zenno: In an earlier post you said you were using W-G 7698P.
I didn't see anything re a Dual Output Balun Cartridge in the W-G Specs or Manual.

Fol. alternatives are possible:
1) There is a switch inside so that they are either separate or combined into a single output.
[This makes sense so unamplified Hi-VHF signals can be combined AFTER Preamp'd UHF.]

2) One is UHF, other is Hi-VHF. [Which means you aren't connected for best performance.]

3) There is a full-band RF Splitter inside providing Hi-VHF/UHF outputs to two TV's (doubtful).

You should contact W-G tech support and find out what is REALLY happening:
http://www.winegard.com/kbase/index.php

Ok, i went up to the roof and opened the connection box, here are my pictures. Sure you will be able to tell what are my options by seeing this circuit.

Thank you very very much.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=838&pictureid=4405

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=838&pictureid=4404

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=838&pictureid=4403

There is only one 75 ohm connection to the antenna. It is a combined VHF/UHF output. The 2nd hole is just a dummy. All the 76xx series antennas use the same balun cartridge as far as I know.

The 7777 pre-amp should be more than enough to power 2 sets.

After blowing up the above photos, I THINK there might have been only one Coax output,
rather than TWO, as you implied earlier. Coax(s) photo is missing. What did YOU see????

You were right.

As i also found out while on the roof, the second output is a dummy, i'm kind of disappointed.

And yes, I also had a picture of the coax that i did not put there because we're allowed only 3 pictures per post.

Here it is :

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=838&pictureid=4402

So, i guess i will manage with only one combined uhf/vhf output. I will now begin my search for a good variable distribution amplifier, 50% of my channels are locals that don't need amplification.

Thank you everybody. I really appreciate your inputs.

I will now begin my search for a good variable distribution amplifier, 50% of my channels are locals that don't need amplification.
Aren't you already using the Channel Master 7777 preamp? If so, a distribution amp is not needed. It will likely make things worse.

If your locals are less than 10 miles away, a distribution amp by itself is a better choice from my experience. The Channel Master 34xx series is very resistant to overload & will deliver a more balanced signal to multiple outlets in a mixed strong/weak signal environment.

Hum, here is my situation, I am in the east suburb of Montreal.

So my locals are about 30 km away (19 miles)

U.S. channels are about 200 km away (125 miles)

UHF part of the antenna is of course oriented towards the U.S.

Since i'm not pointing directly towards my locals, i'm getting them at about 30% less power than i should.

Of course, i don't need the preamp (7777) for my locals but i do need it to get 40% of my U.S. channels.

The question is: with the reduced signal, are you getting reliable recption of the locals? If so, just relax and enjoy!

The question is: with the reduced signal, are you getting reliable recption of the locals? If so, just relax and enjoy!
Where ever i aim the antenna, with or without preamp, yes, i can get my locals without a problem.

But like everyone else, i also want the most U.S. channels possible. :-)

the point people are trying to get across is, if ur already using a cm7777 at the antenna, and ur not getting the us stations now. The addition of a distro amp (i.e. cm7777 + distro amp) isn't gonna help and worse yet, may in fact degrade what u are getting now. No amount of amplification can enhance a signal that simply just isn't there.

zenno: I searched for your TVFool Results but could not find any.
Suggest you provide a recent update....

If one is not using the TV distribution amp, for a day or longer, should it be unplugged? It wouldn't adversely affect it? (I was more concerned with safety and the remote chance that it could possibly start a fire if left on indefinitely.)
Thanks. :)

No problem with leaving distro amps running. They're designed to work for years upon years with constant power.

Good to know. I'll see how it all goes and then compare it to using the 4-way distribution amp on signal quality and intensity levels. It's a bit like waiting for Christmas, seeing how the analogue shutdown and the channel realigning will affect, if at all, the OTA digital channels out there.

Hi All:

Having pretty good success with my original-style CM4228 on a rotor on my chimney since I put it up last month, but a few distant stations only come in during the evenings and a few others are only around a 35-40 on my tv's signal meter during the day. Since my tv's tuner locks on anything above about a 35, I'm right on the edge for several desired stations, and am considering adding an amplifier.

Currently, I'm running an 8-foot RG-11 coax from the 4228 to a grounding block, then an additional 40 feet of RG-11 down to the tv, with an A/B switch between my tv and my DirecTV OTA receiver. I only have the one tv.

Here's my TVFool report - http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e74542feb9ea9

From what I've read, with most of my local stations between 9 and 11 miles away, I could only try a Winegard HDP-269, due to its strong signal tolerance. Wondering whether the group thinks that might work, or whether I have too many nearby signals even for that amplifier.

If it's of any help, there are also about a dozen strong FM signals about 9-11 miles away, also in that same 170-200-degree direction. Don't think I have any FM interference right now (no significant herringbones or other interference on our remaining analog Canadian VHF-9 right now), perhaps because my 4228 doesn't have much gain on the FM band. However, I could insert a terminated HLSJ or a separate FM trap before an amplifier (although I hear that the HDP-269 does have a 12 dB FM trap built-in) if it might help.

Thanks in advance for any comments/advice...

Tried the Archer 4-way distribution amp that I had sitting there for years. It gave higher readings on channels I already got pretty strong, but being a distribution amp didn't improve and help me get CIVI DT 17, or CHEK DT 49.
Might have to try a newer antenna, still I could be in a signal dead spot for CIVI DT.

*** Side point here, where taking off the F-connectors from the 2-way splitter, I could feel electrical 'current' draining into my hand. I don't know where it's coming from, but it was a bit concerning. I'd like to know its source, as I don't think that's normal. There is a coax grounding block outside.

Currently my preamp is 15ft below my antenna.

I am going to raise it right up beneath the antenna. I do suspect that doing this will help eliminate some amplified noise that might currently be generated within that unamplified 15ft jumper between the antenna and the preamp.

Does anyone know how to calculate how much I will gain by removeing that 15ft unamplified peice of cable?

Just wondering if it's worth the climb.

RG6 has about 5.1dB of loss per 100 feet at 600MHz. You do the math...
Probably not worth the climb. But every little bit helps, right?

@ota_canuck,
you are fortunate that you are further away from transmitters, as here in London I have to place my preamp further away (20-25feet). According to the cascading losses chart located at the beginning of this thread the total NF barely changes. IMO not worth the change but as you and I know the best way is to check for yourself (non tropo of course).

Here in London, FM and TV RF overload occur with a preamp at the antenna, even with decent losses (3 way splitter).

also don't believe the crap about amplifying the noise. there is barely any losses on RG6 @25 feet.

Archerotor: A grounding block does not discharge or dissipate energy from the centre conductor of coax; only the outside braid. Are you using a pre-amp on your setup that could be injecting DC into the coax?!

With regards to the distribution amp: As it's an older model, I would check it's specifications. Since most of these devices were designed for cable TV, older models would only amplify up to what was available on cable systems of the time. For example, in the 80's, most cable systems didn't have channels above 450MHz. Whereas OTA now operates up to or below 700MHz.