OTA Antenna / Amplifier Question

[darrencp22]

I have this antenna. RadioShack.com - Home Entertainment: Accessories: Antennas: Outdoor: HDTV Outdoor/Indoor Antenna

It comes with an Amplifier with gain of 17-23dB.

I have one station that I get about 60% signal. If I were to buy a stronger amplifier, would it help?

What should I look for?

Thanks

 

[lastscreenname]

You Probably would just add more noise to the signal degrading it. Do you have it mounted outside? Is it pointed correctly for that channel? How far away are you from the antenna? Is it a low power station? What station is it? What is your zip code?.

 

[darrencp22]

You Probably would just add more noise to the signal degrading it. Do you have it mounted outside? Is it pointed correctly for that channel? How far away are you from the antenna? Is it a low power station? What station is it? What is your zip code?.

Yes, it is on my roof. I have it pointed the best I can.
This is the 5th antenna I tried, and i'm very happy with it. None have come close to this.

A slight tweak in either direct will drop other stations, so I wont further play with adjusting it.

I am trying to get WGRZ 2.1. I am in 14094. They are about 40miles away.

 

[lastscreenname]

It looks like WGRZ is a problem for some folks in the area. Your best bet is a larger a antenna. Have you tried a channel master 4228? on your roof with a rotator. Yes that tower is in a different direction from the rest

 

[concord]

As far as an amplifier, look for one with a low signal to noise ratio (SNR) and decent gain.

You live in fairly flat area and shouldn't have a problem with a good antenna. It appears that WGRZ is in a different direction (about 60 degrees out) than the rest of the buffalo ones, but with a good antenna, you may find a in-between direction for all of them. Look into the channel master (CM) 4221 or CM 4228. If you want to get other stations, ie canadian, rochester, etc. you may need a rotator.

Check out antennaweb.org.

 

[darrencp22]

Thanks, but I wont put that thing on my roof. It's an eyesore. Your advice is appreciated though. I dont care enough to swap it. If the problem could be resolved with an amplifier, that's fine. I do get the CBC out of Toronto pretty decently at around 70%, very rarely breaks up.

 

[darrencp22]

As far as an amplifier, look for one with a low signal to noise ratio (SNR) and decent gain.

You live in fairly flat area and shouldn't have a problem with a good antenna. It appears that WGRZ is in a different direction (about 60 degrees out) than the rest of the buffalo ones, but with a good antenna, you may find a in-between direction for all of them. Look into the channel master (CM) 4221 or CM 4228. If you want to get other stations, ie canadian, rochester, etc. you may need a rotator.

Check out antennaweb.org.

Can you give me examples on what is a good signal to noise ratio?

 

[Voyager6]

Here is an excellent amp to use. Channel Master CM 3044 22dB Four Output Indoor Distribution Amplifier (CM3044) | CM3044 [Channel Master] | CM 3044 CM-3044

 

[spiegelj07]

I have this antenna. RadioShack.com - Home Entertainment: Accessories: Antennas: Outdoor: HDTV Outdoor/Indoor Antenna

It comes with an Amplifier with gain of 17-23dB.

I have one station that I get about 60% signal. If I were to buy a stronger amplifier, would it help?

What should I look for?

Thanks

this hapens to be the same one im buying from radio shack

 

[darrencp22]

Here is an excellent amp to use. Channel Master CM 3044 22dB Four Output Indoor Distribution Amplifier (CM3044) | CM3044 [Channel Master] | CM 3044 CM-3044

Does this help a lot? These channel master people seem to be the way to go.

 

[darrencp22]

this hapens to be the same one im buying from radio shack

I tried a bunch and I think for smaller antennas, it works great. I've had to point it out to people that I have it. I t blends nciely with the house.

 

[spiegelj07]

how much cable do you have

how much cable do you have between you attena and you receiver
and how many splitters

 

[darrencp22]

how much cable do you have between you attena and you receiver
and how many splitters

I'd say about 15-20 ft. I do not split the signal. It pretty much goes out and directly up.

 

[Buzzdar]

i have this antenna too it works great

 

[darrencp22]

i have this antenna too it works great

You will tinker to find the sweet spot. But once you do,, it works well. My problem is with the one station that is 40+ miles way at a diff direction, half power. I do get stations 40+ in at about 70-80%

 

[bhelms]

Spend some time in the OTA forum. You'll get a lot of insight from there. In most cases the stuff from RS is overpriced and underperforming. I have no experience with the antenna you have, but others like the Winegard "Squareshooter" SS-1000 or 2000 (similar shape and application) would likely be a better choice:

Winegard --- SquareShooter®HDTV Antenna

In general, the RS amplifiers are quite "noisy" which is never good and often works to the detriment of all signals passing through it. A better choice would be as mentioned above, or perhaps the CM7777. You should look for a noise figure of 2.0dB or less. Higher gain often means higher noise, so choose wisely!

Channel Master - Off-Air Antennas for HDTV, UHF & VHF

You probably have more than enough gain for your application. Since your unit is already amplified, perhaps there is no alternative with that unit. I notice that it also comes with RG-59/u cable. You should be using RG-6/u for best performance. You might be at the limit for your particular unit. If it works fine for all your other stations, leave it alone. Consider a separate antenna/amp for the one that you can't receive now and combine the signals.

Just some ramblings based on a lot of prior experience in a marginal area...

 

[spiegelj07]

you could tryan inline amp

 

[Buzzdar]

are you connecting the antenna to the tv or to a dish box?

 

[LosingPatience]

Here's a great resource...

Antenna Basics

Scroll down to "Signal Amplifiers, Preamplifiers, part 2"

 

[Buzzdar]

i know if i connect my hdtv antenna directly to my TV i get almost a 100 signal on almost all channels and if i connect it to my 622 i get between 70 and 90 for the signal. this is just want i have seen.