Cable TV Amplfier with antenna

[scan83g]

I was wondering if anyone else had tried this before and their results.

Input
antenna -> adaptor BNC to F -> Cable amp in

Output
Cable amp -Out -> Coax jumper with F connector/ BNC -> scanner

Amplifier says it covers frequencies of 50 to 900 Mhz.
Seems to work at least some hard to judge yet how well.
testing some now.

 

[Napalm]

Don't these things have some really big gain figures? Like 50dB?

I may be wrong.

 

[scan83g]

Some description of my model found online (others may vary)

Philips USA PH61111 - 24dB Dual Output VHF/UHF/FM Amplifier
# 1-in to 2-out
# 12dB x 2 and 50–900MHz

so only 12dB per output terminal but I can share antenna with two scanners now which is also good.

I will keep listening for a new signal so far just notice some weak signals are more intelligable than before.

 

[trooperdude]

I was wondering if anyone else had tried this before and their results.

Input
antenna -> adaptor BNC to F -> Cable amp in

Output
Cable amp -Out -> Coax jumper with F connector/ BNC -> scanner

Amplifier says it covers frequencies of 50 to 900 Mhz.
Seems to work at least some hard to judge yet how well.
testing some now.

I mount one pole-top Electrocom in a small Nema14 Hoffman box and run power to it via
weatherized coax.

antenna> notch filters> amplifier-> cable run to scanner or amplified splitter> scanner

Try to minimize adapters.

Pole top mounting makes a HUGE difference in the signal to noise ratio. Especially
at 800 Mhz.

Put your amplifiers at the BEGINNING of the cable run, instead of the end.

 

[trimmerj]

I bought several of these 30-500mhz jobs
http://www.iceradioproducts.com/reconly.html#Receive Signal


Pretty happy
Much cheaper than the Streisberg. The TV amps seem to want to roll off at 50mhz

 

[n2ops]

TV Amps

In my rural situation with no nearby transmitters I use 1 to 4 amps to use 4 scanners with one antenna with good results. One line goes to another room to another 1 to 4 amp.

Check out my source:

http://www.solidsignal.com/cat_display.asp?CAT=Amplifiers

They will overload your scanner in a suburban or urban location.

 

[MB]

I mount one pole-top Electrocom in a small Nema14 Hoffman box and run power to it via
weatherized coax.

antenna> notch filters> amplifier-> cable run to scanner or amplified splitter> scanner

Try to minimize adapters.

Pole top mounting makes a HUGE difference in the signal to noise ratio. Especially
at 800 Mhz.

Put your amplifiers at the BEGINNING of the cable run, instead of the end.

Sounds like a good setup. Where would you get an Electrocom amp? Also, what kind of notch filters do you use? Is there a jumper from the antenna to the notch filters?

What about the lighning arrestor to protect your receiver or amplifier. Where would this be placed? Before the amp or before the receiver? Or do you even use one?

Sorry so many questions. It sounds like you have a good setup here, just trying to get some more detailed info. I am looking at adding a setup like this to my current antenna and I am wondering what to buy and where.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[trooperdude]

Sounds like a good setup. Where would you get an Electrocom amp? Also, what kind of notch filters do you use? Is there a jumper from the antenna to the notch filters?

What about the lighning arrestor to protect your receiver or amplifier. Where would this be placed? Before the amp or before the receiver? Or do you even use one?

No lightening arrestor needed for my area. The mast is grounded.

I get the amps off of E-bay. around $20. New in Box, Good quality Canadian made, potted in a METAL box for RF rejection and solid.

Feed the power up a separate run of RG-6

Notch filter to filter out NexTel, from PAR Electronics (custom tuned, not cheap), I have a lot of NexTel between me and my target trunk system which will hopefully disappear with re-banding. Until then it's notched.

No jumper, I had Dale make one up with F connectors so it goes directly into the amplifier with no jumper or adapter.

Everything lives in a small hoffman box just below the Yagi on the pole, that's NEMA 14 weatherproof rated.

You can also use the same setup with an 800 omni.

The antenna system into my Spectra kicks BUTT, and I'm 40+ miles away from a low powered trunk system.

 

[trooperdude]

I bought several of these 30-500mhz jobs
http://www.iceradioproducts.com/reconly.html#Receive Signal


Pretty happy
Much cheaper than the Streisberg. The TV amps seem to want to roll off at 50mhz

I tried one of those and wasn't happy with the ICE product. Called to ask
some questions about a shipping problem (on their end), and they got real snotty.

Sold mine on e-bay.

It wasn't very well made, but definitely cheaper than Stridsburg.

Yes, TV amps are designed to roll off around 52Mhz, so they aren't used for low band Rx.