Yes, there are a number of antenna splitters available. They work as advertised, but you will degrade your transmitting power a little. For close in transmission, no problem. But if you are in a situation where you need to "reach out" twenty miles in an emergency, you would be better served with twin antennas than running both radios through a splitter. Anything between your transmitter and the antenna will add attenuation to the final signal radiating from the antenna. In theory, the same is true for reception, but in reality, that usually is not much of an issue in practice. David Sorenson -- FCC General Class Radiotelephone License holder (formerly called First Class License) Duluth, MN On Tue, 5 May 2009 09:52:23 -0400 "Stephen Starling" <hymarks@mindspring.com> writes: > Would like to add a 2nd VHF in Pilothouse but do not want to add > another > hole in the boat. (The Admiral keeps reminding me that hole is a 4 > letter > word!!) > > Can I add the 2nd VHF and use the same antenna that is now being > used? Is > there an "antenna coupler" that would be needed and if so how much > is the > signal degraded by doing this? > > Thanks > > Stephen > KK42 > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering > > To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options (get password, > change email address, etc) go to: > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/trawlers-and-trawlering > > Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World > Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited. > > ____________________________________________________________ Click to learn about options trading and get the latest information. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTIzQZfMT8W0ZCua4CkEMPJq1czd28TuS2IKTj60aWlfR4E0I3x8p6/

The figure I had heard was 1.5db signal loss for each PL-259 soldered connection. I *assume* this means where two such connectors are joined by a double male butt connector. So that means that a quality signal splitter (Shakespeare auto splitter?) reduces signal strength by no less than 1.5db. David, can you tell us why some HAMs substitute type "N" connectors for type PL-259? I assume it has something to do with efficiency/signal loss. However, I would think that the adapter would introduce loss. If David Cooper is satisfied with the Uniden WHAM setup, that is a strong endorsement from a couple who live aboard and cruise extensively and regularly. Ron Rogers