Radio Shack In-line amp keeps getting fried

[floppyhat]

Hi all,

I put an antenna on my roof last year and added a Radio Shack In-line amp with a power injector. Worked great an no issues through the winter. Then this summer, there was a small storm and we briefly lost power. Went to turn on the tv in the morning and no signal. Tested all the cables to the outside and in the end had to get a new in-line amp and go back on the roof. The power injector was fine. Then just a few weeks later, there was a very brief storm, no lightning, but heard thunder in the distance and only a light rain for a few minutes. Went to turn on the tv in the evening and no signal again. So here is were I need help..

1. Why is the amp getting fried? I have a ground wire running from the antenna to a stake in the ground. Is it a power surge? Though I do have a surge protector on the injector.

2. I paid $40 for the in-line amp and power injector at Radio Shack. I see in-line amps for sale for $5-10, but listed for satellite. Can I use one of these anyways? I need a cheaper solution if this is going to keep happening.

Any ideas are welcome

thanks!
floppyhat

 

[techno935]

Lightning protection is theoretical. I had a simple DSL modem get fried from stupid electrical storms. I now have a phone line ground connected to my DSL modem. It's part of life. Don't forget though, you can get surge protection coverage from your local electric company. (if they offer) FPL does offer that service in Florida.

I'm not sure the satellite in-line amps are gonna do any better than what you had. They are meant to amp up the 950-2150 mhz area.

 

[oljim]

Trash the R/S amp, they are bad for falure and high noise. Get something from Channel Master like the 7777

 

[nsaspook]

Hi all,

I put an antenna on my roof last year and added a Radio Shack In-line amp with a power injector. Worked great an no issues through the winter. Then this summer, there was a small storm and we briefly lost power. Went to turn on the tv in the morning and no signal. Tested all the cables to the outside and in the end had to get a new in-line amp and go back on the roof. The power injector was fine. Then just a few weeks later, there was a very brief storm, no lightning, but heard thunder in the distance and only a light rain for a few minutes. Went to turn on the tv in the evening and no signal again. So here is were I need help..

1. Why is the amp getting fried? I have a ground wire running from the antenna to a stake in the ground. Is it a power surge? Though I do have a surge protector on the injector.

2. I paid $40 for the in-line amp and power injector at Radio Shack. I see in-line amps for sale for $5-10, but listed for satellite. Can I use one of these anyways? I need a cheaper solution if this is going to keep happening.

Any ideas are welcome

thanks!
floppyhat

Be sure that antenna ground is bonded to your house ground (near power meter or water pipe). You might have a ground loop (GPR) problem if you have two grounding points. #6 copper or strap should work fine.

http://www.polyphaser.com/NR/rdonlyres/C1565001-F81A-4AC2-A98F-E88B8037F988/180/TD1014.pdf

 

[CustM]

Trash the R/S amp, they are bad for falure and high noise. Get something from Channel Master like the 7777

I agree, Channel Master makes good products and the 7777 is sweet!