TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Special Topics > Reception Devices

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 13-Nov-2014, 5:25 PM   #1
mmbridges
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Mast Pre-Amplifier Powering Options

Hi folks,

I am looking to buy a mast mounted pre-amp. I have the option of using a power injector which I believe sends DC voltage up to the mast mounted pre-amp through the same coax cable that the TV signal uses. The other option is to run a separate outdoor rated low voltage power cable up to the pre-amp.

What are the pros and cons of each option?

I am particularly interested in whether running power through the coax will have any degrading effects on my signal.

Thanks!
mmbridges is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 6:26 PM   #2
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
All preamps use the power inserter unless you've got some oddball amp you're looking at.
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 6:59 PM   #3
mmbridges
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADTech View Post
All preamps use the power inserter unless you've got some oddball amp you're looking at.
Hi ADTech,

Thanks for the quick reply. The Kitztech KT-200 comes in two versions. See http://www.kitztech.com/

One has a separate DC input plug for the AC/DC adapter which would sit in the house and therefore not use the coax power inserter. The other is mast mounted and uses the power inserter. Other than that difference the preamp itself seems to be the same. I saw where one person mounted the version with the separate DC plug up at the mast and just ran a properly rated low voltage DC power cable up to the unit.

I was trying to figure out if there was an advantage to using the unit with a separate DC plug mounted at the mast. I was concerned about ground loops or other interference that might be introduced by sharing the coax with TV signal and DC power when using the coax power inserter version.

I have a ground block at the base of my antenna pole which goes straight into a ground rod. If I use the power inserter I assume my ground stake is tied to the coax braiding and consequently to the negative DC reference of the AC/DC adapter (wall wart). Wasn't sure if this would cause a round loop and suboptimal performance.

Hope that provides some additional clarification.

Mike
mmbridges is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 8:35 PM   #4
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
The KT-200 is one of the "oddballs" I referred to. He sells in in both versions, the one without the power inserter so he can sell it for a bit less.

The ground block is not a concern.
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 9:54 PM   #5
mmbridges
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Yeah, just got word back from Kitztech and they indicated that the negative DC line was isolated from the house wiring and like you said, indicated no problems with ground block or signal degradation.

Thanks!
mmbridges is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 11:03 PM   #6
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
Don't forget, you also have to provide your own weatherproof housing with his amps. All that adds up to the customer's total cost but allows the seller to keep his selling price a bit lower.
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-Nov-2014, 11:10 PM   #7
mmbridges
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Yep, I already got some enclosure ideas from searching the web. The OTA setup I am working on is in a fringe area and I need every bit of NM that I can get so the .4dB noise factor for the KT-200 seems my best option.
mmbridges is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Special Topics > Reception Devices


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 11:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC