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10-Oct-2013, 4:34 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
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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.
Here is my tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae9a8e58019d
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10-Oct-2013, 9:43 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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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.)
(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
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10-Oct-2013, 10:01 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
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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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10-Oct-2013, 11:08 PM
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#5
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Antennas Direct Tech Supp
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
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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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10-Oct-2013, 11:58 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
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I have the FM trap on already. What other external FM filters would be applicable?
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11-Oct-2013, 12:10 AM
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#7
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Antennas Direct Tech Supp
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
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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.
Last edited by ADTech; 11-Oct-2013 at 12:14 AM.
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11-Oct-2013, 12:46 AM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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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.
__________________
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.)
(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
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11-Oct-2013, 4:28 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
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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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11-Oct-2013, 5:14 AM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robz
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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Is that with only one tuner and no more than 50' of coax?
__________________
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.)
(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
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11-Oct-2013, 8:33 PM
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#11
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Guest
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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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