Forum Discussion

btcruzer's avatar
btcruzer
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016

What are those called?

What are those amplifiers called in our RVs for the TVs. I'm looking for one with 3 inputs ( park cable, satellite, over the air antenna.

Is an amplifier required or can it be just an " A B switch " ?

I want a switch with 3 coax inputs:
one for satellite with no amplifier ....
another for park cable no amp.
then a third input with amplification for OTA

anyone know a source for something like this?
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    For a single TV you use a Coax Switch. I will explain the amplifer myth later

    For multiple TV's you use a MATRIX SWITCH We call it a BOMB or Box of many Buttons here.. But a common multi-input coax switch will work for what you want. Radio Shack used to sell them with 2 or 3 inputs.

    THe amplifer Winegard's standard amplifier is in the antenna head, where it belongs, Only the power supply 9is inside the RV

    The SENSOR PRO, however, is an additional amplifer

    Now.. for best results with either a single TV or "All TV's Get Same Signal"

    Use a Sensar Pro

    Feed the park cable (Where you have it) or Sat Receivers' RF-OUT (Antenna conneciton labeled TO TV to an A/B switch (A for Satellits cause they are UP ABOVE and B for cable,, Down Below) and then with the Sensar Pro on.. ANTENNA tv (not the network bnut the rooftop antenna0 With the sensor pro OFF the A/B swich selects.

    If you want to use the same cable for both Sat Ant (to Receiver) and park cable then you need two A/B switches

    Cable-----A/b1---A/B2 A side to Sat LBN in B to other switch)
    A/B--1 (A side to Sat TV-Out, B to other switch)

    Switch both switches to "A" for satellite and B for cable.
  • There is a wall plate for most OTA RV antennas which is NOT an amplifier but rather a power supply. The amplifier is in the head of the antenna itself. Generally, you would use the wall plate to switch between OTA input or campground cable input and then the satellite would run directly to the TV (if you want/need HD then you must use this option). If you only need the SD satellite TV you can add an A/B switch to wall plate cable connection and then the wall plate would allow you to select OTA or Cable/satellite depending upon which A/B switch is selected.
  • He says he has the satellite setup working but wants to change inputs without unplugging/plugging cables.
  • Yes those are kinda what I need. But I'd like a nice looking unit, maybe wall mounted where the cables are hidden. I need it to replace an existing defective TV antenna amplifier that had a switch for OTA or satellite. I sold my TT, never really used the TV. New owner wants to use the TV with park cable, or satellite or OTA. Trying to help him out, 100 miles away.
  • You can find several on Amazon: LINK.

    But, you have to remember that most new electronic devices do not use coax now. Instead, they use hdmi cables to connect devices. In time, you will find that you have to change from coax.

    For example, your satellite has to connect to a receiver before it goes
    to the TV. Most satellite receivers do not have coax connectors anymore.
  • Yes, I need a video switch but can not find one for the RV. most of what I've found has RCA type in/out plugs. I need coax. Also need an amp. that uses 12volts.
  • btcruzer wrote:
    What are those amplifiers called in our RVs for the TVs. I'm looking for one with 3 inputs ( park cable, satellite, over the air antenna.

    Is an amplifier required or can it be just an " A B switch " ?

    I want a switch with 3 coax inputs:
    one for satellite with no amplifier ....
    another for park cable no amp.
    then a third input with amplification for OTA

    anyone know a source for something like this?

    do you mean a video switch?

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