lets talk RF ariels and antennia

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TV-ARIEL-SPLIT...QQcmdZViewItem

Warren,

For every time you add a connector you lose about 1.5 dB (3dB is 50% of your signal). It also stands to reason that "split" the signal down 2 runs of cable insead of 1, you also lose 50% of the signal you have.

Splitting the signal in this way mean's you'l have a 6dB loss by the time it get's to your set (given both runs of coax are the same length). If you are going to use an amplifier, I would mount it in the loft as you want to amplify the signal where it's strongest (much better sig/noise) then split it after the amplifier.

Personally I don't think you can beat getting a decent antenna in the first place, as it's not powered the sig/noise is much better, and use decent quality coax as well as this saves signal loss. If you do the last two you may get away without having to use an amp.

I worked for 14 years in the RF industry.... Working with large broacast and communications systems but the theory's the same....

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ok cool
trouble is, there is no power supply in the loft, so the booster cant really go in there.

Originally Posted by Warren

ok cool
trouble is, there is no power supply in the loft, so the booster cant really go in there.

In which case, go down the route of a decent antenna and decent coax. That's what I have, and it feeds 2 bedrooms and 2 rooms downstairs.

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cool, any recommendations for a decent ariel jelster ? im not really sure i know what im looking for ?

Just get the biggest you can, with antennas mate, it's all about size. The more elements the more gain. Which normally equates to, the longer it is the better it works.

Pop into a local TV store, not a chain or dept store, but a small specialist shop. They'll know the best antenna for your area, and probably give you some tips on the best place/way to mount it.

Have a look here..... http://www.tvaerials.com/shop.aspx?categoryid=3

Hope that helps

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ok, change of plan. (for the better and worse)

had a look at my current set up, and we have the loft ariel that i described.
then we have a huge roof ariel, it runs down the front of the house and goes in though the wall downstairs.
i have 2 options.

1 - put the signal booster where the roof ariel comes in through the front room. then a splitter, where one line would go to the downstairs TV, and the other would go into the wall where the loft ariel used to come out of the wall, i would then go into the loft, and splice the cable, putting a new cable coming from the loft into my room.

2, put the signal booster where the roof ariel comes in through the front room. then a splitter, where one line would go to the downstairs TV, and the other would go into some wireless transmitter box that im not sure exists, wi-fi the signal into the reciever thats in my room.

now the questions.
how easy is it to splice co axel cable ?
is it just like an electrical wire, or is there more to it than that.

also, does the technology exist for option 2?

You can't "splice" coax, you need 2 connectors and a "barrel" joiner; this will lose you 3db (as above)

You could amplify the signal where it comes into the front room (remember though, this will also amplify noise). Most "decent" amplifiers have more than one output, so you can feed it to wherever you like.

I'm not sure if there is a "wireless" option though.

Edit... Try here:

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cool, how does a barrel connector work ?
and whats it look like then ?
should i be gettting a pro to do it ? or you recon id be ok myself ?

Originally Posted by Warren

cool, how does a barrel connector work ?
and whats it look like then ?
should i be gettting a pro to do it ? or you recon id be ok myself ?

A barrel is just a back to back female, so male connectors (like the ones that go in the TV) plug in either end.

If you're not doing anything outside the house (and therefore require ladders etc) do it yourself. BUT, I would suggest you chat to your local TV shop (not a dept store) as they may do it quite cheaply...

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