s warranties do not extend to other equipment and parts
manufactured by others except to the extent of the original manufacturer’s warranty to DX Engineering. The

obligations under the foregoing warranties are limited to the precise terms thereof. These warranties provide
exclusive remedies, expressly in lieu of all other remedies including claims for special or consequential
damages. SELLER NEITHER MAKES NOR ASSUMES ANY OTHER WARRANTY WHATSOEVER,
WHETHER EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSUME FOR DX
ENGINEERING ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY NOT STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FOREGOING.

©DX Engineering 2021

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Specifications subject to change without notice.