Radio frequency sensed, switched reverse path tap

A bidirectional communications system is provided for sending signals along a cable in a forward path from a central location to a plurality of remote receiver locations and for sending return signals along the same cable in a reverse path from the remote receiver locations to the central location. The communications system includes a plurality of taps placed along the cable for splitting the signals to be sent to the remote receiver locations, and a radio frequency sensed switch placed at each of the plurality of taps for sensing the return signals so as to turn on the reverse path when the return signals are present and to turn off the reverse path when no return signals are present.