Quote:
Originally Posted by GroundUrMast
Yes, the HDHR will try to obtain an IP address via DHCP (from your router usually), if that fails it will default to a 'net-local' IP address. If the wired NIC on your laptop is configured to do the same, the two devises will be able to communicate. This method takes some additional time to start working initially because the DHCP process has to timeout fist. You don't need a WiFi signal for this to work.
Just remember, the only thing between the antenna and HDHR should be a short (10' or less) coax cable. You want to have as little loss from the antenna to the HDHR. The same will be true for the preamp when you get to the point of reinstalling or replacing it.
I'm certain the PA-18 will outperform any RS amplifier. But, think of a well as an analogy to the antenna... would you expect to get clean water from the tap if you installed a high quality, high pressure pump in a hole that had just a bit of muddy goop at the bottom? Obviously, the hole is not an effective well unless it is deep enough to reach a steady supply of clean water. If RS will still accept the amplifier for refund, I would take them up on that... the $70 may be a valuable peace offering to your wife. the PA-18 is available through Amazon for about half the price of the RS product. http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc...8+preamplifier |
That's an interesting way think about it and makes sense.
So I ran an extension cord to the roof for the HDHR, and once again climbed up on the roof armed with my trusty laptop in 20 degree weather. I tested first with a direct run from the UHF/VHF combiner for which of course has short coax runs to both the CS5 and the DB8 antennas eliminating the pre-amp.
The results were puzzling. I ran the scan with the HDHR's config application and it returned only 9 channels where it had been getting anywhere from 14 to 16 channels when using the pre-amp and running through 100ft of coax. The results where the same when I ran straight from the DB8 to the HDHR (I thought this would eliminate any issues with the UHF/VHF combiner). Same results. It didn't make sense at all.
All that said, I did find a problem area. The Radio Shack pre-amp included a short coax cable for the mast mounted portion which I used. I found that it was RG59 and not RG6!! I replaced it with RG6 and wow did that make a difference. At this point I had installed the HDHR in the house and didn't get a chance before dark to bring it back onto the roof to test with the new cable installed. Installed in the house the scan returned 18 channels including all the major network (I've never seen results this good). CBS was not stable but everything else was. CBS is my only VHF channel and probably the most important because they do not have a deal with HULU.
I'm thinking now maybe I can tweak the position of the CS5 to improve upon CBS and get the PA-18 pre-amp for noise reduction?
How does that sound?
Should I be worried about the 2 1/2 star review on the PA-18?