Cable TV Amplifier

[Ray (archive)]

I'm running coaxial burried in conduit out to my workshop that is approximately 180 feet from where the cable enters the house. I've been told that I will need a signal amplifier.

Where does this amplifier hook up to ?? At the beginning of the run or can it be installed at the end ?? Does this amplifier need to be plugged into an outlet ?? If this needs to go at the beginning of the run and powered up, how can I do this if the splitter is mounted to the fascia on the outside of the house ??

Thanks,

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

Makes sure you get good-quality coax. cable (RG-6, not RG-59), then try it first without an amp. at all. You might be surprised.

Perce

 

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I'm running coaxial burried in conduit out to my workshop that is approximately 180 feet from where the cable enters the house. I've been told that I will need a signal amplifier.

Have you called the cable company? Seriously, they may do this for cheap. Regulations have changed over the years. I used to have all sorts of cable and boosters in my house as you'd have to pay full price for each set 20+ years ago. Then I found they no longer charged for additional sets and wired my up properly for something like $40. The phone call is cheap and you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Art Todesco]

There are amps for cable frequencies. I tried to
use an older "antenna" amp on cable
and noticed snow on the mid 30 channels. A friend
pointed out that older amps were
not able to amplify with one wide frequency
amplifier, so they broke it up in VHF and
UHF internally in the amp. The mid 30 channels
are right between on-air channels
13 and 14. I replaced it with a modern broadband
amp (for cable) and it solved the
problem. BUT, as someone pointed out, try RG6
without an amp first.

 

[ConcreteFinishing StuccoGuy]

U will need an inline amp. goto www.18inch.com and read up on matter. the reason for the booster is u r already decreasinfg strength by splitting, then running over 100' really saps the output.
this site is cool

 

[TURTLE]

I'm running coaxial burried in conduit out to my workshop that is approximately 180 feet from where the cable enters the house. I've been told that I will need a signal amplifier.

Where does this amplifier hook up to ?? At the beginning of the run or can it be installed at the end ?? Does this amplifier need to be plugged into an outlet ?? If this needs to go at the beginning of the run and powered up, how can I do this if the splitter is mounted to the fascia on the outside of the house ??

Thanks,

This is Turtle.

like others have said, run good cable and try it. if worst comes to worst buy you a 12db booster from walley world for about $16.00 and put it behind the TV. If you splice into the cable where it comes into your house . You may need nothing to make it look and play good.

TURTLE

 

[terry (archive)]

Suggestion: If OP DOES need to use an amplifier, versus high quality coax, as commented on by other posters thought would be to put it at the 'sending' end; i.e. immediately after the splitter. This makes the signals stronger 'before' they go into the extra 180 feet of coax where it could be possible to pick up noise. The OP also questioned how such a 'booster amp'. could be powered. There are amps available that are powered via the coax cable itself from 'downstream'. We have one. In other words the signal being fed to a location where there will be AC for a TV set etc, The power supply provided as part the amp. as bought plugs in there and feeds low voltage back along the coax to power the amp. Make sure the coax is grounded and/or as required by the booster amp installation instructions, which should be UL/CSA approved. Although that grounding can be another whole area of discussion!

 

[no1herenow]

And those $16 walley-world amps have a noise figure that is astronomical. I have had good luck with www.partsexpress.com for decent low-noise amps. 180 feet is not that long a run, Put the amp on the end closest to the source.
Use RG-6 or better.

 

[no1herenow]

And those $16 walley-world amps have a noise figure that is astronomical. I have had good luck with www.partsexpress.com for decent low-noise amps. 180 feet is not that long a run, Put the amp on the end closest to the source.
Use RG-6 or better.

 

[Calvin Henry-Cotnam]

Art Greenberg said...

Either, but you'll probably get better results if you put it at the beginning of the run.

It should always be at the beginning, unless it is absolutely not possible.

Good quality cable may result in not even needing an amplifier, but here it the reason why it may be needed and why it shouuld go at the beginning of the run:

The longer the cable run, the weaker the signal will be coming out the other end. If the strength of the signal coming out the other end is too weak, or even borderline, boosting it is likely to bring it up to a useable level to get a good picture.

That would suggest that boosting it at either end is fine, however one must consider noise. The cable, even though shielded, will pick up some noise along its length. Amplyfing the signal at the end of the run will amplify the noise along with the signal. Amplyifing at the beginning will boose the signal you want so that at the end it will be a useable level while leaving the noise unboosted.

 

[Kathy]

ps.com...

And those $16 walley-world amps have a noise figure that is astronomical.

When will you guys learn to STAY OUT OF
WALMART!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ray (archive)]

Thanks to all who replied ! I tested my 180' foot run of coaxial coming out of a 4 way splitter without an amplifier and I got all clear channels on my workshop TV.

Ray