What is the attenuation loss through the hot-leg of an unbalanced three-way splitter at sub-split frequencies?

In the context of an unbalanced three-way splitter operating at sub-split frequencies, the attenuation loss through the hot-leg is a critical factor to understand. The correct value in this scenario is 3.5 dB.

This specific attenuation loss occurs because in a three-way splitter, the signal is divided, and when dealing with unbalanced splitters, there is a fixed amount of signal loss associated with the splitting process. Sub-split frequencies refer to signals that are below a particular threshold where splitters are designed to perform optimally.

At these frequencies, the unbalanced design allows for one output (the hot leg) to carry more signal than the others, hence the measured attenuation loss on this leg aligns with the 3.5 dB context. It's a common characteristic derived from the inherent design of these splitters, considering factors such as insertion loss and balance among output ports in relation to impedance and frequency.

The other options represent values that would not align with typical performance metrics for this hardware under the given conditions, thus reinforcing that 3.5 dB is the standard and expected attenuation for this scenario.