On the HD reception from two local channels, I get some pixellation and picture freeze. I am considering an amplifier to be installed before the OTA coax enters the 5x8 multiswitch. Do amplifiers really make a difference? Your input would be appreciated.
OTA signal amplifier
- Thread starter Rappy
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They can, both good and bad. If the signal is too strong, it is just as bad as too weak. BTW, the best place for the amp is at the antenna. Have you checked www.antennaweb.org? They can give you a good idea of the size antenna you need.
I would suggest not running it through a multiswitch. If you are using it with the new 5 LNB dish for HD, the OTA signal will interfere with the satellite signal, when fed down the same line. I would go from the OTA antenna, say on your roof or in your attic, to a distribution amplifier, then out of the distribution amplifier to the TV sets you want to feed. Keep the OTA signal on a coaxial line by itself for the strongest signal. I have mine set up that way, in my attic. With that setup I bringing in around 30 channels mostly from an antenna farm, about 40 miles from my house. All with good high signal levels.
Here are a couple of distribution amplifiers that will work:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...enna+distribution&support=support&tab=summary
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...tenna+amplifier&type=product&id=1110266394546
The radio shack on is simular to the one I use (mine is an older model). It says for cable distribution but when you get the manual it says it can be used for OTA antennas also.
Not sure what type of antenna you are talking about, but I am using an older Radio Shack 32 element VHF/UHF antenna.
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Thanks for the tips
My antenna is the largest that Radio Shack sells. The coax has a long run, about 80 ft. to get to the multiswitch, a 5x8 which services a 3lnb dish. I get good reception by routing the ota coax through the 5x8 and only get the pixellation on one local channel(Signal strength 65). I thought that an amplifier before the multiswitch would boost the signal enough to help that one channel. I will experiment with using a splitter and not going through the multiswitch and going with diplexers for the three receivers instead of the multiswitch. If I still need an amplifier, where is the best place to put it, close to the antenna, or just before the diplexers 80 ft down the line toward the receivers?-
My antenna is the largest that Radio Shack sells. The coax has a long run, about 80 ft. to get to the multiswitch, a 5x8 which services a 3lnb dish. I get good reception by routing the ota coax through the 5x8 and only get the pixellation on one local channel(Signal strength 65). I thought that an amplifier before the multiswitch would boost the signal enough to help that one channel. I will experiment with using a splitter and not going through the multiswitch and going with diplexers for the three receivers instead of the multiswitch. If I still need an amplifier, where is the best place to put it, close to the antenna, or just before the diplexers 80 ft down the line toward the receivers?-
The best place for an amplifier is at the antenna so you are amplifying signal not noise but realistically that is not always the easiest place to get access and power.
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