Amplified vs Non-Amplified Antennas

Yes. It's best to look at http://www.tvfool.com/ to see what kind you need. You can anonymously post your results here and the folks in this forum will help guide your antenna choice.

The type and size antenna needed and whether amplifed or not is based on the channels being used in your area and how strong the signals from the towers are at your location. Also, how much coax will be connected to the antenna and how many splits. In the case of your other thread you started, an amplified antenna would not be needed for the channels of interest in the TVFool report you posted; and the signal could likely be split without need of an amp.

Amps introduce noise and often pick up and amplify electrical interference, and should only be used as a last resort.

Not overkill, but amp/tuner overload from such strong signals present, according to the TVFool report you posted in your other thread. On a TV signal meter, the result may actually show up as a lower or fluctuating signal strength/quality reading, than it might without the amp.


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I would add, if you know for sure that you are receiving a strong signal, is to use a distribution amp at the end of of a long cable run to make up for the cable losses if you plan to split the signal to multiple TVs. No danger of amplifier overload since you are amplifying a weaken signal.

Is this your TVFool? If so, you do not need an amplified antenna for your major networks in green at the top of the list.

I think he means you would have no danger of overload if you were using a distribution amp at the end of a long coax run.

Amplified antennas and some pre-amps are very likely to overload ("cross-modulate") when fed by strong signals, even if those signals are out of the normal TV bands. Many times, a professional pre-amp will have to have built-in or external bandpass filters, or have a "notch" filter or two added, in order to not have overload problems. Then, and only then, can the preamp be used to drive a really long line, say, going down from the roof of a big hotel or hospital, to a downstairs head-end/processor.

There's no place in an "amplified antenna" to put any outboard filters.

As kenglish stated, an amplified antenna is not appropriate for your strong signals location because of potential overload. However if the HDTVa works well for you then you should consider using the HDTVi instead, which is the non-amplified version.

It was in another thread you started, along with questions. I assumed it was the location in question. Sorry.

What is yours?

Since your less than two mile from the stations, I think your can make due with the HDTVi antenna even with a 50ft cable & splitter (unless your trying to get channels beyond WUTB 24).

Since you said you've already got both a HDTVi & HDTVa antenna, why not just rig up a test setup to see how well it would work?

ANTENNA --> SPLITTER --> 50FT COAX --> BASEMENT

I'm less than 2 miles from Madison's two TV towers, and still benefit from an amplifier. What you say? While I'm 2 miles away horizontally, the antennas are more than 1/4 mile above my head. Even with negative beam tilt, I'm still off-axis from their narrow vertical gain lobe. What's worse, FM radio stations mounted lower on the same towers, and atop much lower towers all close to my neighborhood puts a LOT of FM radio band energy into my passive omni. I put an FM trap before the amp, and switch on the built-in FM trap in the amp. Between the filters and using all 4 outputs, turning the gain all the way up seems to give the best results. I see the same signal levels no matter how I set the gain, but the BER is less with more gain. Go figure.

I'd rather use my own antenna amplifier rather than buy an amplified antenna. With the latter there's no guarantee that the amp circuit is any good, and not much to do if it sucks. Some you can't even turn off!

You probably don't need an amplified antenna for the Baltimore channels, but it may help if you want DC.

AdamsAutoAdvice,
For the channels in green on your TVFool, you do not need an amp'd antenna.

My Terk TV 5 works great on my channels that are 8 miles away. I leave the antenna plugged in but I have the antenna turned off.

Sony KDL52V5100 currently using a philips
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SDV862...9110090&sr=1-5

We tried hooking the antenna directly to our set and it wouldn't "scan" for new channels. Says it has a built in tuner but for some reason it doesn't scan new channels using this amplified antenna. For now had to use a converter box which allows it to have tv but as you know it looks like regular poor tv quality. Every time we try to connect directly antenna to tv it doesn't seem to work. Getting about 14 channels with this setup but looking for more.

House is on a side of a hill so ground level estimate of 25ft with mounted outdoor antenna on a 8ft pole over the roof line. We are in the boonies lol.

Looking for an antenna upgrade.

Use the "Channels and Inputs" menu to run the scan. Your model of Sony set has a "built-in" owner instruction manual. Refer to it for specifics.

Yeah with it hooked directly can run the "auto program" all we want it never finds anything. Scans through all several minutes later and nada every time. Put the converter box inline is the only way to get picture. I somehow think its the antenna needing the power injector inline it's not "seeing" an antenna when connected directly.

Frustrating but we don't watch much tv so been living with it as is. First few months viewing since 04 actually. Figured when it's on would like to at least see it in HD.

Back to antenna's looking at a channel master 3020. If need be also the inline amp 7777. Any input? I wan't to revamp and upgrade this.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_6593020...ster-3020.html

You have to tell the TV whether to look for ANTENNA or CABLE channels.
At least that's how my Sony is setup.

Height: 5 feet? Is this a set top antenna in the cabin of your boat on the Chesapeake Bay or somethng?

I just ran your TVfool for the approximate coordinates of 39.34 and -76.62 and miraculously, the Washington, DC channel strengths improved by typically nearly 50dB and became 1 edge, except for channel 50, which became LOS.

Try increasing your mast height a little with yor exact coordinates and see how much Washington, DC might improve.

Autox320. Make sure the set is in TV or antenna input or source mode instead of any other input or source mode before you select "menu", as sometimes the menu won't let you scan if you entered it in a non-RF input or source mode.

Thanks Mike I'll have the lady check it out next time she wants to watch tv.

I'll have her check that also, thanks.