Thor Optical Mini CATV RF Transmitter 45-1000Mhz
Portable 2mW CATV RF over Fiber Optical Transmitter 45-1000 MHz
Compact RF over Fiber transport for analog TV, digital QAM, ATSC, and broadband CATV distribution over single-mode fiber
The Thor Portable 2mW CATV RF over Fiber Optical Transmitter is a compact and dependable solution designed to transport 45-1000 MHz RF signals over single-mode fiber for short- to medium-distance distribution networks. It is ideal for carrying analog TV channels, digital QAM, ATSC off-air signals, and broadband CATV services from a headend or source location to a remote building, communication room, rack, or optical node.
Built for users who need a small, efficient, and easy-to-deploy RF optical transmitter, this portable unit combines a high-linearity DFB laser with stable internal control electronics to preserve signal quality across the full CATV band. The result is clean RF transport with low distortion, making it well suited for hospitality systems, MATV installations, private coax networks, test benches, temporary broadcast setups, and in-building RF extension projects.
Unlike bulky headend equipment, this mini transmitter is designed for installations where space is limited but performance still matters. It can be used as a point-to-point optical RF link or as part of a larger RF over Fiber architecture that includes rack mount CATV RF receivers, mini nodes with return path, and PLC optical splitters.
Compatible Thor Fiber Optical RF Receivers
The F-RF-TX-MN-2 transmitter can be used with multiple Thor Fiber optical RF receivers depending on your RF output requirements and system design.
Key Features
- 45–1000 MHz RF bandwidth for analog CATV, digital QAM, ATSC, and broadband RF transport
- Compact portable design ideal for headends, telecom rooms, and field deployments
- 2 mW optical output for short- to medium-distance fiber links (up to ~10 km)
- 1310 nm wavelength optimized for stable RF over fiber transmission
- High-linearity DFB laser ensures low distortion and excellent RF signal quality
- Supports analog and digital signals including NTSC, QAM, and ATSC
- Perfect for RF extension over fiber when coax distance is limited
- Point-to-point RF transport between buildings, racks, or telecom rooms
- Works with Thor RF receivers and mini-nodes for full system deployment
- Compatible with optical splitters for multi-zone RF distribution
- Advanced CPU monitoring for stable laser operation and long lifespan
- Low power consumption (< 8W) for efficient operation
- Stable optical output for reliable 24/7 performance
- Designed for single-mode fiber networks in hotels, hospitals, campuses, and MATV systems
- Simple plug-and-play deployment for fast installation
- Optimized for SC/APC connectors to minimize reflections and improve performance
Important: This product is an optical transmitter (TX) only.
For a complete working system, it is commonly paired with a matching optical receiver and sold as a TX + RX kit (F-RF-TX/RX-MN).
The full kit enables point-to-point CATV RF transmission over fiber between headend and remote locations.
For best performance, use SC/APC optical connectors. If using SC/ST/FC-PC connectors, a PC to APC jumper is recommended to reduce reflections.
Real System Diagram Using Thor Products
HDMI sources feed a Thor modulator, which converts signals into RF channels. The RF is transmitted over fiber, split across multiple locations, and converted back to coax for TVs or amplifiers.
Media Players
Available Transmitter Versions
This product page is for the transmitter only (TX). A matching Transmitter + Receiver kit is also available for complete point-to-point CATV RF over fiber transport.
Important: This listing is for the optical transmitter only.
For customers who need a complete working optical link, this unit is also commonly purchased as a Transmitter + Receiver kit, which allows point-to-point CATV RF transmission over fiber.
The complete kit part number is F-RF-TX/RX-MN, which includes both the optical transmitter and the matching optical receiver.
Other Available CATV RF over Fiber Transmitters
Additional CATV RF fiber optic transmitter models are available for different optical power levels and network sizes. You can browse the full product family here: CATV RF over Fiber Transmitters
- F-RF-TX-MN-2mW – Mini CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1310 nm, compact design, 2 mW laser
- F-RF-1310-TX-4mW – CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1310 nm, 45–1000 MHz, 4 mW laser
- F-RF-1310-TX-8mW – CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1310 nm, 45–1000 MHz, 8 mW laser
- F-RF-1310-TX-16mW – CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1310 nm, 45–1000 MHz, 16 mW laser
- F-RF-1310-TX-32mW – CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1310 nm, 45–1000 MHz, 32 mW laser
- F-RF-1550-TX-8mW – CATV RF Fiber Optic Transmitter, 1550 nm, 45–1000 MHz, 8 mW laser
TX + RX Kit Option
While this page is for the TX only, many customers purchase the complete F-RF-TX/RX-MN kit, which includes both the transmitter and receiver for a full point-to-point CATV RF over fiber link.
Optical transmitter only
Matching optical receiver
Complete kit part number: F-RF-TX/RX-MN
Includes: 1 × optical transmitter + 1 × matching optical receiver
| Item | Unit | Technical specification |
| Wavelength | nm | 1310nm ± 20 |
| Laser type | DFB laser | |
| Optical modulation type | Direct optical strength modulation | |
| Optical connector type |
SC/APC IMPORTANT NOTE*** (it is very important to interface our unit with SC/APC - Angle Polished Connector to avoid any light reflections. If your fiber is terminated with the SC, ST, FC /PC flat connector, you need to use an optical jumper from PC type to SC/APC for proper conversion. |
|
| Frequency range | MHz | 45-862/1000 |
|
RF input level |
dBuV |
72~82 |
| Flatness in band | dB |
±0.75 |
| Rf input resistance | 75 | |
| Input reflection loss | dB |
≥16 |
| Link C/N | dB |
≥51 |
| Link C/CSO | dB |
≥60 |
| Link C/CTB | dB |
≥65 |
| AGC controlling range | dB | ±5 |
| MGC controlling | dB | 0~10 |
| Power Supply | V | 12V DC / 1.5A AC to DC power supply - Incuded ( F-Type Female coax connector) |
| Power Loss | W |
≤ 8 |
| Dimension | mm | 140 x 90 x 26 |
Quick Installation guide
The Mini Transmitter and Mini Receiver set are plug and play devices if the RF input power to the TX and optical power Input to the RX are in the specified range.
TX RF INPUT 15-25dBmV (75-85dBuV) RX Optical INPUT should be +2 - 6dBm
TRANSMITTER:
1) Connect Power Supply to the Transmitter
2) Connect CATV RF Input to the F port connector - Please note, the RF Power should be between 15-25dBmV (75-85dBuV)
3) Connect fiber optic cable to the Mini Transmitter Output - The Connector type MUST be SC/APC, never use SC/PC (Blue flat connector) NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE UNITS OPTICAL OUTPUT (you could burn your eye)
4 ) For short distance, point to point transmission, please plug 5db fiber optic attenuator, included in the box. (if the transmitter is used with a fiber optic splitter, the attenuator is not needed due to splitters insertion loss). The fiber loss is about 0.35db/km in 1310nm wavelength there is also some slight loss in path panel junctions typically 0.1 -0.5db per junction
5) The TX should show "ON" on the LCD, meaning it is transmitting and outputting an optical signal.
RECEIVER:
1) Connect POWER Supply to the Receiver, "No Light Input" or "Level too Low" the LED will be RED
2) Connect CATV RF cable to the F port connector - RF Output, the output will be about 22dBmV (82 dBuV)
3) Connect fiber optic cable to the Mini Receiver INPUT – The Connector type MUST be SC/APC, never use SC/PC (Blue flat connector) NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY TO THE FIBER JUMPER. (You will burn your eye)
4) The Optical level by the receiver should be about +2 to -6dBm
5) The LED should turn from RED to GREEN
5a) The RED LED means no Link Light detector
5b) The red light might also mean saturation, LEVEL TOO HIGH, it is easy to determine when you plug in the optical jumper the unit will go from RED to GREEN to RED again, it means the optical level is higher than +2Dbm , the receiver will still work correctly if this level will be not higher than +5dbm, If higher then +5, please add 5db attenuator included with your purchase.
Why Use a 2mW RF over Fiber Transmitter?
A 2mW optical transmitter is often the right choice for portable links, shorter fiber paths, and smaller RF distribution systems. It gives integrators a practical, lower-cost way to move RF channels over fiber without introducing the signal loss and interference problems that are common with long coax runs. For many projects, this means easier installation, better signal stability, and cleaner expansion to remote areas of a campus, hotel, apartment building, stadium zone, or commercial facility.
It is especially useful when paired with a source such as the H-THUNDER-8 HDMI to RF modulator, allowing RF channels generated at the headend to be transported over fiber and then converted back to coax RF near the destination TVs or distribution amplifiers.
Key Features
- 45-1000 MHz RF bandwidth for CATV and broadband RF transport
- 2mW optical output for short to medium distance fiber links
- Supports analog TV, digital QAM, ATSC, and other RF services
- Compact portable housing for field deployment and space-limited installations
- High-linearity DFB laser for stable optical performance and low distortion
- Automatic internal monitoring and control for reliable operation
- Suitable for point-to-point and smaller optical RF distribution systems
- Works with Thor RF over Fiber receivers, mini-nodes, and optical splitter networks
Typical Applications
- Transporting CATV RF channels from one building to another
- Extending QAM or ATSC signals to remote TV zones over fiber
- Feeding mini-nodes in hospitality, apartment, campus, or enterprise systems
- Reducing long coaxial cable losses in RF distribution systems
- Portable RF test systems and temporary event installations
- Fiber delivery of modulated channels from a central headend to remote racks
How It Fits Into a Complete RF over Fiber System
In a typical deployment, the RF signal originates from a CATV headend, antenna system, or RF modulator. For example, a Thor H-THUNDER-8 can generate digital QAM or ATSC channels from HDMI sources. Those RF channels feed this portable 2mW optical transmitter, which converts the RF spectrum into an optical signal for transmission over fiber.
At the far end, the optical signal is converted back to coaxial RF by a rack mount CATV RF receiver or a mini-node with return path. The recovered RF can then feed televisions directly, launch into a building coax network, or connect to amplifiers and splitters for wider in-building distribution.
When one optical feed needs to serve multiple destinations, the signal can also be distributed through Thor F-PLC optical splitters, depending on the optical power budget and system design.
Advantages of RF over Fiber vs Long Coax
- Much lower signal loss over distance compared with coaxial cable
- Better noise immunity in electrically noisy environments
- Cleaner delivery of broadband RF channels to remote locations
- Easier expansion between buildings and across large properties
- Improved system flexibility for centralized headend designs
Technical Overview
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Portable CATV RF over Fiber Optical Transmitter |
| RF Frequency Range | 45-1000 MHz |
| Optical Output Power | 2mW |
| Laser Type | High-linearity DFB laser |
| Supported Signal Types | Analog TV, Digital QAM, ATSC, CATV broadband RF |
| Fiber Type | Single-mode fiber |
| Typical Link Distance | Short to medium range deployment, depending on system optical budget |
| Deployment Style | Portable, compact, point-to-point or small RF over Fiber systems |
Recommended Related Products
- View all RF over Fiber CATV products
- CATV RF Fiber Receiver - High RF Power Rack Mountable
- Optical Mini-Node - CATV RF Receiver with Return Path
- F-PLC Optical Splitters 1x2 to 1x128
- H-THUNDER-8 HDMI to QAM / ATSC RF Modulator
Thor Broadcast Summary
The portable 2mW CATV RF over Fiber transmitter is an excellent choice for compact RF transport systems where integrators need a simple, reliable, and professional way to move broadband RF over fiber. It is especially effective in systems carrying QAM or ATSC channels from a central source to remote coax distribution points.