Splitters, Attenuators, Filters, Diplexers, Other Signal Gear

[name777]

El Gran Chico, I actually used 5 channel table to get more specific picture on the trends of both Buffalo and CNT antennas. There were WGRZ, CFTO, CIII, CITY, WUTV, where CFTO is what I picked as the intersection channel, CITY - solely Toronto, WUTV/WGRZ highly directional Buffalo.

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by intravino

So now, I would have to join these 3 or maybe 4 antennas.

Is that possible?

Hi intravino, multi-antenna systems are complex but they've been done successfully.

I thought you would want to have the VHF/UHF combo antenna aimable at Channel 13 in the U.S. because ABC will be broadcasting on 13 after the analogue cutoff.

Running all the antennas into a reversed splitter or a distribution amp will be the easy part if you are not going to run any preamps and if you can make sure that the antennas are all in phase.

Aiming all those UHF antennas in harmony will be a real challenge because you will have to go up and down that tower quite a bit using trial-and-error aiming!

If you are going to install preamps on any or all of those antennas you would have a big problem with needing to put the various preamps' power supplies on the upstream (tower side) of the splitter or distro amp and providing AC power to them where ever you place them.

To me the biggest issue will be the actual aiming. Check out the South Shore thread in the Reception Results forum too for more info and ideas.

[intravino]

The VHF/UHF combo is on top of the tower and I don't want to go up the tower because it is 40 Feet ( Too high for me ). I would put the other antennas lower at my roof line ( 25 Feet ). That is why I don't mind aiming the UHF antennas.

Can you purchase a pre-amp with 3 or 4 inputs?

Maybe ABC 22 on 13 VHF would be ok with the combo VHF/UHF.

[stampeder]

You could run 2 or more UHF antennas into a reversed splitter and then run that downlead into a preamp, but it would take a bunch of testing to see whether one or more of those antennas are too strong and should not be preamped.

[electro353]

I was wondering where do you get your supplies? Single channel amp,notch filters,band pass filters etc?

Also I read your post about propagation delay and you said it changed the lenght of the waveform, if the waveform lenght changed then wouldnt that change the frequency? I thought the delay was just a slow down of a signal with respect to the speed of light? When the signal enters the new media it slows down, but every part of the signal slows down, so with respect to itself it is still the same lenght. I am having a hard time getting my mind around this.
But your expenation was good and helped me understand why i need to go back up my antennia and match the cable lenghts.

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by electro353

where do you get your supplies? Single channel amp,notch filters,band pass filters etc?

You need look no further in Canada than TinLee in Toronto - a terrific supplier of signal gear.

http://www.tinlee.com/

[tvmonkey]

I need a splitter for my SBGH antenna. Lowes sells a 2-way 900MHz splitter for $3.50 or a 2300MHz splitter "Optimized for HDTV" for $8.50. For my application, is the 2300MHz splitter necessary or worth the extra money?

[Tom.F.1]

no, ota won't go over 900

[HDTV101]

The only reason you'd want to buy a 2300MHz splitter is if you wanted to use it for satellite.

[tvmonkey]

Thanks Tom F.1. and HDTV101

[viglnt2000]

Can anyone recommend what to look for in this 3x4 multiswitch?
I read through this thread, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

I presently have a 4228 antenna going to 7777 preamp,
then into an eagle aspen mini max 3x4 multiswitch,
then off to different rooms with diplexers into samsung 260F receivers at the TV's.

I had a lot of trouble getting TO stations, but slowly am getting improvements.
One of the trouble areas was the multiswitch.
I can lock on global (41.1) with about 5 bars when not going through the multiswitch. Once I connect the mutiswitch, I lose global and other channels go down in strength.

Reading the specs on the eagle aspen it has an insertion loss of 12db, and is not powered.

Is that good for a multiswitch or is there better ones?

[stampeder]

You're also distributing satellite through the same system, right?

[viglnt2000]

Stampeder,
Yes, Just one satellite, So only a 3x4 is needed.

[fta.bluenoser]

I've been using a channel master 4221 and a channel master 7778 preamplifier going into my Sharp HDTV for a couple months now. I live in Toronto and I have had no problems getting the usual channels people here in Toronto receive (except for CBS).

I have another HDTV and decided to split the signal to the new TV. I used a Antronix 2 way splitter 5~1000MHz (CMC2002H) to split the signal. And I used RG6 cabling throughout.

So after I added in the splitter I couldn't get any channels in except for CTV on either TV. I thought the splitter I have would be fine, but obviously it is causing the problem. Do I have to buy a different one?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Here is a diagram to show how I set it up:

[El Gran Chico]

Have you tried putting the splitter AFTER the pre-amp power?