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Old 10-Oct-2013, 3:34 PM   #1
robz
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Pre-amp recommendation

I am looking for a recommendation on a pre-amp. I currently have the following setup:

Self constructed GH-6 antenna with NARODS
RCA TVPRAMP1R pre-amp VHF 16db UHF 22db
150ft of RG6 coax run
Currently split to service 2 TVs but would like to add 1 or 2 more in the future.

I am getting good signal on most channels except during bad weather. The one channel that I have the most trouble with is CBS real channel 7. Interestingly, I can usually get real channel 9 ABC even when channel 7 is spotty and I believe they are broadcast from the same tower location. My concern is that I also live much closer to real channels 16 and 28 which are very strong so I don't want to overload on those and create other issues.

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Old 10-Oct-2013, 8:43 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
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Have you run a basic test of the antenna by itself? http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.p...8331#post38331
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Old 10-Oct-2013, 9:01 PM   #3
robz
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I did when I first set this up over a year ago and before I installed the RCA pre-amp. I know that the quality improved when I added the RCA, but I will have to go through and log them all with and without again to report the impact. I will re-post when I have that done.
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Old 10-Oct-2013, 9:45 PM   #4
teleview
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Remove the current antenna/s and preamplifier and power injector and power supply.

Above the Peak of the Roof Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna and a Winegard LNA-100 'Boost' amplifier.

Aim the HD7698P antenna at about 190 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.kyes.com/solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

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Old 10-Oct-2013, 10:08 PM   #5
ADTech
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The Winegard LNA100 is an indoor-only back-of-the-set amp. It's useless as a pre-amp.

You have several high-power FM stations very close by with extreme probability of interference into VHF channel 7. Install an external FM filter (or two) in addition to setting the internal FM trap on the RCA to ON.
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Old 10-Oct-2013, 10:58 PM   #6
robz
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I have the FM trap on already. What other external FM filters would be applicable?
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Old 10-Oct-2013, 11:10 PM   #7
ADTech
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Radio Shack 15-0024, about $5. It must be installed between the antenna and the pre-amp.

Cheap enough to give it a try before resorting to a large long-range, high-VHF antenna. The GH6 w/NARODS may not be effective enough on high-VHF for your circumstances.
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Last edited by ADTech; 10-Oct-2013 at 11:14 PM.
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Old 10-Oct-2013, 11:46 PM   #8
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The TVPRAMP1R is very competitive with the other preamplifiers intended for strong signal areas and it has very acceptable noise performance compared to any other consumer grade preamplifier.

Follow ADTech's suggestion re. keeping FM out. Then, if you run the basic antenna performance test and find the antenna is not providing a reliable signal on CH-7, you need to consider height/location options, adjustment/modification of the DIY antenna, addition of a H-VHF antenna or a new antenna.

Given your interest in DIY, a Yagi is easy to build: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=1106 You could design/build for channel 7 and expect coverage of 9 as well. If you're familiar with 4NEC2, you may want to cross check the VK5DJ design before cutting material.
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Old 11-Oct-2013, 3:28 AM   #9
robz
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Without the preamp installed I can only get real channels 16 & 28 and both are around 90%.

With the preamp installed I get real channels 7, 9, 16, 28, 36 and 31. Channels 7 & 9 are less than 50% strength while all of the others are 70% or greater.
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Old 11-Oct-2013, 4:14 AM   #10
GroundUrMast
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robz View Post
Without the preamp installed I can only get real channels 16 & 28 and both are around 90%.

With the preamp installed I get real channels 7, 9, 16, 28, 36 and 31. Channels 7 & 9 are less than 50% strength while all of the others are 70% or greater.
Is that with only one tuner and no more than 50' of coax?
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Old 11-Oct-2013, 7:33 PM   #11
teleview
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Pratical and Useful Information.

All outside coax and connectors and couplers , matching transformers (baluns) and etc. are suspect of being bad.

Recommed replace outside coax with New RG-6 coax the has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the old crimp type connectors on the ends of the coax.

Also All coax , connectors , couplers , splitters , and Etc . through out the antenna system are suspect of being bad.

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