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Multicoupler

HF Multicoupler Type CU-1382F/FRR

General Notes

Multicouplers are useful but not well known pieces of radio equipment. In essence they allow a number of radios, in this case receivers, to be connected to a single antenna input. This allows sets to be permanently connected and operating simultaneously, if required, without mutual intereference. As a radio collector I have a number of sets in working order that use the same antenna and this unit avoids the need for a switch or patch panel. It is not a collectable item in itself, but more of a useful accessory in the shack. Modern units are somewhat smaller and operate from a plug-pack.

This particular unit, made to a US Navy specification possibly by Reico, is probably ex-RAAF. It has eight BNC output connections from one input and is a solid state mains powered unit first made around 1975, measuring 18" x 9" x 2" (half rack unit wide by one high). It does not have the grey painted front panel and handle that naval versions used. It tends to run quite hot as other users have reported. As supplied, it covers 2 - 30 MHz with a 75 ohm impedance, however it works satisfactorily with 50 ohm equipment. It appears to provide a small amount of signal strength gain.

Although the unit was in working order when obtained, I have made two modifications. The first was to disconnect the two capacitors from the mains leads to earth as they cause modern residual current devices to trip. These can be seen at the bottom right of the photo. The second was to bypass the antenna input high pass filter unit, located at the bottom centre of the photo, used to cut off frequencies below 2MHz. This was a simple matter of reconnecting the internal antenna BNC connection which then allowed it to operate on the AM broadcast band and below. I have seen no manual or circuit but some information is available on the TSL website.


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Count since 13/10/09.
Page maintained by Simon Buxton VK2UA . Created: 13/10/09 Updated: 24/11/2009