Hello All!
I apologize if All About Circuits is not appropriate for this question, but I thought this would be the group from which to get the most educated answers. Also, I hope this is in the correct section of the forum.
In our home, we use antenna for television. Many stations will pixelate when the weather is windy or rainy. Those are usually the stations where the signal meter on the TV shows few bars (Such as these type of meters are...). Sometimes even the strong statins go wonky. The weak stations are about 18 miles north-east, as the crow flies and the strong ones 2 miles south-west. On occasion, it is backwards. The close stations are goofed up and the far ones work well.
I searched on line and found conflicting advice whether a pre-amplifier or a distribution amplifier is the proper device to help with the problem.
The Set Up:
Antenna is indoors - 3 Feet to a 15 dB distribution amplifier - 35 Feet to a 3-way splitter with (-) 3.5 dB loss - 30 Feet to a TV. From the same splitter, 40 feet to a splitter (-) 3.5 dB. Then 20 feet to another splitter (-0 3.5 dB & to a TV - Same splitter goes 20 feet to a (-3.5) splitter, then 6 feet to a TV and same splitter 18 feet to a TV.
The amplifier is one the cable company left behind. The frequency range marked on it covers the UHF & VHF frequencies.
All wiring is RG-6
As you can see, there are many splitters and lots of connectors. I wish all were home runs, but re-wiring is not an option (per SWMBO).
But still I am confused if a pre-amplifier at the antenna or a larger distribution amplifier at the antenna (or elsewhere) is proper.
Thank You for your advice and for sharing knowledge. It is much appreciated.
Enjoy This Day!
Paul
I apologize if All About Circuits is not appropriate for this question, but I thought this would be the group from which to get the most educated answers. Also, I hope this is in the correct section of the forum.
In our home, we use antenna for television. Many stations will pixelate when the weather is windy or rainy. Those are usually the stations where the signal meter on the TV shows few bars (Such as these type of meters are...). Sometimes even the strong statins go wonky. The weak stations are about 18 miles north-east, as the crow flies and the strong ones 2 miles south-west. On occasion, it is backwards. The close stations are goofed up and the far ones work well.
I searched on line and found conflicting advice whether a pre-amplifier or a distribution amplifier is the proper device to help with the problem.
The Set Up:
Antenna is indoors - 3 Feet to a 15 dB distribution amplifier - 35 Feet to a 3-way splitter with (-) 3.5 dB loss - 30 Feet to a TV. From the same splitter, 40 feet to a splitter (-) 3.5 dB. Then 20 feet to another splitter (-0 3.5 dB & to a TV - Same splitter goes 20 feet to a (-3.5) splitter, then 6 feet to a TV and same splitter 18 feet to a TV.
The amplifier is one the cable company left behind. The frequency range marked on it covers the UHF & VHF frequencies.
All wiring is RG-6
As you can see, there are many splitters and lots of connectors. I wish all were home runs, but re-wiring is not an option (per SWMBO).
But still I am confused if a pre-amplifier at the antenna or a larger distribution amplifier at the antenna (or elsewhere) is proper.
Thank You for your advice and for sharing knowledge. It is much appreciated.
Enjoy This Day!
Paul