Quote:
Originally Posted by GroundUrMast
I'd suggest you start at the antenna. Each antenna should be capable of driving a single tuner with no accessories. To test, connect the antenna via a known good coax, not longer than 50', though shorter is better if it's practical. Connect only one tuner, preferably one with a good signal quality/strength meter function.
Does each antenna produce a reliable signal for each desired channel? If not, you need to consider changing the antenna, it's location or it's aim... or some combination of these.
Once you have established reliable 'barefoot' (non-amplified) reception, then consider the need for amplification. In this case, I doubt the need for a preamplifier on the main antenna, but the 91XG may benefit from an RCA TVPRAMP1R at the antenna.
It's also possible that a 3 dB or 6 dB attenuator on the inputs of the AC7 combiner may help by isolating less than perfect cable impedance or antenna SWR. The resistive termination of an attenuator may help the tuned filters in the AC7 behave as designed. The CM-3414 is going to overcome enough loss that a few dB of attenuation should be quite tolerable.
Don't rule out the possibility of FM interference either. An FM trap is not expensive. The Radio Shack #15-024 is about $5.
At the risk of being 'nosey', how much does tinlee get for the AC7 these days?
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GroundUrMast,
Thank you so much for replying. I may have further questions, but for the moment I just have a couple. First off, I was hoping you could further explain how to test the antenna on a single tuner. Are you saying that I should disconnect both antennas (one at a time) from the AC7 combiner and run a coaxial cable from that antenna to a TV that has only a single tuner bypassing the CM3414 amp that is currently installed?
When you talk about the attenuator, you are suggesting picking up a couple correct? If so, can you recommend a specific one and whether 3db or 6db would be better?
Can you also share how/where to install the FM trap and if needed what would be a good replacement antenna for the C2V antenna (I think Channel Master said the DVR+ plays better with directional antennas). Also want to double check that I should still consider the Radio Shack FM trap (I noticed the RCA amp mentions something about an FM trap too).
As far as the AC7 combiner, its $125 plus shipping costs. For me, it ran about $150.