Improving TV reception.

Close Window
>
>
Q. We live in 27284, Kernersville NC and my wife's parents currenly has an antenna that is able to receive fairly disent analog signals, but poor digital signals.What can we do to improve the signals? They currently have a rotor which certainly can improve the signals some, but the digitals signals are so poor that it is hard to watch and use the ditial tuner.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations
>
>

Obviously I can't see the TV antenna to determine if a different antenna would help. Usually the simplest way to improve reception is with a preamplifier, if you don't already have one. I took a look at the reception data using the zip code you provided and found that the digital reception should not be that difficult.

If there is a preamplifier in use try unplugging the indoor power supply from electricity. The power supply will be located indoors somewhere along the coax cable down lead. If the reception remains pretty much the same with it unplugged then the preamplifier isn't working. Preamplifiers have two parts, the amplifier unit at the antenna and the power injector unit located indoors plugged into an electrical outlet. If there isn't a preamplifier that's where I'd start to improve reception. The preamplifier I would recommend is the Winegard AP 8700 to supply 1 or 2 TV locations or the AP 8780 to supply 3 or more locations.

If I can assist you further, or if you need information pertaining to the installation of the preamplifier, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Denny

TV Antenna Source

>
>

Q. Hi Denny. I have been researching TV antenna info to solve a weak signal issue I am having and came across your site. It is full of great information. Here is my situation. My zip is 61413. I am currently using an existing old antenna which was in the attic of my house when I bought it. I hooked up a RG-6 cable to the old 300ohm leads and ran it 25 ft to a splitter and then another 25 ft to 2 TVs. I have 4 station towers within 10 miles so I get 95-100 signals on them all the time. My CBS affiliate is 25 miles away and the signal cuts out all the time. Would an amplifier help or should I upgrade to a new antenna? I like the convenience of the antenna in the attic, but I will go outside with it if necessary. Also, the CBS channel is now broadcast on channel 58 but their permanent assignment will be channel 4. What do you suggest? Thanks. Steve
>
>
A. I would definitely start with an amplifier, for the best results you would probably need one with any TV antenna you were using. Between the cable lengths and the splitter you are loosing quite a bit of signal getting it from the antenna to the TV's, especially on a higher numbered channel such as 58-digital CBS. The best place to amplify the signal is before the loss occurs. I suggest that you install the DA 25 amplifier as close to the antenna in the attic as you can. This location will amplify the signal before the signal loss can occur. The DA 25 has an adjustable gain control and it comes set at maximum and may or may not require that you turn it down a little for best results.

This is the place to start, I'm certain it will improve your reception and you may not have to change the TV antenna.

If I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to contact me.
>

Best Regards,
Denny Duplessis
TV Antenna Source 1-800-528-9984

Q. First of all thank you for your assistance!
>
Where we are located we do not get cable and we don't really want to get satellite. We have an outdoor antenna that we just stuck on the roof and plugged into our TV. It has worked okay, but I want to do better if we can. If we need to buy a better antenna that is fine.
>
Our address is _________ Lane, Boulder, WY 82923. Please give me suggestions on the best system we need. The coax cable with have to run at the least 60 feet with only the one connection to our TV. If we could I would like to run it to our in house cable which would be about 100 feet and include two-three connections. Do we need an amplifier and a rotor? Do we need a digital tuner for our TV? Let me know what your suggestions are.
>
Sincerely -
Katie _______
>
>
A. I don't believe you will need to change your TV antenna. The stations that are available at your location aren't that difficult to receive. There isn't a lot of them but what's there can be received with any decent antenna. Along with your antenna I suggest the AP 8780 antenna preamplifier. This preamplifier provides enough signal gain to supply the additional cable length you mentioned and overcome the signal loss created by the signal splitters. The TV transmitters are in different direction and a antenna rotor will be needed for best results. My favorite is the Channel master 9521.

The preamplifier installs just below the TV antenna on the mast pipe. You will need a short piece of coax cable to go from the antenna output to the preamplifier input, we offer a 2.5 foot piece for that purpose. Next, run coax from the preamplifier output to the the indoor power supply. The power supply is included with the preamplifier and requires an electrical outlet. From the power supply run coax to the house connection you mentioned to feed the entire system. The coax cable from the preamplifier at the antenna must run directly to the indoor power supply without any signal splitters in between, the signal splitters must be located on the TV side of the indoor power supply. We offer various lengths of coax cable with the cable end connector attached ready to install on our coax cable page.

The rotor will need to be installed below the TV antenna and an additional short piece of mast pipe will be required. A rotor wire will to needed to be run from the outside motor unit to the location where you want the indoor control unit.

If I can assist you further Katie, or if you have questions pertaining to the installation of the product, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Denny Duplessis
TV Antenna Source 1-800-528-9984

>
>

Close Window

Improving TV Reception