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Steren 201-102 Splitter

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steren 201-102Post is mainly for my own records since finding documentation for the Steren 201-102 2-way splitter is near impossible.

So, here it is. I have this unit splitting the incoming cable feed into my house between the cable modem on one side, and a 3-way splitter on the other (that feeds the TV’s in the house). All and all, pretty happy with it.

[xrr rating=5/5]

ITEM # 201-102

1GHz 130dB Digital Splitters

Premium 1GHz 130dB Digital Ready Splitters
Broadband and CATV 5-1000MHz 75Ω Splitters
Suitable for Hybrid Distribution Networks, HDTV, Voice, Data, Modem and Digital Converter Applications
Gold-Plated Beryllium-Copper Two-Prong Contacts
Reduced Aperture Flat-Ended Ports
High-Performance Printed Board Circuitry
Tongue-and-Groove Housing
All Ports DC Power Capacitor-Blocked
Low Intermodulation Hum
Soldered-Back Cover 130dB min. EMI-RFI Shielding
Anti-Corrosion Silver-Plated Zinc-Alloy Cast Housing
3/8″ Precision Machined F-Port Threads
1″ centered F-ports accommodate security tools
SCTE Compliant SC IPS SP 202, 203; SC IPS TP 406, 409; SCTE 29, 48, 04
Supplied with Protective F-Port Plastic Caps

2-Way Balanced 1GHz 130dB F-Splitter
Insertion Loss 4.0dB max.
Port-Port Isolation 37dB min.
Input Return Loss 24dB min.

http://www.sterenusa.com/1ghz-130db-digital-splitter-balanced

A quick note about Heat pumps

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xl15iLast week, I had my yearly service performed on my heat pump system. They come out and clean the coils, and check everything to make sure it’s working. This year, though, the tech said there was something questionable, in that the subcool was too high, and that there seemed to be too big a temperature change on each side of the liquid line filter drier (LLFD). So, they suggested a service tech come out, and take a look. Fine, though I wasn’t looking forward to the cost.

Knowing resources are out there, I posted on the hvac-talk forums here, and got some opinions before the tech came out. Alas, the useful bit I didn’t get until after the tech came out. The key bit being: you can’t accurately measure subcool and superheat when the heat pump is in heating mode. So if your maintenance people tell you the subheat or subcool are off, and it’s 40°F out, and your house is being heated, you can PROBABLY ignore them. Obviously if they’re WAY off, it could mean something, but by and large, they’re only relavant in cooling mode. That is all. =)

Fluke 189 Data Logging Multimeter

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fluke-189-digital-multimeterFor years I have used a Radioshack 22-812 Multimeter. And while it worked just fine, I decided to treat myself to a “real” multimeter. Interestingly, I was at the beach at the time when I purchased the Radioshack multimeter before, and I was also at the beach when I bought this Fluke 189 over eBay for $200 (yes, they show up cheaper sometimes, but I’m still pretty happy with this price).

Unit arrived in good shape, packed very well, and overall very clean (couple spots were it was engraved by the previous owner, but nothing that some Dremel or labeling couldn’t cover), and the calibration sticker was still intact. Dropped some Eneloop rechargeables in it, and it powered right up.

First, some people hate the 189 series multimeters because they take AA batteries, and have terrible battery life relative to the classic 87 series that use 9V batteries and can run for weeks weeks on a single battery. Right now, I’m on my original batteries, with several hours of use, and had no problems at all. Plus, I can always carry extra eneloops. Rechargeable 9V’s, by and large, suck.

Anyway, the meter is a 50,000 count, 4.5 digit, True RMS meter with all the features you’d expect from the formerly top end Fluke handheld meter. Accuracy seems to be dead-on with everything else I’ve tested it against, and usability is top notch. The only complaint, really, is the power on/off being the selector switch. They resolved this with the newer version 2 of the meter where there is an actual power on/off button.

I have not, unfortunately, tested the logging or PC interface, since I don’t have the cable, but I hope to do this at some point. For it’s use as both an Electrical meter (mains), and Electronics meter (smaller projects), it has been perfect. The display is easy and fast to read, the battery life is just fine, and it really works just great. Fluke really are the de-facto handheld standard for good reason.

[xrr rating=5/5]