"James" wrote in message
...
I live about 8 miles from 4 local tv stations, and 25 miles from a much
desired UHF station. Luckily, they are all in the same general
direction.
I plan to buy a medium size vhf/uhf antenna. My coax run will be 50
feet.
Although I don't really need "gain" for the vhf stations, I do need it
for
the uhf station. "Some" extra gain will be ok for the vhf stations.
Whatever the setup, I want to use the lowest-loss RG6 that I can buy.
Here are my questions:
1. Where (online or else) can I find the very best, lowest loss RG6 coax
?
2. Assuming that I need a pre-amp, if I only have a 50 ft run of low-loss
coax, will my system work well if I mount the preamp at the tv end of the
50 ft coax, as compared to putting it at the antenna? I realize the
advantage of mounting at the antenna, yet I would like the convenience of
having the pre-amp inside. I am considering an adjustable pre-amp, and
that
would be more usuable if I had it at the tv instead of at the antenna.
3. Will a brick chimney (with no steel liner or inserts) about 20 feet
from
the antenna, but in-line with the desired stations, attenuate the
signals
??
4. Are the Radio Shack pre-amps decent ??
------------------------------
My thoughts: Perhaps I will get a pre-amp that will produce about 20
db
of gain. I will mount it inside. The 50 ft of coax will have a loss of
perhaps 5 db, so I have a net of 15 db gain at the tv. This will be
more
than enough for the vhf stations that are pretty close, but I am not sure
about the uhf station 25 miles away. It would seem to be good enough for
that as well.
What do you think ?? Thanks for any advice !!
1_ there is very little differance in the loss of the coax if name brands
are used. Get some that has a braid and foil shield. Forget about all the
stuff that is quad shielded and other things unless you get it at a good
price. Look for Belden if you can find it .
2- with the station only 25 miles away and only 50 feet of coax you should
not need a preamp. With the VHF stations that close you might even get too
much signal and the stations will overlaod the preamp and the reception
goes all to pot. (simple explination)
3- probably not so much that you could tell it.
4= almost nothing from Radio Shack is worth it.
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