Quote:
Originally Posted by GroundUrMast
You have a well organized task list / plan. 
I would make notes regarding the performance of the antenna without a preamp... Then add a preamp, (without any other changes) and compare the results. If a strong reliable signal becomes unreliable after adding a preamp, you can safely conclude that either the preamp is overloaded or the tuner is overloaded. Adding attenuation between preamp and tuner will help you understand if the tuner was overloaded or not. Attenuation between the preamp and tuner would be expected to resolve tuner overload, not preamp overload. Attenuation between the antenna and preamp can resolve preamp overload, but leaves you wondering if the the problem was preamp or tuner overload... Attenuation ahead of the preamp affects both the preamp and tuner. |
I sincerely hope the C2V doesn't need a preamp because unless I am mistaken or misunderstanding, I only had DC pass built into the AC7 for the 91XG (Fox antenna). From an email from the folks at Tinlee: "Your AC7-ch.49 will have DC power pass if you need to have a preamp installed for your ch.49 antenna". That's why I have been interpreting it that way. If I am right, a preamp for the C2V or any other second antenna would require a new AC7 combiner.
Regarding the initial tests with the preamp, you are saying I should disregard signal meter indications and just look for picture problems. Is that correct? And, if a problem does come up to try to use the attenuators to check to see whether it is preamp overload or tuner overload? Can I just check to see if it is tuner overload by inserting it on the back of the coaxial input on the test tuner and connect the coaxial downlead into that input? Am I correct to assume, that if it is tuner overload that I can continue to utilize the attenuators on the inputs and output of the AC7 combiner as planned? If preamp overload is present by process of elimination from testing the tuner, rather than removing the preamp the attenuators should somehow be attached at the antenna. Is that correct? If correct, how/where are the attenuators placed? Or if it is the preamplifier causing the overload, is it taken out of the system?