Back to the stone ages TV antenna's

Davidv

I realize that most people here are using cable or sat. I was wondering if anyone here has any knowledge about tv antennas.

Here is my problem. I have a rooftop antenna a Terk 50 or something along those lines, and hooked it up to where my cable comes in to the house. Some of the channels are snowy so of course I should get a signal booster/amplifier correct?

The problem with the signal booster/amplifier at Ratshack is that (from what I understand) you need to run the cable from the antenna to the amplifier then to the splitters out to all of the tv's and plug the amplifier in to 110v outlet.

Ratshack also has a signal splitter booster that you plug the in off of the antenna into and then split the signal and send to the tv's, but once again requires a power source.

My current cable setup has the signal split on the outside of the house, and there is no outlet outside close, not only that but I am assuming the amplifier and or splitter is meant for indoor use only.

What are my options?

If I buy two amplifiers and hook them up before the 2 tv's will there be a conflict and cause some kind of interference or should it work?

Any help would be appreciated, before I run out and buy 2 aplifiers for $110.00.

Or do I say screw it and buy a new antenna, and see if that helps?

If you are wondering why go with an antenna and not cable or sat. All I can say is that with gas prices, a 2 year old and a new baby on the way. We are looking for as many cost savings as possible.


Thanks,
David

Polkersince85

Is the antenna directional or omnidirectional. Make sure it is away from trees or other obstructions. An unamplified antenna is tricky. Make sure that all connections are deoxed and clean. All unused outlets not connected to TV's should be capped with a dummy load cap. If you go the amplified route, the two piece systems are best. The outdoor unit mounts at the antenna and then hooks to the indoor unit thru the coax. The power is supplied by the coax itself so a power outlet inside the house is used. Whatever you do make sure that a proper ground wire from the antenna to ground is installed. Lightning loves metal poles sticking out of the ground.

Davidv

What is directional or omnidirectional?

I bought this antenna and mounted it on the highest part of my house. It is an old Terk (best way I can explain it is a bar antenna, as in no metal posts) as I said before I think it is a TV50. I ran a search on the Terk TV50 and it is an amplified 50 mile antenna designed for use with a sat. (which I had and got rid of for cable). I have apparently misplaced the amplifier. I do remember once upon a time, hooking up the amplifier and the picture not improving. I am about 50 miles from where the television stations broadcast from. So do you think I just need a better antenna or will the Ratshack amplifier clarify my life?

It did come with the grounding kit and I did install that.
I like lightening, just not up close.

How would the 2 piece amplifier work if I attach it at the antenna and then the signal is split on the outside of the house?

Bear with me here sometimes I wonder if I am slow or something.
Basically the wire from the antenna goes to 1 splitter of which 1 wire is going to my upstairs tv, the other connection goes to another splitter which splits the signal to 2 other tv connections. Where would I attach the indoor unit? At any of the connections, or the last connection to make sure that all tvs have the amplified signal?

Thanks for your help,
David

dorokusai

If you want higher quality reception, you need to sell that Terk and purchase a real antenna. No offense, but what reception you currently have is about as good as it gets with that design.

That antenna is an example of an omni-directional antenna.

www.channelmaster.com

disneyjoe7

Talking about Antenna's do you need to ground an antenna? I mounted one in my attic a large channel master but not sure about grounding it. Or even if I should keep it in my attic, as lightening worries me.

BTW not able to install outside due to restrictions.

dorokusai

You should always ground gear, regardless of location.

disneyjoe7

I don't even have this antenna hook up as of yet, so I should ground it? I'm thinking of taking it down considering it as a bad idea. I thinking as lightening is really bad around me large lake within a mile or so, a house within a 1/8 mile of me hit by lightening brunt to the ground. So wouldn't grounding be a lightening attraction more then anything?

labrat

In my humble opinion it should be grounded. The old fashioned lightning rods worked not because they were capable of conducting a direct shot to ground but rather because they dissipated the electrical charge before it got to the point it jumped to ground. I don't see why an antenna wouldn't act as a lightning rod if properly grounded.


Hope that helps,

Scott

labrat

David,

I have a similar situation. What worked for me is a two peice signal amplifier from rat shack. The power supply "lives" inside the house and feeds the power to the amplifier that is placed right after the antenna. By having the amplifier by the antenna the signal is amplified before it has a chance to be degraded in the cables.

Good luck with your system,

Scott

dorokusai

I was directly commenting on DJ's comment. I should have been more specific.

Grounding is important in more ways than simple lightning protection. I will only comment on this situation, as grounding is neccesary in hundreds of applications. I'm also going to be brief and simple.

The antenna is grounded by the conduits that you have connected to it....specifically cable, gear and at the end user input....the outlet. The purpose of an external ground is to route the energy caused by an outside source, in this case electrical, away from the component source or moron holding onto a 100' metal flagpole. Electricity follows the path of least resistance, which is why most grounds are of a larger gauge wire or simply the shorter path to ground....earth.

If you want your gear and/or your outlet to handle the grounding, go for it, but it's a bad idea. This is in reference to an external source of entry, not your Mom's curling iron.

Everything IN my house is terminated to ground via a 15' copper rod in my laundry room.

Please don't read this as a call to arms, it's just a comment.

disneyjoe7

Thanks Doro & Labrat you both put my mind to ease.

Davidv

Thank you for everyone's input. I think I agree with Doro and will buy a new antenna and go from there. Scott thank you for the explanation on the amplifier, if needed I now understand what to look for and how it works.