Signal Amplifiers (Amps, Preamps, Distro Amps) - See Chart in Post #1

[Paulo]

Thanks roger1818 for the tips. If I have time, this will get done tomorrow. I'll post back with my results.

Paul

[flavoie]

I agree with Roger on everything.

preamps are made for outdoors, so they are just fine in attics, winter or summer.

[Paulo]

Thanks roger1818 & flavoie, well I installed the 7777 as you guys mentioned and took out the CM 3412 distribution amp. I placed the 7777 one foot from the antenna. I connected a 1' cable from the antenna to the 7777, than from the 7777 I connected my existing 16' of cable to the power supply unit and the out from pwr supply unit to a regular splitter. From splitter to my TV1 (1' away) and TV2 (40' away). I made sure to check all signal levels before starting the install for comparison purposes.

The results were VERY POOR, I actually had all the same exact levels on all channels with the 7777 as I did with the CM 3412, in fact I had even lost 29.1 FOX and 7-1.

Ok, maybe it was the splitter.... I removed the splitter so I decided just to run the 1' cable to my TV1......SAME RESULTS.

Maybe I should use the CM 3412 in combination with the 7777.....NO good, the levels were the same and in fact I had lost 29.1 FOX and 7-1 again.

Ok maybe its over amplification....

Last effort, use the 7777 straight out to TV2 (40'away) no splitter no CM 3412 no TV1.
Still the same results.

Well, it looks like you were absolutely correct Flavoie, the difference in SNR between the 7777 and the CM 3412 is very small in my case. I had to try it it order to rule this out.
I guess I will just be taking my antenna to the roof come spring.

PS. I placed my set up back to the way it was originally with the CM 3412. I am getting all channels again on TV1 upstairs. TV2 all channels are solid except the 2-1 & 4-1...... as I mentioned before in/out most times since the start of the cold weather.

Thanks

Paul

[stampeder]

I applaud your determination to test and get it right. The roof is the way to go, though, so I hope you'll document how that goes when that happens.

[goforit]

Depending on your aim to BUF, you might be going through the CN tower- might be getting overload from the big TO analogs - CBLT (5), CFTO (9). Did you try using only the UHF port of the 7777?

Also, you could try a UVSJ splitter to knock down all channels 2 to 13- this would really quiet down 5 and 9. In my case, there is no way I could use an amp, unless I used the channel 11 trap that I got. I'm using a hdp-269 that pushes the signal through a channel 11 trap and an FM trap, and then onto a CM 3414; it works well. I'm going to try a 7778 and see if the lower noise will give me better strength on my signals.

[Paulo]

Hi goforit, I am aiming my antenna (DB8) straight at the Buffalo stations. According to TVfool's plot line from my loacation, the CN tower is south east of me. According to my calcucaltions I must have a good 10 to 15 degrees of separation between the CN tower and the Buffalo stations.
BTW I did try using only the UHF port of the 7777, with no luck.
Would you or anyone else know (aproximately on average) how much more signal I can expect once I put the antenna on the roof. Right now the only thing between my antenna and the outside is a 3/4" sheet of plywood and shingles, and this to me doesn't seem like much of a barrier for signal degradation.

Thoughts???

Paul

[stampeder]

In my experience an attic without aluminum or metal siding & roofing can typically cost you between 2 and 5dB of signal. Yours maybe be higher, may be lower.

[DdDave]

Originally Posted by Paulo

the only thing between my antenna and the outside is a 3/4" sheet of plywood and shingles, and this to me doesn't seem like much of a barrier for signal degradation.

There's also moisture in that wood, and whenever it rains you get a film of water over the entire surface. Plus snow will accumulate and stick around for a while and kill the signal.

I was inside the attic also while I was testing OTA, and moving outside made a huge difference. I don't know what the dB would be, but there were stations that I could not get inside that I now receive 100% year-round.

[Paulo]

Thanks DdDave, I am regretting not putting the antenna on the roof when I first got it, just this summer. I didn't really worry about it back then because all channels were solid on both tv's. Oh well, I'll just put it on the roof come spring.

Paul

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by stampeder

In my experience an attic without aluminum or metal siding & roofing can typically cost you between 2 and 5dB of signal. Yours maybe be higher, may be lower.

The other factor is elevation. Putting the antenna on the roof could easily gain you 5 to 10 feet (or even more). This increase in elevation could help you clear surrounding buildings or trees and gain Line of Sight, or it could make little difference at all. YMMV.

[rfdude]

Just received the KT-200 preamp from KITZ. I came thru the mail in in a week without taxes . My question is around the KT-200 and making it weather tight suitable for mast mounting. The metal case looks realitively simple to weatherproof by using silicone gasketmaker. Any BTDT advice?

I presently have a Radio Shack preamp that is typical 3 dB NF. It feeds a 4-way splitter in the house to reduce the gain from overloading the sets. But the RS preamp seems to go deaf in the winter as temperatures settle below freezing. From my Nobleton location, I loose Buffalo CBS 4.1, WUTV 29.1, 49.1 and a couple weak Toronto stations for much of the winter.

Thanks!

rfdude

[roger1818]

rfdude, would the KT-200 fit inside the housing for your old RS pre-amp? Just make sure you seal everything up nice and water tight. That would have the added benefit of giving you mounting brackets.

[stampeder]

Also rfdude see this thread for everything you'll ever need to know about sealing it:

OTA Waterproofing, Sealants, Adhesives, Paint

[flavoie]

Check peano's profile pictures. He bought a standard box, I think it's a 4x4x2. I copied his design and found the same box at Home Depot and Rona. This box and a U-bolt set and some sealant would be all that is required.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by flavoie

Check peano's profile pictures. He bought a standard box, I think it's a 4x4x2.

The only thing I don't like about peano's design is he drilled holes for the U-bolt. If I were doing it, I would attach a piece of angle iron to the mounting tabs and have the U-bolt go through that. Holes in the bottom aren't so bad as they are shielded and add drainage, but holes in the side or top are more likely to be a source of leaks.