20 dB Directional Wallplate Coupler 4 Port Drop Tap for Coaxial Cable TV Antenna

Skywalker Communications SKY2342-20 20 dB Directional Wallplate Coupler 4 Port Drop Tap for Coaxial Cable TV Antenna 5-1000 MHz
This SKY2342-20 is a 20 dB Directional Wallplate Coupler with a 4 Output Port Drop Tap for Coaxial Cable TV Antenna passing 5-1000 MHz on all (4) ports while only Passing Power on (1) port (see larger image)for Loop-run Coaxial Cable Video Distribution Systems feeding from one unit and/or Floor to another in series cascade. Provides Floor, Unit and Room Signal for Cable TV, Off-air Antenna TV, MATV, SMATV, Broadband Internet and Pay-Per-View Services in Hotels, Motels, Apartment Complexes, Condominiums, Strip Mall Units and Business Parks. The SKY2342 line of high quality directional couplers have been developed for indoor or outdoor applications requiring high isolation.

The selection and placement of Drop Taps by the rated Value in dB should successively drop in value starting from the Drop Tap closest to the Cable TV or Antenna Signal Amplifier, each "Thru" port in turn feeding the next "In" port towards the next amplifier or end of the cable run; resulting in less signal left on the cable feed after insertion through each Drop Tap. The Specification Sheet link provided above will give you the "Thru" (to the next Drop Tap) and "Tap" (to the TV itself)  leg losses of each value, so that along with the loss through each successive inter-connecting cable based on length; this information can provide a simple subtraction formula to calculate signal levels at each point, starting with the Output level of the Amplifier in dBmv and ending when there is simply not enough signal left in the Cable to feed another Drop Tap or TV set. For regular analog signals, the FCC recommends no less than 0 dBmv input for an acceptable picture quality.

For feeding Hi-Speed Internet Cable TV Broadband Modems or FM receivers, it can be much simpler as the system feeding you signal is already designed. Typically, Cable TV companies install a DC-9, DC-10 or DC-12 with the "Thru" leg feeding the rest of the Premise, and the "Tap" leg feeding the Modem. The placement of the DC is usually co-located at the point where the Cable TV Company feed makes its "Appearance" in the building or premise, after the ground block bond, with a separately run RG coaxial cable feed directly to the Modem. Recently though, with "Instant Installs", the Modem will get fed whatever signal is available in close proximity without revising or revisiting the drop system architecture with a proper signal level analysis based on the design spec.s. Most modern Modems have the range to compensate for high levels by introducing attenuation to lower the signal level into range, but low signal levels can only be addressed by correction. If there is a requirement for more signal to the Modem, simply drop the Tap value. Most folks have issues with the Hi-Speed Internet for 2 reasons; poor signal level (which can be your issue or the Cable TV Company's depending on who is responsible for the install) or Return Ingress (interference coming into the cable system) because of "Leaky" Cable TV System, which is definitely their realm. If you do have need to introduce an amplifier into your system, make sure it is return passive to maintain the two-way link-up.

FM receiver connections to Cable TV systems with said service will usually require a DC-15 or thereabouts for proper signal level introduction into the Receiver. Check with the System's Chief Technician for the Spec.s.