Hi, I've question if anyone can help...

About 3 or 4 years ago we had our house extended and had a 6-way
distribution amplifier fitted in our loft to boost our analogue TV picture
and split it to different rooms in the house. The picture was then
near-perfect in all rooms.

A couple of months ago the picture quality started to deteriorate, and is
now poor.

When I plug the loft aerial straight into a TV set (in the loft, for testing
purposes!) the picture is brilliant. When I plug the aerial into the
amplifier and connect the TV to one of the amplifier outputs, it is poor
(but not as poor as downstairs, presumably due to cable losses).

My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

Obviously I don't want to spend money on a new distribution amplifier if
that's not the cause.

Many thanks if you are able to help.
--
Change red to blue in email address.

In article ,
"Timbo" writes:
Hi, I've question if anyone can help...

About 3 or 4 years ago we had our house extended and had a 6-way
distribution amplifier fitted in our loft to boost our analogue TV picture
and split it to different rooms in the house. The picture was then
near-perfect in all rooms.

A couple of months ago the picture quality started to deteriorate, and is
now poor.

When I plug the loft aerial straight into a TV set (in the loft, for testing
purposes!) the picture is brilliant. When I plug the aerial into the
amplifier and connect the TV to one of the amplifier outputs, it is poor
(but not as poor as downstairs, presumably due to cable losses).

My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

What you describe is typical of the amplifier having lost its
power supply, and the signal is just what's capacitively leaking
through the unit. Does it make any difference if you actually
switch the power to it off?

--
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel" andrew@a17 wrote in message
.. .
In article ,
"Timbo" writes:
Hi, I've question if anyone can help...

About 3 or 4 years ago we had our house extended and had a 6-way
distribution amplifier fitted in our loft to boost our analogue TV
picture
and split it to different rooms in the house. The picture was then
near-perfect in all rooms.

A couple of months ago the picture quality started to deteriorate, and is
now poor.

When I plug the loft aerial straight into a TV set (in the loft, for
testing
purposes!) the picture is brilliant. When I plug the aerial into the
amplifier and connect the TV to one of the amplifier outputs, it is poor
(but not as poor as downstairs, presumably due to cable losses).

My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

What you describe is typical of the amplifier having lost its
power supply, and the signal is just what's capacitively leaking
through the unit. Does it make any difference if you actually
switch the power to it off?

--
Andrew Gabriel


Thanks for replying...
The power is definitely on, as the on/off switch lights up, and when you
switch it off there is no picture at all.
I should add that I've managed to get one TV to have a reasonable picture by
connecting it up to the single "Full" output. But even then it's not as good
as if I bypass the amplifier altogether.


--
Change red to blue in email address.

Thanks for replying...
The power is definitely on, as the on/off switch lights up, and when you
switch it off there is no picture at all.
I should add that I've managed to get one TV to have a reasonable picture
by connecting it up to the single "Full" output. But even then it's not as
good as if I bypass the amplifier altogether.

Have you tired disconnecting all the outputs, then trying to connect just
one (and if that is a bad picture, try another port, then if that is still
bad, try another run to a different room?)

Just thinking maybe one of the outputs has got shorted, and this is dragging
the whole lot down?

Sparks...

Timbo expressed precisely :
My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

After reading your other submission, it does sound as if the unit has
failed. Certainly they can suffer storm damage (lightning). Even if not
a direct strike, it can damage the front end.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org

"Sparks" wrote in message
.. .


Thanks for replying...
The power is definitely on, as the on/off switch lights up, and when you
switch it off there is no picture at all.
I should add that I've managed to get one TV to have a reasonable picture
by connecting it up to the single "Full" output. But even then it's not
as good as if I bypass the amplifier altogether.

Have you tired disconnecting all the outputs, then trying to connect just
one (and if that is a bad picture, try another port, then if that is still
bad, try another run to a different room?)

Just thinking maybe one of the outputs has got shorted, and this is
dragging the whole lot down?

Sparks...

I mostly did my testing using a portable TV in the loft, firstly plugged
into a spare output, and then having unplugged all the other outputs. Didn't
seem to make much difference. I don't think I tried it in every one of the
outputs, though. What causes shorting? (Just occurred to me that as my
aerial is in the loft, a storm seems an unlikely reason??)

--
Change red to blue in email address.

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
Timbo expressed precisely :
My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

After reading your other submission, it does sound as if the unit has
failed. Certainly they can suffer storm damage (lightning). Even if not a
direct strike, it can damage the front end.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org



Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.

--
Change red to blue in email address.

I mostly did my testing using a portable TV in the loft, firstly plugged
into a spare output, and then having unplugged all the other outputs.
Didn't seem to make much difference. I don't think I tried it in every one
of the outputs, though. What causes shorting? (Just occurred to me that as
my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems an unlikely reason??)

Shorting could be caused by nailing through a cable, or a crap connector at
one end (or a fault in a TV/VCR Etc.)

If you tried a few, with all other outputs disconnected, it sounds like the
unit has failed for whatever reason.

Do you have a mast head amplifier too (another box of tricks, usually right
next to the Ariel)?

Sparks...

Timbo formulated the question :
Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.

Most likely the actual amplifier, the FET. Look for a component which
looks like a transistor... Three legs, probably black plastic cased. If
you can work out the part number on the side, then it should be
possible to buy a replacement. Not a guaranteed fix, but it is
difficult diagnosing at a distance.


--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org

In article , Timbo
writes


"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
Timbo expressed precisely :
My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

After reading your other submission, it does sound as if the unit has
failed. Certainly they can suffer storm damage (lightning). Even if not a
direct strike, it can damage the front end.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org



Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.


Very likely to be a lightning belt, this happened to ours a few weeks
ago. Identical symptoms. Unless you can recognise the appropriate
transistors then replacement is the only cure!.

Don't worry about it being in the loft, the one that did ours in hit a
house 400 yards away!....
--
Tony Sayer

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
Timbo formulated the question :
Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm
seems an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.

Most likely the actual amplifier, the FET. Look for a component which
looks like a transistor... Three legs, probably black plastic cased. If
you can work out the part number on the side, then it should be possible
to buy a replacement. Not a guaranteed fix, but it is difficult diagnosing
at a distance.




Thanks Harry.

I'm a complete novice at that sort of thing, so I think I'll probably try
replacing the whole unit - thanks for all the help!

--
Change red to blue in email address.

"Sparks" wrote in message
.. .


I mostly did my testing using a portable TV in the loft, firstly plugged
into a spare output, and then having unplugged all the other outputs.
Didn't seem to make much difference. I don't think I tried it in every
one of the outputs, though. What causes shorting? (Just occurred to me
that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems an unlikely reason??)

Shorting could be caused by nailing through a cable, or a crap connector
at one end (or a fault in a TV/VCR Etc.)

If you tried a few, with all other outputs disconnected, it sounds like
the unit has failed for whatever reason.

Do you have a mast head amplifier too (another box of tricks, usually
right next to the Ariel)?

Sparks...

Not sure about the masthead, will check it out when I can, won't be for a
day or two though. But as I said, the picture is fantastic when I simply
bypass the amp unit. Thanks for your help thus far, I'm inclined to try
replacing the amp box.

--
Change red to blue in email address.

tony sayer explained :
Very likely to be a lightning belt, this happened to ours a few weeks
ago. Identical symptoms. Unless you can recognise the appropriate
transistors then replacement is the only cure!.

Don't worry about it being in the loft, the one that did ours in hit a
house 400 yards away!....

Agreed, I had similar happen a few years ago. It took a printer, modem
and an expensive satellite system out. Indoors only improves its
chances of surviving, it will not guarantee it.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:39:31 +0100, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

Timbo formulated the question :
Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.

Most likely the actual amplifier, the FET. Look for a component which
looks like a transistor... Three legs, probably black plastic cased. If
you can work out the part number on the side, then it should be
possible to buy a replacement. Not a guaranteed fix, but it is
difficult diagnosing at a distance.

Are these tiny ? My amp has gone a bit iffy recently, although cycling the
power and/or wiggling a few of the leads around seems to restore normal
operation for a time. I opened it up expecting to see a decent set of
circuitry and maybe the odd suspect component, and found hardly anything
inside !

--
It is pleasent experience to be alone in a bank at night.

tony sayer wrote:

In article , Timbo
writes


"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...

Timbo expressed precisely :

My question is: can these distribution amplifiers "go wrong"? If so I
obviously need to replace it. I've seen a reference to distribution
amplifiers needing replacing after a storm. Is the a possible cause?

After reading your other submission, it does sound as if the unit has
failed. Certainly they can suffer storm damage (lightning). Even if not a
direct strike, it can damage the front end.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org



Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.



Very likely to be a lightning belt, this happened to ours a few weeks
ago. Identical symptoms. Unless you can recognise the appropriate
transistors then replacement is the only cure!.

Don't worry about it being in the loft, the one that did ours in hit a
house 400 yards away!....

A lightning strike anywhere within half a mile can induce a pretty
massive voltage into any cable. You don't need a direct strike or
anything LIKE it.

In article ,
John Laird writes:

Are these tiny ?

Yes. Some of the RF transistors have a nasty chemical in them.
Can't remember what it is, but the datasheets have dire warnings
about breaking them open, disposing of them or burning them.

My amp has gone a bit iffy recently, although cycling the
power and/or wiggling a few of the leads around seems to restore normal
operation for a time. I opened it up expecting to see a decent set of
circuitry and maybe the odd suspect component, and found hardly anything
inside !

One transistor, a few tiny capacitors and coils is quite
typical. Some of them use one of the hybrid RF amplifier
modules.

--
Andrew Gabriel

After serious thinking John Laird wrote :
On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:39:31 +0100, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

Timbo formulated the question :
Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.

Most likely the actual amplifier, the FET. Look for a component which
looks like a transistor... Three legs, probably black plastic cased. If
you can work out the part number on the side, then it should be
possible to buy a replacement. Not a guaranteed fix, but it is
difficult diagnosing at a distance.

Are these tiny ? My amp has gone a bit iffy recently, although cycling the
power and/or wiggling a few of the leads around seems to restore normal
operation for a time. I opened it up expecting to see a decent set of
circuitry and maybe the odd suspect component, and found hardly anything
inside !

That would indicate dry solder joints, rather than actual failed
components. Most probably solder connection to the sockets.

There is almost nothing inside...

Power supply; basic amplifier; perhaps filter components and then some
impendence matching to each output socket.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org

Thanks. Just occurred to me that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm
seems
an unlikely reason??

I wonder if it has just partially failed due to a component or something.


Very likely to be a lightning belt, this happened to ours a few weeks
ago. Identical symptoms. Unless you can recognise the appropriate
transistors then replacement is the only cure!.

Don't worry about it being in the loft, the one that did ours in hit a
house 400 yards away!....
--
Tony Sayer


Interesting! Thanks. Definitely going to try a replacement then.

--
Change red to blue in email address.

On 08 Oct 2005 22:31:47 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

In article ,
John Laird writes:

Are these tiny ?

Yes. Some of the RF transistors have a nasty chemical in them.
Can't remember what it is, but the datasheets have dire warnings
about breaking them open, disposing of them or burning them.

Beryllium oxide.

--
Frank Erskine
Sunderland

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:01:27 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

|
| "Sparks" wrote in message
| .. .
|
|
| I mostly did my testing using a portable TV in the loft, firstly plugged
| into a spare output, and then having unplugged all the other outputs.
| Didn't seem to make much difference. I don't think I tried it in every
| one of the outputs, though. What causes shorting? (Just occurred to me
| that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems an unlikely reason??)
|
| Shorting could be caused by nailing through a cable, or a crap connector
| at one end (or a fault in a TV/VCR Etc.)
|
| If you tried a few, with all other outputs disconnected, it sounds like
| the unit has failed for whatever reason.
|
| Do you have a mast head amplifier too (another box of tricks, usually
| right next to the Ariel)?
|
| Sparks...
|
| Not sure about the masthead, will check it out when I can, won't be for a
| day or two though. But as I said, the picture is fantastic when I simply
| bypass the amp unit. Thanks for your help thus far, I'm inclined to try
| replacing the amp box.

If you do IME one with "F" connectors is much better than the normal TV
connectors, and if you end up changing coax, use Satellite grade, with
copper foil and copper braid which is IME much better.

--
Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk
The London suicide bombers killed innocent commuters.
Animal rights terrorists and activists kill innocent patients.

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 08:31:21 +0100, Dave Fawthrop
wrote:

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:01:27 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

|
| "Sparks" wrote in message
| .. .
|
|
| I mostly did my testing using a portable TV in the loft, firstly plugged
| into a spare output, and then having unplugged all the other outputs.
| Didn't seem to make much difference. I don't think I tried it in every
| one of the outputs, though. What causes shorting? (Just occurred to me
| that as my aerial is in the loft, a storm seems an unlikely reason??)
|
| Shorting could be caused by nailing through a cable, or a crap connector
| at one end (or a fault in a TV/VCR Etc.)
|
| If you tried a few, with all other outputs disconnected, it sounds like
| the unit has failed for whatever reason.
|
| Do you have a mast head amplifier too (another box of tricks, usually
| right next to the Ariel)?
|
| Sparks...
|
| Not sure about the masthead, will check it out when I can, won't be for a
| day or two though. But as I said, the picture is fantastic when I simply
| bypass the amp unit. Thanks for your help thus far, I'm inclined to try
| replacing the amp box.

If you do IME one with "F" connectors is much better than the normal TV
connectors, and if you end up changing coax, use Satellite grade, with
copper foil and copper braid which is IME much better.

Along these lines, you can get distribution amplifiers with a number
of built in outputs on the box and a high level output.

This be connected to passive splitters (very inexpensive - about £3)
perhaps located closer to several sockets on the ground floor or first
floor. The advantage is shorter and easier cable runs.

http://www.teldis.com/CP-Taps&Splits.htm






--

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

Beryllium oxide.

Mainly RF power devices, not small signal amplifiers.

Dave

Frank Erskine presented the following explanation :
On 08 Oct 2005 22:31:47 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

In article ,
John Laird writes:

Are these tiny ?

Yes. Some of the RF transistors have a nasty chemical in them.
Can't remember what it is, but the datasheets have dire warnings
about breaking them open, disposing of them or burning them.

Beryllium oxide.

You will only find this in the high power devices where heat needs to
be got out of the device quickly - transmitters, not in small signal
amplifiers such as the item in question.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.org

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 11:34:25 +0100, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

Frank Erskine presented the following explanation :
On 08 Oct 2005 22:31:47 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

In article ,
John Laird writes:

Are these tiny ?

Yes. Some of the RF transistors have a nasty chemical in them.
Can't remember what it is, but the datasheets have dire warnings
about breaking them open, disposing of them or burning them.

Beryllium oxide.

You will only find this in the high power devices where heat needs to
be got out of the device quickly - transmitters, not in small signal
amplifiers such as the item in question.

[scratches head]

I'm still trying to work out how a simple question like "are these tiny" led
off so quickly into a discussion about dangerous chemicals...

(Don't worry - I'm not new to Usenet :-))

--
Designated no-hitter.

OK so I'm planning to buy a new TV distribution amplifier. Can I get a
little help?

My existing one (assumed faulty) boasts a frequency range of 40-900MHz.
Maplin have a 6-way and an 8-way model (nos YZ86T and KR20W), both with a
frequency range of 47-230MHz.I've seen other models on ebay quoting near to
the 900Mhz top end.
a) is the much lower top end of the range on the Maplins a problem for TV
signals? I'm afraid I've no idea whether it's important or not.
b) the two Maplins models are the same price - is there any reason not to
simply buy the 8-way one?

Any advice appreciated.

--
Change red to blue in email address.

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:53:25 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

OK so I'm planning to buy a new TV distribution amplifier. Can I get a
little help?

My existing one (assumed faulty) boasts a frequency range of 40-900MHz.
Maplin have a 6-way and an 8-way model (nos YZ86T and KR20W), both with a
frequency range of 47-230MHz.I've seen other models on ebay quoting near to
the 900Mhz top end.
a) is the much lower top end of the range on the Maplins a problem for TV
signals? I'm afraid I've no idea whether it's important or not.
b) the two Maplins models are the same price - is there any reason not to
simply buy the 8-way one?

Any advice appreciated.

You'd do best if you avoid one that covers around 170 MHz if you live
anywhere near a main road. Most taxi radios operate around the
160-170MHz range; if they "key-up" anywhere near your sensitive
amplifier you'll very likely get breakthrough, or at least overload of
the amplifier causing all sorts of problems.
If you want really reliable reception of _TV_ and aren't interested
in FM or DAB reception via the same amplifier, get one which operates
on UHF only.

--
Frank Erskine

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:53:25 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

OK so I'm planning to buy a new TV distribution amplifier. Can I get a
little help?

My existing one (assumed faulty) boasts a frequency range of 40-900MHz.
Maplin have a 6-way and an 8-way model (nos YZ86T and KR20W), both with a
frequency range of 47-230MHz.I've seen other models on ebay quoting near to
the 900Mhz top end.
a) is the much lower top end of the range on the Maplins a problem for TV
signals? I'm afraid I've no idea whether it's important or not.

That sounds like the FM range. It doesn't even get into the TV band, which
would be a slight problem if it was indeed all the unit could manage ;-) A
minute's Googling turned up the spec for the UHF range as 470-862MHz.
That's fine.

b) the two Maplins models are the same price - is there any reason not to
simply buy the 8-way one?

Probably not. My own amp is looking a bit iffy, but I wasn't keen on what
seemed to be the somewhat high gain quoted on the Maplin units - they claim
12dB per output. Fine if your signal is somewhat weak, but if you are
distributing the signal (as I do) from the digibox and VCR chained together,
then each of these has in turn typically added a small boost already. My
Taylor unit says 2dB on it - it's basically just distributing and only
amplifying in the sense that 8 outputs from 1 input does require
amplification. There have been times when I have found a 6dB attenuator on
the amp input has reduced some noticeable noise and visible artifacts.

--
For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall.

"Frank Erskine" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:53:25 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

OK so I'm planning to buy a new TV distribution amplifier. Can I get a
little help?

My existing one (assumed faulty) boasts a frequency range of 40-900MHz.
Maplin have a 6-way and an 8-way model (nos YZ86T and KR20W), both with a
frequency range of 47-230MHz.I've seen other models on ebay quoting near
to
the 900Mhz top end.
a) is the much lower top end of the range on the Maplins a problem for TV
signals? I'm afraid I've no idea whether it's important or not.
b) the two Maplins models are the same price - is there any reason not to
simply buy the 8-way one?

Any advice appreciated.

You'd do best if you avoid one that covers around 170 MHz if you live
anywhere near a main road. Most taxi radios operate around the
160-170MHz range; if they "key-up" anywhere near your sensitive
amplifier you'll very likely get breakthrough, or at least overload of
the amplifier causing all sorts of problems.
If you want really reliable reception of _TV_ and aren't interested
in FM or DAB reception via the same amplifier, get one which operates
on UHF only.

--
Frank Erskine

Thanks for the reply. See my reply to the post above!

"John Laird" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:53:25 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

OK so I'm planning to buy a new TV distribution amplifier. Can I get a
little help?

My existing one (assumed faulty) boasts a frequency range of 40-900MHz.
Maplin have a 6-way and an 8-way model (nos YZ86T and KR20W), both with a
frequency range of 47-230MHz.I've seen other models on ebay quoting near
to
the 900Mhz top end.
a) is the much lower top end of the range on the Maplins a problem for TV
signals? I'm afraid I've no idea whether it's important or not.

That sounds like the FM range. It doesn't even get into the TV band,
which
would be a slight problem if it was indeed all the unit could manage ;-)
A
minute's Googling turned up the spec for the UHF range as 470-862MHz.
That's fine.

b) the two Maplins models are the same price - is there any reason not to
simply buy the 8-way one?

Probably not. My own amp is looking a bit iffy, but I wasn't keen on what
seemed to be the somewhat high gain quoted on the Maplin units - they
claim
12dB per output. Fine if your signal is somewhat weak, but if you are
distributing the signal (as I do) from the digibox and VCR chained
together,
then each of these has in turn typically added a small boost already. My
Taylor unit says 2dB on it - it's basically just distributing and only
amplifying in the sense that 8 outputs from 1 input does require
amplification. There have been times when I have found a 6dB attenuator
on
the amp input has reduced some noticeable noise and visible artifacts.

--
For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall.

I wish I knew how you found that out in 1 minute's googling - I've hunted
high and low and can't find it - any google tips?

Meanwhile I went to Maplins and bought a slightly different model (it's what
they had in stock) the L24AG, which is one of those ones with a digital
by-pass. Anyway, I've plugged it in and now my picture is near PERFECT on
all TVs. So the old amplifier was faulty for whatever reason.

Incidentally, this model has a gain of 6dB on each output. I'm distributing
the signal from the loft, near the aerial. I don't know about this digital
by-pass thing as we have cable TV.

Thanks everybody for all the help.
--
Change red to blue in email address.

On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:03:28 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:

I wish I knew how you found that out in 1 minute's googling - I've hunted
high and low and can't find it - any google tips?

I happened to know it was branded SLX (as I'd looked at them in my local
maplin). Second link under "SLX 6-way amplifier specification" got me the
info you needed. Always give Google a selection of words to go on.
Specification was probably the key here.

I have Google's Toolbar loaded into IE and Firefox. Search engine is set to
google.co.uk as this nicely pops up results with the additional "Search UK
pages only" button. Not fool-proof, but pretty reliable.

When looking for prices, I usually add VAT into the search string.

Apart from that, practice is the key. I have misspent a lot of time online
;-)

--
Those who can't write, write manuals.

In article ,
says...
snip
I wish I knew how you found that out in 1 minute's googling - I've hunted
high and low and can't find it - any google tips?

Search for
uhf-tv frequency-range
on google.co.uk, selecting "pages from the UK"

"John Laird" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:03:28 GMT, "Timbo"
wrote:


I happened to know it was branded SLX (as I'd looked at them in my local
maplin). Second link under "SLX 6-way amplifier specification" got me the
info you needed. Always give Google a selection of words to go on.
Specification was probably the key here.

I have Google's Toolbar loaded into IE and Firefox. Search engine is set
to
google.co.uk as this nicely pops up results with the additional "Search UK
pages only" button. Not fool-proof, but pretty reliable.

When looking for prices, I usually add VAT into the search string.

Apart from that, practice is the key. I have misspent a lot of time
online
;-)


Thanks. I think you were quite lucky with that one, though! Other search
variants don't find that site.

I too use the Google toolbar in the way you do. Nice idea about VAT for
prices.

The 6dB box I've bought is certainly doing the business for me, no idea
whether 12dB gain would have caused any problems.

--
Change red to blue in email address.

Andrew Gabriel wrote:

In article ,
John Laird writes:

Are these tiny ?


Yes. Some of the RF transistors have a nasty chemical in them.
Can't remember what it is, but the datasheets have dire warnings
about breaking them open, disposing of them or burning them.



Beryllium.