Best digital amplifier for existing antenna

I hate to bust your bubble here, but I have been using a Radio Shack adjustable in-line RF amplifier (2 to 10 dBs of additional gain) since 2007.

It connects to output side of Winegard amplifier and straight to the television on RG6u coaxial cable. It gives me up to 20 dBs gain (adjustable from 12 to 20).

I used to have the Winegard III with Wingman, but converted head to Winegard Razar after headwinds bent the old head.

My typical range is 125 miles (clear day) to 150 to 200 miles at night or cloudy conditions. Over-power is rare since you can either cut gain, or move antenna off direct aim on strong transmitters.

You can check my old posts here for more information, if the archives have been straightened out since last year. ;)

theoldwizard1 wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
Your just receiving a signal, and you're boosting it already, ...

100% correct The little protrusions or other parts of an antenna are cut to a specific length to "resonate" with frequency in a given range. This resonation is the "boost" that kerrlakeRoo is referring to.

That might be your belief, but my is completely different. While the various element lengths are designed based the best compromise for the expected wavelengths of the frequency of interested they don't really resonate. What these "antenna elements" determine is the beam pattern which in essence rejects off frequency signals. This is extremely important since this gives the antenna the ability to have a much higher signal to noise ratio that a omni or non directional antenna. the "boost" kerrlakeRoo is referring to I believe is the amplifier found in most all of the Wineguard antennas. One thing that is something I think one needs to keep in mind is that any amplifier except for the very, very high end ($100s of not $1000) is they amplify both the signal of interest along with any noise and most generate additional noise within their electronics. This "noise" with CW signals results in "snow", but depending of many factors can actually make or break the detection of a digital signal and you can also over drive many TV receivers with too much digital signal which can cause problems.

Larry

Presently about 25% of the stations are broadcasting on the VHF band. After repacking, this percentage will most likely increase. It's important to have an antenna that will perform well for VHF. About the only one that will do this is the Winegard Sensor IV.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

The current FCC mandated channel repack removes channels 37-50 from the broadcast TV spectrum. Broadcasters licensed for those channels that are not giving up their licenses will be relocated to broadcast channels 2-36. Many of those that are giving up their licenses will remain on the air by contracting with another licensee to use a sub-channel.

Thank you for correcting me ! I thought the FCC had already reclaimed VHF Band I and was discussing reclaiming Band III ! The only thing I found out about Band I is that "Digital television has problems with impulse noise interference, particularly in this band."

Given the smaller size if most "digital" antennas, I certainly would want to be in the UHF band !

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Without getting too technical, all "digital" TV channels in the US (the technical term would be ATSC) are actually transmitted in the same frequency range as old channels 7-50.

You're omitting the low VHF channels 2 - 6.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The "channel" number you see and use have no correlation to the actual frequency the signal is being broadcast on.

Not always ... as an example here in the Toronto, Ontario area CFTO (CTV flagship station) has always transmitted on CH 9 in the high VHF band, so it's actual transmitting frequency and it's virtual frequency are one and the same.

theoldwizard1 wrote:


Without getting too technical, all "digital" TV channels in the US (the technical term would be ATSC) are actually transmitted in the same frequency range as old channels 7-50. (There is speculation that the government might want to take back channels 7-13, so most of the digital OTA signals are broadcast today are already in the rage of 14-50.)

The current FCC mandated channel repack removes channels 37-50 from the broadcast TV spectrum. Broadcasters licensed for those channels that are not giving up their licenses will be relocated to broadcast channels 2-36. Many of those that are giving up their licenses will remain on the air by contracting with another licensee to use a sub-channel.

First. You have the 2nd best RV antenna already there is only one upgrade to the antenna and that is to add the WINGMAN" about 50 bucks or less and 10 minutes once you get to where you can reach the antenna. You might want a pair of slip joint pliars in your pocket when you go topside. or a multi-tool. you may or may not need 'em.

For the best amplifer.> Sensar Pro also by winegard this replaces the wall plate and it is
Power inserter for the amp in the antenna head
Adjustable 2nd pre-amp.
Signal seeker, multiple modes
Signal strength indicator
Audiable signal strength indicator (Optional)
Cable switch

Station I'm watchin gi over 25 miles out SOLID SIGNAL as I type
Other stations are farther out Over 40 miles. Likewise solid signal.

There is no such thing as a Digital Antenna. A Digital antenna is a standard UHF or VHF/UHF antenna with a higher price tag. At the antenna it's all RADIO.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
Your just receiving a signal, and you're boosting it already, ...

100% correct The little protrusions or other parts of an antenna are cut to a specific length to "resonate" with frequency in a given range. This resonation is the "boost" that kerrlakeRoo is referring to.

GordonThree wrote:
Also, there's no (such thing as a)digital TV amp, it's an (analog) RF amplifier, ...

100% correct ! This is why if you have an old antenna that worked well "back then" and it is still in good condition, it will work now. The signal is actually analog until it get "detected" inside your TV.


Without getting too technical, all "digital" TV channels in the US (the technical term would be ATSC) are actually transmitted in the same frequency range as old channels 7-50. (There is speculation that the government might want to take back channels 7-13, so most of the digital OTA signals are broadcast today are already in the rage of 14-50.)

The "channel" number you see and use have no correlation to the actual frequency the signal is being broadcast on. Think of the current channel numbers as a shorthand/abbreviation of the actual channel name.

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