Splitters, Attenuators, Filters, Diplexers, Other Signal Gear

[ontherooftop77]

just a question if I want to hook up my antenna to 2 T.V's and am using a pre amp , would buying a splitter that has one input and 3 outputs be a good idea
so 2 outputs for the t.v's and one output to connect the power supply for the pre amp, does that sound fine? I will be using long cables so that is why i need the amp.

[baud]

no just a two way between the tv's and the output of the preamp.

[ontherooftop77]

so should I use the power up after the splitter or before the splitter or does it matter? maybe it will reduce overload.

[keef]

Best place for the power up (injector) is between the splitter and the pre-amp. That eliminates the possibility of the splitter blocking the DC to the pre-amp.

The effect of the injector on overload is probably minimal (almost no loss), but if overload is a problem you'd want the injector loss in a place where it'll benefit both TVs - which again, is upstream of the splitter.

[ontherooftop77]

ok so it,s best to do it before it hits the splitter , thanks but after a split 1 cable run will be 50 feet to a t.v after the splitter , should I also use a 50 foot rg6 cable for my other TV to even it out? also I know the channel master titan 7777 pre amps are recommended but are 80 dollars, but I saw at a warehouse electronics store that are selling other brands for 20-25 dollars and I see 23 db UHF gain and a noise figure of 3db , I would rather save money so would I make a good purchase just on the cheaper one, I am gonna use it on the channel master 4221HD.

[stampeder]

If the splitter says DC PASS on one of its outputs you can put the power injector below it on that line. Most splitters do not have DC PASS so make sure of it.

Don't worry about the length of coax needing to be the same - it doesn't. Cut it as short as you can. If the cheapie amp can be returned for a full refund then there's no harm in trying it.

[ontherooftop77]

it says power pass on the slitter it was a 8 dollar one , not a crappy dollar store one.

[stampeder]

Then you're okay to put the power injector where you like.

[mlord]

Originally Posted by ontherooftop77

ok so it,s best to do it before it hits the splitter , thanks but after a split 1 cable run will be 50 feet to a t.v after the splitter , should I also use a 50 foot rg6 cable for my other TV to even it out?

The 100' of coax is a non-issue for a pre-amp with that kind of power output. No worries there.

But.. what I would worry a LOT about, is frying a TV set due to improper location of the power injector. The power injector not only inserts power for the pre-amp, it also blocks that same power in the other direction.

Put it between the antenna and the splitter -- anywhere in that chain is just fine. But if you place it after the splitter, there's a chance of frying your VCR, TV, or other stuff.

Cheers

[RustyHD]

Here's what I did. Amplified antenna on roof with 50ft RG6 into the basement. Power injector located there. From that point RG6 to very low noise broadband distribution amp. This splits the signal 4 ways and boosts 8db on each port. After that various runs RG6 25 to 50 ft. to different points in the house. I use low loss splitters the 2.4 GHz ones 2 way or 3 way. No loss in signals or channels in any room.

[ontherooftop77]

Thanks mlord I will do your method between the pre amp and splitter so I dont fry anything and even out signal stregth.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by mlord

But.. what I would worry a LOT about, is frying a TV set due to improper location of the power injector. The power injector not only inserts power for the pre-amp, it also blocks that same power in the other direction.

Put it between the antenna and the splitter -- anywhere in that chain is just fine. But if you place it after the splitter, there's a chance of frying your VCR, TV, or other stuff.

I understand what you are saying, but feel the risk of this is very low. By their very nature, splitters block DC power. That is why you need one with DC pass through. This DC pass through is only on one port and the DC is blocked on all other ports. I guess some sort of catastrophic failure could cause the splitter to pass power to all ports, but the same thing could happen to the power injector.

[mlord]

I'm not quite so trusting in far-east manufacturers to get the splitter labelling accurate every time.

Cheers

[hungt1999]

I have read somewhere that some people had better performance using two baluns out of an antenna and running two separate lines than using a splitter.

that is equivalent to ganging two virtual identical antenna right?

is that true? anyone has experimented with this? I am tempted to try it out for myself

[Chadb]

My home has rg6 coaxial cable that goes to numerous rooms and converge in the basement (5 separate cables in total). From the basement it does not go to the main floor. The main floor cabling comes directly from the outside where there is a world/international satellite and normal satellites. The normal satellites also go the basement where the coaxial cables converge.

I have a UHF antenna that I would like installed but to bring the signal in from existing cables. Is it possible for the uhf signal to be diplexed onto the satellite cable (with minimal loss) and then the signal to be sent throughout the house using the 5 cables that converge in the basement (again with minimal loss).