Sanity check from you cord cutters

[goeduck]

the preamps can be anywhere from 15 to 30db. For the house distribution amps, they are usually marked on the output legs. More common are +4 or +8db each.

If you are only going to run to a tablo and one other tv, you can prob get away with a single two way splitter after the preamp if drops are fairly short. You'll only be down -3.5dB per leg. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113JAN8K/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0113JAN8K&pd_rd_w=KDGVP&pf_rd_p=733540df-430d-45cd-9525-21bc15b0e6cc&pd_rd_wg=CqhZH&pf_rd_r=CEW2P4F9Y9DV79G8C1PF&pd_rd_r=81a1a64e-517c-11e9-acab-6543103b616a

A few weeks ago, not wanting to toss a bunch of money at an antenna if there was no chance of getting a signal, I bought a $25 cheapie with the intent of using it as a test and then upgrading. To my surprise I get about 40 stations but about half of those only if I use the cable coming out of the gizmo marked TV1 and if I take the antenna directly into the TV or Tablo I get only a few:

TV1 I get about 40
TV2 I get about 20
No gizmo, direct I get about 5

Is this telling me that I need a powered preamp? I like a better quality equipment than the above so I was looking at Channel Master for a preamp and antenna:

4-bay HDTV/UHF Digital Outdoor TV Antenna-Channel Master CM 4221HD (CM4221HD)

Outdoor HDTV VHF/UHF Antenna Amplifier/Booster-Channel Master CM 7777HD (CM7777HD)

The feed direct to the TV would be manual, unplug from Tablo and plug into the coax connection on the TV, I would not feed both.

 

[thekkfan]

If that's what you are using, you will be AMAZED with a CM antenna and preamp. Rule for antennas, size does matter.

I installed one of those for my FIL down in FL. Works ok for him, but hes close enough to Orlando that everything is nearby. Out in the sticks you need something more substantial.

 

[CMV]

So dumb question.....With this arrangement:

Could I take 2 antennas pointing opposite directions and use a splitter "backwards" to bridge them into one?

 

[goeduck]

If that's what you are using, you will be AMAZED with a CM antenna and preamp. Rule for antennas, size does matter.

I installed one of those for my FIL down in FL. Works ok for him, but hes close enough to Orlando that everything is nearby. Out in the sticks you need something more substantial.

That antenna was a $25 throw away now that I know I can get a signal I will install something better. Is there a way to fine tune the dB output without special equipment? Also, should the mast be grounded?

 

[thekkfan]

So dumb question.....With this arrangement:

Could I take 2 antennas pointing opposite directions and use a splitter "backwards" to bridge them into one?

Yes sir! But drops from antennas to splitter have to be equal length. There are articles on the web about doing so.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yes sir! But drops from antennas to splitter have to be equal length. There are articles on the web about doing so.

I would guess that maybe 2 of the same antennas would help.

 

[thekkfan]

That antenna was a $25 throw away now that I know I can get a signal I will install something better. Is there a way to fine tune the dB output without special equipment? Also, should the mast be grounded?

IF outside, yes ground it. I did not ground mine inside my attic. Mine is over my master bdrm. I have a walk in attic and its mounted hanging from the ridge beam on a 4ft wooden dowel.

CM makes an adjustable level pre-amp also- it's on their site. I went with the high/low version to see which worked better. Think its +17 or +30db??

 

[oosik]

That's the beauty of living out here in the sticks. No cable ANYTHING to worry about. It's either satellite or it's NOTHING.

 

[goeduck]

IF outside, yes ground it. I did not ground mine inside my attic. Mine is over my master bdrm. I have a walk in attic and its mounted hanging from the ridge beam on a 4ft wooden dowel.

CM makes an adjustable level pre-amp also- it's on their site. I went with the high/low version to see which worked better. Think its +17 or +30db??

I assume people use the house ground off of a circuit in the attic? During the last snow storm the neighbors overhead cable drop was ripped off of their house and the cable guy left the old 100 ft of cable (only about a year old) on the ground. It is a Commscope F677TSVM with a messenger conductor, I wonder if people use that for a ground. Mine will be attached metallically to the chimney so it is going to be somewhat self grounding. My roof slopes down towards the transmitting towers so I am thinking the antenna will be best on the side of the chimney, not above where the wood stove smoke will hit it in the winter.

https://www.commscope.com/catalog/cables/pdf/part/46870/4514603_F677TSVM_XP.pdf

 

[kcflhrc]

I assume people use the house ground off of a circuit in the attic? During the last snow storm the neighbors overhead cable drop was ripped off of their house and the cable guy left the old 100 ft of cable (only about a year old) on the ground. It is a Commscope F677TSVM with a messenger conductor, I wonder if people use that for a ground. Mine will be attached metallically to the chimney so it is going to be somewhat self grounding. My roof slopes down towards the transmitting towers so I am thinking the antenna will be best on the side of the chimney, not above where the wood stove smoke will hit it in the winter.

https://www.commscope.com/catalog/cables/pdf/part/46870/4514603_F677TSVM_XP.pdf

How is attaching it to the chimney "self grounding" ? The messenger wire is to attach the cable at the pole and the house, not really for grounding.