Jeff Wexler Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 One thing I find confusing (or at the very least odd) is the assortment of output connectors on this unit. It states there are 2 sets of 4 sma outputs --- 4 to serve antenna A, 4 to serve antenna B. The connectors, however, are grouped as 3 connectors (silver) and 1 connector (gold) and they really don't look like they are even the same type connector. Documentation states: "The MicPlexer 2 has 8 SMA connectors on the bottom of the unit. There are 4 SMA connectors that distribute the signal for antenna 1 and 4 SMA connectors for antenna 2. There are no differences in the silver and gold connectors." Why the "different" connectors (even though it says there is no difference)? Just curious. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Jeff, as far as the size of the connectors on the picture I don't know why they look different. But I had a conversation with Glenn recently where he assured me that all outputs are the same - 6dB amplified. Quote
Jeff Wexler Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Posted August 5, 2014 Also, with a total of 4 outputs for A antenna and 4 outputs for B antenna, does this mean the unit supports the connection of 4 diversity receivers? Quote
Eric Toline Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 I'm a bit confused by the layout & designations. The documentation says Ant 1 & Ant 2, the case says Ant B and Ant A. Why the alphanumeric switch? Quote
Jack Norflus Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 All 8 connectors are SMA connectors. Each of the 8 SMA connector has 6dB of gain. And yes the MicPlexer 2 can support 4 diversity receivers. There is no difference in the performance between the gold and the silver connectors.The reason for the two different connectors are because to fit 8 connectors in the unit they had to be differently mounts. The gold connectors have the external nut fastening it to the chassis which makes it look larger than the other silver ones - which are fastened on the inside of the unit. Quote
Jeff Wexler Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Posted August 5, 2014 "The reason for the two different connectors are because to fit 8 connectors in the unit they had to be differently mounts. The gold connectors have the external nut fastening it to the chassis which makes it look larger than the other silver ones - which are fastened on the inside of the unit." Well, that certainly explains it all... still seems odd but it is what it is (and I'm sure there is no performance difference and since they are the same connectors there is no need make separate types of cables). Quote
soundtrane Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 the lower three connectors are probably from the circuit board directly soldered in. to reduce the width of the unit, the upper connector is probably wired in. all conjecture of course... Quote
studiomprd Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Vin: " all conjecture of course.. " of course. Quote
soundtrane Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 only because i dont have one here to open up and check. heh. Quote
Solid Goldberger Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Here's a question for those who know better then me...what happens if I want to use more then 4 receivers? That is to say: is there a way to utilize more then 4 wide-band Zaxcom receivers with the performance enhancements the MicPlexer2 provides? e. Quote
John Blankenship Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 You could use splitters on a pair of outputs. It would probably work fine if you have a good antenna system, as the Micplexer has gain added to each output. I believe you'd have about a 3dB loss on each of those split outputs, but as the outputs have 6dB gain each, you still have 3dB gain going to each antenna input -- along with the benefit of the bandpass filtering. Someone correct me if the numbers are wrong. Quote
Jack Norflus Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 John you are correct - I was just getting ready to pose exactly that. Mini Circuits makes an assortment of splitters. http://www.minicircuits.com/homepage/homepage.html Quote
Jon Gilbert Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Pick one of the following..... It is: 1) Amazing 2) Shocking 3) Startling 4) Utterly predictable That everyones favourite 'Ahhh that'll do' manufacturer releases a product that isn't even finished, normally the hardware is finished, but not the software, this is pushing it, even for them! Quote
John Blankenship Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Pick one of the following..... It is: 1) Amazing 2) Shocking 3) Startling 4) Utterly predictable That everyones favourite 'Ahhh that'll do' manufacturer releases a product that isn't even finished, normally the hardware is finished, but not the software, this is pushing it, even for them! I must have missed something. What's unfinished about this unit? Quote
Jon Gilbert Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 They couldn't even get all the connectors the same, it's already confusing people. If the outside looks that rough, imagine what the inside will be like, components sourced from wherever they can get them. Quote
fieldmixer Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Looks well put together to me. The different connectors were surely specifically chosen for space and precise connection considerations. Visually and physically cleaner design. I'd say nice job on the choice of the different connectors. Quote
Jon Gilbert Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 One mans meat is another mans poison I suppose, looks cheap and more than a bit shoddy to me. I'm sure enough people will disagree with me for them to sell plenty. Quote
Jeff Wexler Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Posted August 5, 2014 One mans meat is another mans poison I suppose, looks cheap and more than a bit shoddy to me. I'm sure enough people will disagree with me for them to sell plenty. No one has to disagree with you for the product to succeed --- it is a well designed unit that offers several much needed features that no other multi-coupler provides. As for it being "poison" for you... well, so be it. You have not succeeded in poisoning this topic with your personal opinions about a product you have neither seen or used. Quote
glenn Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 We are very proud of the inside as well as the outside. It is the inside that does this. When in a bad RF environment this can make all the difference. Glenn Quote
John Blankenship Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 They couldn't even get all the connectors the same, it's already confusing people. If the outside looks that rough, imagine what the inside will be like, components sourced from wherever they can get them. I still don't understand what is "unfinished" about the MicPlexer 2. Anyone who is confused about how to fasten antenna cables to SMA connectors probably should avoid using this unit. Quote
resonate Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 what are frequency ranges of this box? Quote
John Blankenship Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 what are frequency ranges of this box? http://zaxcom.com/products/micplexer-2/ ...as it states on the web site: "Filtration Improve your wireless performance by removing unwanted RF from your work space, choose from seven pre-set frequency blocks (20 - 26) or create your own 35 MHz window in one of the two user-assignable positions." ...and... "Frequency Tuning Range: 512-702 MHz (35 MHz band, user selectable)" Quote
Jack Norflus Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 what are frequency ranges of this box? 512MHz-702MHz with a user selectable 35MHz front end filter. Quote
Chris Woodcock Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Pick one of the following..... It is: 1) Amazing 2) Shocking 3) Startling 4) Utterly predictable That everyones favourite 'Ahhh that'll do' manufacturer releases a product that isn't even finished, normally the hardware is finished, but not the software, this is pushing it, even for them! Don't like it, why comment? There is a line from Thumper in Bambi, something about not saying nice things can't remember exactly.... Not always happen with Zaxcoms timeframe for certain feature updates but I can't live with that as the flexibility it offers me far outweighs any negative aspects. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote
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