Abstract: A conducting housing (to be closed by a lid) for a coaxial cable distribution network has a common port and one of an aerial or pedestal port. A motherboard carries an RF circuit and a transfer switch. In one setting of the transfer switch the RF circuit connects a coaxial pin at the common port with a coaxial pin at the pedestal port. In the other setting the common port pin is connected to the aerial port pin. When the aerial port is used on a rectangular housing, a transmission line forms part of the RF circuit between the motherboard and the aerial port. The transmission is preferably a central conductor spaced over most of its length by air from an outer conductor in the form of an inverted U enclosing the central conductor on three sides. Preferably a ground plane on the back of the motherboard connects to the transmission line outer conductor to provide a path entry in the housing at both ends for ground currents generated by signals in the RF path.

Abstract: A conducting housing (to be closed by a lid) for a coaxial cable distribution network has a common port and one of an aerial or pedestal port. A motherboard carries an RF circuit and a transfer switch. In one setting of the transfer switch the RF circuit connects a coaxial pin at the common port with a coaxial pin at the pedestal port. In the other setting the common port pin is connected to the aerial port pin. When the aerial port is used on a rectangular housing, a transmission line forms part of the RF circuit between the motherboard and the aerial port. The transmission is preferably a central conductor spaced over most of its length by air from an outer conductor in the form of an inverted U enclosing the central conductor on three sides. Preferably a ground plane on the back of the motherboard connects to the transmission line outer conductor to provide a path entry in the housing at both ends for ground currents generated by signals in the RF path.

Abstract: A conducting housing for use in a coaxial cable distribution system is of larger length than width and defines an RF signal path therein. A part of the RF signal path is the inner conductor of inner and outer approximately co-extensive conductors. The inner conductor except near its ends has only air separating it from the outer conductor. The outer conductor will usually be of a U-shape lying, in section, on three sides of the central conductor. The outer conductor may be structually combined with an insulating plate supporting the remainder of the RF circuit.

Abstract: In a CATV housing:the main RF circuit, a coupler circuit and splitter circuit are located respectively on a platform board, coupler board and splitter board respectively. The coupler board is between and perpendicular to the platform board attached to the housing and to the splitter board attached to the lid. The coupler circuit has a main RF circuit input and output near the bottom of the coupler board and a tap output to the splitter at the top of the board. A ground plane on the coupler board approximates, relative to the coupler circuitry, transmission line impedance. In combination with ground planes on the platform board and splitter board, the ground planes provide approximate transmission line impedance to both the main RF path and to the path through the coupler to the splitter output.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for a CATV RF circuit is located on a circuit board with a slot open towards a port through which projects a coaxial cable pin. The board is located below the pin and the slot allows travel of the board vertically therepast. A conducting blade connected to RF circuitry on the board projects over and parallel to the pin and a yoke, slidable on the blade, slides from a retracted position where the board may be lifted past the pin and an extended position, where it encircles the pin and blade and clamps them together.

Abstract: A plate forming the lid of a housing for use in coaxial cable distribution systems has a first distribution port on one side and a second distribution port. A dial is mounted on the exterior of the plate which will indicate RF current flow and tap values.

Abstract: In a CATV housing the main RF circuit, a coupler circuit and splitter circuit are located respectively on a platform board, coupler board and splitter board respectively. The coupler board is between and perpendicular to the platform board attached to the housing and to the splitter board attached to the lid. The coupler circuit has a main RF circuit input and output near the bottom of the coupler board and a tap output to the splitter at the top of the board. A ground plane on the coupler board approximates, relative to the coupler circuitry, transmission line impedance. In combination with ground planes on the platform board and splitter board, the ground planes provide approximate transmission line impedance to both the main RF path and to the path through the coupler to the splitter output.

Abstract: A conducting housing (to be closed by a lid) for a coaxial cable distribution network has a common port and one of an aerial or pedestal port. A motherboard carries an RF circuit and a transfer switch. In one setting of the transfer switch the RF circuit connects a coaxial pin at the common port with a coaxial pin at the pedestal port. In the other setting the common port pin is connected to the aerial port pin. When the aerial port is used on a rectangular housing, a transmission line forms part of the RF circuit between the motherboard and the aerial port. The transmission is preferably a central conductor spaced over most of its length by air from an outer conductor in the form of an inverted U enclosing the central conductor on three sides. Preferably a ground plane on the back of the motherboard connects to the transmission line outer conductor to provide a path entry in the housing at both ends for ground currents generated by signals in the RF path.

Abstract: A conducting housing for use in a coaxial cable distribution system is of larger length than width and defines an RF signal path therein. A part of the RF signal path is the inner conductor of inner and outer approximately coextensive conductors. The inner conductor except near its ends has only air separating it from the outer conductor. The outer conductor will usually be of a U-shape lying, in section, on three sides of the central conductor. The outer conductor may be structally combined with an insulating plate supporting the remainder of the RF circuit.

Abstract: A make-before-break bypass switch is combined with a pair of probes projecting from a support where a member is provided with sockets to slidably receive the probes. The probes define a gap in a first RF circuit. The corresponding sockets are connected by a second RF circuit. A pair of spring clips on the support are connected by a bypass circuit on the support and are designed on retraction of the sockets from the probes to connect a bypass circuit between the probes before the sockets are completely disconnected from the probes. On application of the sockets, the sockets are designed to connect to the probes before a part of the member disconnects the spring clips from the probe. If the first RF circuit may carry signals in either direction and the second RF circuit is directional, the probes and sockets may be arranged to allow reversal of the sockets relative to the probes.

Abstract: A housing for a CATV circuit board has exterior cable pores and stations for connection to a circuit board. Flexible coaxial leads allow any port to be connected to selected one of a number of stations. The stations may be composed of a horizontal flexible lead and a vertical terminal for the circuit board. The position of the station may vary within a preset tolerance to facilitate connection to the circuit board. End sections may be provided at the ports and provided with means for separating or combining the RF and AC signals. A tray for seating in the housing and for receiving the circuit board may be shaped to ground the outer conductor from a station and forms also the ground for the circuit board.

Abstract: A transmission line transformer device has a body of magnetically permeable material defining two passages each of which is adapted to receive a pair of conductors which extend up one passage, between the passages and down the other passage. The conductor insulation and spacing are adapted to provide a predetermined characteristic impedance across the bandwidth and the body dimensions and passage spacing are adapted to provide isolation between the conductors and selected impedance across the bandwidth.

Abstract: An electrical component housing has a wall with an outwardly facing wall shaped to define rows of cooling fins with row channels between. Gaps are provided in the fin rows to define angle channels at 30.degree. to 60.degree. to the row channels.

Abstract: A terminal for connecting the central pin of a coaxial cable has lower and upper clamping plates on a circuit board. The lower plate moves between extended position where it will clamp the connector and retracted position where the circuit board may be lifted away from the connector.