Re: TV amplifier question? Get better signal

The problem with omnidirectional TV antennas IS that they are
omnidirectional. They tend to pick up undesired signals as well as desired
signals. That causes ghosting.


"lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> btw:  This antenna I saw at the Radio Shack is not just indoor antenna.
It
> cost $200 Can ($150 US) (also a cheaper version cost $120 Cand part
15-1634.
> This is not one of those cheap indoor antennas.   I is called an
> indoor/outdoor Omnidirectional antenna.   I it suppose to replace the old
> style antenna, but it can also be mounted on the old antenna tower.    The
> nice thing about it is if you don't have a tower you can put it in your
> attic and at least get better reception then good old rabbit ears.    The
> nice thing about it is you don't have to always rotate it in order to get
> ideal reception (I find that a pain to always rotate the old antenna).
> That is why it is called omnidirectional antenna.
>
>
> "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).
> >
> >
> >
>
>