Trying to improve after 2 years

[manfjourde]

I got some excellent advice 2 years ago and have been pleased since. We just got a new TV and it is about 50 feet further away in the house though and picks up very few channels.

I currently have an Antennas Direct 42XG, about 15 feet off the ground. I have about 10 feet, the signal splits and goes 3 different ways. The two TVs are fine at the moment, both about 50 feet from the split, signal could be better on some channels but most come through. The other TV is about 50 feet further.

Would I be better off getting a new antenna, or trying a preamp on the current one? I'm also going to try to raise it another 3-5 feet.

My analysis
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...513422363d8bec

[rickbb]

Since your existing 2 TV's are getting good signal and the only the new one is having trouble I'd suggest you just add a medium power distribution amp.

If you add a preamp it may overload the 2 working TV's.

[ADTech]

I'd add a preamp at the antenna. From our lineup, the Juice would be appropriate.

[manfjourde]

I'm hoping to keep the whole upgrade to about $40 at the moment - any thoughts on getting something that will work for about that?

[rabbit73]

Channel Master 3412 distribution amplifier, with a 2-way splitter on one output for the two closer TVs. The other output goes to the longer run.

[manfjourde]

Originally Posted by rabbit73

Channel Master 3412 distribution amplifier, with a 2-way splitter on one output for the two closer TVs. The other output goes to the longer run.

Cool thanks, do I need a certain splitter for that amp? And is this better mounted as close to the antenna as possible?

[rabbit73]

                          coax 100ft > TV
                         /
42XG > coax 10ft > 3412 >                  coax 50ft > TV
                         \                /
                          2-way splitter >
                                          \
                                           coax 50ft > TV

[rabbit73]

You can use any ordinary 2-way spitter after one of the outputs of the 3412 for the closer TVs.

It is also possible to use a CM3414 without a splitter, but then the 100 ft run wouldn't get the extra signal that it needs.

And is this better mounted as close to the antenna as possible?

10 feet away is close enough if it is inside out of the weather. The 3412 is designed to be inside and near AC power for its power supply. If there is no AC at that point, the 3412 can be powered remotely using a power inserter near a TV.

The best solution would be the one that ADTech gave you, but that wouldn't meet your cost requirement.

[manfjourde]

Originally Posted by rabbit73

You can use any ordinary 2-way spitter after one of the outputs of the 3412 for the closer TVs.

It is also possible to use a CM3414 without a splitter, but then the 100 ft run wouldn't get the extra signal that it needs.
10 feet away is close enough if it is inside out of the weather. The 3412 is designed to be inside and near AC power for its power supply. If there is no AC at that point, the 3412 can be powered remotely using a power inserter near a TV.

The best solution would be the one that ADTech gave you, but that wouldn't meet your cost requirement.

Excellent advice and diagram, thank you. I may try the CM from a local store and if it doesn't work out I will save a bit and go the Juice route, thank you much.

If I did the Juice route, would the setup be the same?

[rabbit73]

If I did the Juice route, would the setup be the same?

No, not exactly.

                                                          100 ft
                                                         /
Ant > preamp > coax > grounding > coax > power  > splitter        50 ft
                       block            inserter         \       /
                                                          splitter   
                                                                 \
                                                                  50 ft

If the antenna is outside, the coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.

[manfjourde]

Originally Posted by rabbit73

No, not exactly.

                                                          100 ft
                                                         /
Ant > preamp > coax > grounding > coax > power  > splitter        50 ft
                       block            inserter         \       /
                                                          splitter   
                                                                 \
                                                                  50 ft

If the antenna is outside, the coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.

Thanks for the reminder, when I set it up initially I grounded the antenna as well as the coax.

Will a CM 3410 suffice? Upon investigating the setup, the cable splits and goes toward the 50ft TVs and the 100ft. I think I could get away with one output, or I could eliminate the current split and use the amp as the splitter and amp. Would it be better to do that instead of splitting after the amp?

Currently

Antenna > coax > splitter (goes 100, 50 and splits at the 50 another 5ft to separate TVs

[rabbit73]

I see no advantage to using the 3410 instead of the 3412 as in the diagram in post #7. Using the 3410 would require adding another 2-way splitter and you would end up with the same signal strengths at the TVs. The 3412 already has an internal splitter to give 2 outputs; it is equivalent to a 3410 and a splitter.

Will a CM 3410 suffice? Upon investigating the setup, the cable splits and goes toward the 50ft TVs and the 100ft. I think I could get away with one output, or I could eliminate the current split and use the amp as the splitter and amp. Would it be better to do that instead of splitting after the amp?

That doesn't seem to agree with your original description:

I currently have an Antennas Direct 42XG, about 15 feet off the ground. I have about 10 feet, the signal splits and goes 3 different ways. The two TVs are fine at the moment, both about 50 feet from the split, signal could be better on some channels but most come through. The other TV is about 50 feet further.

I don't understand what you want to do; can you show me a diagram?

[rabbit73]

If this is what you want to do, I think it would work:

                                                 coax 100ft > TV
                                                /
42XG > coax 10ft > grounding > 3410 > splitter >            coax 50ft > TV
                     block                      \          /
                                                 splitter >
                                                           \
                                                            coax 50ft > TV

The 3412 contains a splitter inside the case, so a 3412 plus one splitter gives the same result as a 3410 and two splitters.

[manfjourde]

Originally Posted by rabbit73

If this is what you want to do, I think it would work:

                                                 coax 100ft > TV
                                                /
42XG > coax 10ft > grounding > 3410 > splitter >            coax 50ft > TV
                     block                      \          /
                                                 splitter >
                                                           \
                                                            coax 50ft > TV

The 3412 contains a splitter inside the case, so a 3412 plus one splitter gives the same result as a 3410 and two splitters.

That is exactly what I want to do, the end of the 50 foot runs has a splitter to split the signal between the two floors. I couldn't make a diagram like you - it didn't format correctly but what you did is exactly what I am thinking.