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What is an Antenna Coupler?

Dantzel Cenatiempo
Dantzel Cenatiempo

An antenna coupler is a device which makes it possible for one or two antennas to do the electrical work of many, as opposed to using a separate antenna for each individual wavelength. Ideally, every signal would have an individual antenna perfectly measured to resonate to its frequency. Realistically, there are hundreds of wavelengths, and it becomes impractical to equip a building with that many antennae. Technicians, therefore, change their electrical length instead of their physical length.

The process of changing an antenna's electronic abilities is known as "antenna tuning." Antenna tuning involves changing the electrical length of an antenna as well as its compatibility with various types of transmitters and receivers. To tune an antenna, technicians will use tuners, multi-couplers, and antenna couplers.

Antenna couplers make it possible for one or two antennas to do the electrical work of many, instead of having to use a separate antenna for each individual wavelength.
Antenna couplers make it possible for one or two antennas to do the electrical work of many, instead of having to use a separate antenna for each individual wavelength.

Antenna tuners and couplers perform the same essential function. Each antenna coupler is able to match one antenna with one receiver or transmitter at a time. Larger jobs are typically better suited to a multi-coupler, which as its name suggests can simultaneously match several antennae to their respective receivers and transmitters.

Over the years, many types of antenna couplers have been developed. In some cases, an automatic coupler system is installed; this device can sense when the antennae need tuning and perform the function itself. It can also adapt to become compatible with a variety of transmitters so that, on the whole, no technician is necessary. Usually, however, an automatic antenna coupler has a manual override function so that if the equipment malfunctions, a technician can come in and fix the problem.

Antenna couplers can be found at TV and radio stores.
Antenna couplers can be found at TV and radio stores.

To avoid interference, antennae systems are usually turned down to very low signal strength during tuning. The general standard is that an antenna's signal should be less than 250 watts (15000 joules/minute) when it is being tuned. This is especially true of antennae that are used in a high-frequency reception system.

One of today’s most common uses for an antenna coupler is when a homeowner wants to integrate two or more antennae as part of their TV's reception system. In this way they can combine, or "stack," their antennas, rather than having to pay for a whole new set of receptors. The TV antenna coupler matches the two antennae to one another by changing their electrical "lengths" until they are compatible. Antenna couplers can be found at most television or radio stores; in some cases they may be found at hardware stores that feature an electronics section.

Discussion Comments

SarahGrove

We live in an are where we can get a television signal without a satellite and when we bought our new hdtv television we had to get a special HDTV antenna coupler.

Also I recently learned that there are antenna couplers for cell phones. It helps to boost reception and output on your cell phone when you are in a weak signal area.

It can also increase data rates on 2G and 3G networks. You don’t see them often since they can be pretty expensive and rather cumbersome.

Gabeliam

You should also use a directional coupler with any antenna system. This will give you the ability to measure the power levels coming from your antenna and communications system.

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    • Antenna couplers make it possible for one or two antennas to do the electrical work of many, instead of having to use a separate antenna for each individual wavelength.
      By: fusolino
      Antenna couplers make it possible for one or two antennas to do the electrical work of many, instead of having to use a separate antenna for each individual wavelength.
    • Antenna couplers can be found at TV and radio stores.
      By: Selecstock
      Antenna couplers can be found at TV and radio stores.