[time-nuts] Z3801A & ThunderBolt USING SAME ANTENNA?

[Bruce Griffiths]

jshank wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am trying to set up a Z3801A and a ThunderBolt to operate off of one 
> symmetricom 58532A antenna using a symmetricom 4-port smartsplitter.  The 
> Z3801A manual suggest using LMR 400 cable which is a 50 ohm cable which is 
> compatible with the antenna.  The thunderbolt which I receive has a type F 
> connector and the thunderbolt manual suggest using 75 ohm rg59 cable. Will I 
> have a problem connecting the thunderbolt to the smartsplitter using LRM400 
> 50 ohm cable?  The thunderbolt which I received came with a type f to bnc 
> connector, but isn't a bnc connector underrated to handle the 1.5 GHz 
> signal?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
>   
Jeff

The 50 ohm BNC connector is rated up to 4GHz, the 75 ohm version to 2GHz.
The F connector performance degrades above 1GHz but is still useful to 
several GHz.
Both originated in the early 1950's.
The Thunderbolt should work well with 50 ohm cable as its far from a 
precision match to either 50 or 75 ohm cable.

Bruce