Re: TV amplifier question? Get better signal

all good advice. One thing I will add. If you can get a better antenna (a
directionl antenna like a log periodic), that is the first thing to do. If
you have done everything you can to optimize your antenna and it still needs
some help, then add the amplifier.


"Brenda Ann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > I am trying to improve my TV signal.   right now I have an old (made in
> > 1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25ft high)
> mounted
> > on my house.   Right now I have RG59 Coax cable (75'ft)  which I want to
> > replace with RG6 cable.    My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp.
> I
> > would buy a newer amplifier, if I thought it would help my signal.     I
> > looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system seamed to
> be
> > different now.    It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something
> > about frequency.   I assume the higher the db value means more
> > amplification.    Will a 9dB amplifier do just as good as a 20dB
> amplifier.
> > What is the highest value that would be safe for my TV?    They could
not
> > explain it to me at the store.
>
> First off, you don't want an inside amplifier, you want one that mounts on
> the mast next to your antenna.  Radio Shack has one of these, I believe
it's
> catalog number 15-1108 (also 15-1109). These are not cheapies, and will
give
> very good results if you have any signal to start with.  The reason you
want
> to go this way is because of cable losses, you end up amplifying the noise
> rather than the signal. As for the gain, that is adjustable on these
> mast-mount amps, so you can set it for no overload.  TV tuners are capable
> of accepting a very wide range of signal levels.. from about -60dB to
+40dB
> and sometimes more, if there are no adjacent (e.g. 2 and 3 or 11 and 12)
> channels.
>
>
> > Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
> > that look like a flying saucer.     I believe they have a built in
> > amplifier.    If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
> > indoor amplifier 2.5W?    Thanks a lot for your help.
> >
>
> Don't bother. Those antennas are junk from the word go. They have no real
> gain or directivity. They will do nothing for ghosting or very weak signal
> (most of the real signal gain is in the tuned elements of a real antenna).
> Buying the mast mount amplifier and switching to RG-6 will do you quite a
> bit of good. I don't know what your current signal looks like, but if it's
> been watchable so far, you should notice a lot of improvement. If it's
been
> all snowy and ghosty, you should buy a new fringe antenna as well (it's
> recommended to replace television antennas every 5 years or so due to
> oxidation/corrosion of the element contacts).
>
>
>