Can I use this as a pre-amp for my AOR 8200 MK111 ?

[dragon48]

I thought I found a cheap pre-amp on amazon, but ended up buying something designed to amplify T.V. signals and it doesn't have any way to connect to my radio.

Is there any way to buy a cable converter and get this thing between my BNC antenna and radio?


Amazon.com: Channel Master CM-3410 1-Port Ultra Mini Distribution Amplifier for Cable and Antenna Signals: Electronics


Thanks

 

[N4GIX]

There are many ways you could go about that. The simplest would be a Male F connector to female BNC adapter, or a short cable with a Male F connector on one end and a Male BNC on the other end.

If you have a Radio Shack nearby, you can probably find the adapter there more quickly, and cheaper. I found an adapter on Amazon for $0.60 + shipping, which was higher in price than another one for $3.80 and free shipping!

 

[dragon48]

Not sure if I have this right.

One of my local hardware stores doesn't have all the right parts, but the guy took a length of 75 OHM RG-6U Coax, connected it to a BNC compression connector, plugged one end into the from drop port and the other end into the antenna connector of the radio. He then plugged in the power source into the power source port and the plug into the amplifier.

This gets a signal, but it is the exact same signal as I receive if I just have the Coax itself in the radio, not connected to anything. Nothing is improved if I connect the antenna connector into the "to TV port.

Is this setup doing anything at all.

Here is the device's manual:

http://downloads.channelmaster.com/Sheets/34+Series+UG.pdf

 

[N4GIX]

The bandwidth seems appropriate for your intended use: 54 to 1002 MHz so if everything is in fact connected properly you should notice some difference with any 'weak' signals.

Did you connect your antenna to the input port?

 

[kruser]

Do remember that an amplifier also amplifies unwanted and out of band signals plus they introduce noise into the signal.

So the use of an amp on a wideband receiver may actually do more harm than it does good to the signal you are after. They don't list the noise figure in the specs for that model so who knows how noisy it is.

If an amp is needed, it is usually better to by an amp made for radio use and tuned to pass just the band your signal is in so it does not also amplify noise or out of band signals.
TV amps are generally noisy compared to those designed for radio use.

 

[dragon48]

The bandwidth seems appropriate for your intended use: 54 to 1002 MHz so if everything is in fact connected properly you should notice some difference with any 'weak' signals.

Did you connect your antenna to the input port?

Regarding:

Did you connect your antenna to the input port?

DUH - No, because I don't have the appropriate connector. I'm having a ton of fun with this hobby, but I'm obviously not an electrician. So it appears that I'm missing part of the circuit and just having the feed from the radio to the the output port isn't supposed to be doing anything. I'm off to Home Depot tomorrow to get the correct adapter and will hopefully get this working tomorrow night.

 

[Fast1eddie]

What are you wanting to monitor??? Truth be said, the 8200 (and 8600 as well) have extremely high gain RF amplifiers and receive perfectly well without additional amplification. Stay away from adapters, you will induce RF loss. Minor, yes but every little but of good signal is good. Refocus your efforts onto antenna system. Although the 82/86 series will overload with too much antenna, we just have to go with something smaller but still effective.

If I knew what you were going after I could (and will) provide you with some suggestions.

I have a external GRE RF amp, and have found a outboard amp will work well in a electrically quiet rual area coupled to a highly directional antenna with a very narrow bandwidth. Problem with external RF amps is they amplify everything coming in to the front end resulting in high noise levels.

Have had several 8200's (and 8600's) over the years. They are very well engineered and built radios and used correctly will produce excellent results. Granted, you might have to use a mono earphone or headset to pull the signal out, but that's how things work.

Drop me a note and we'll go from there.

ed

 

[dragon48]

ED - thanks.

Pls let me know if you received my message, as nothing shows in my sent messages. If that part isn't working for me, I can just reply with the info.

Mark

 

[dragon48]

I used a Coax cable as an antenna and completed the circuit. It was pretty useless, reacting the same as the stock BNC.

At least I didn't spend too much money on the setup.

 

[N4GIX]

Shielded coax makes a pretty poor antenna... That's why it's called "shielded." Cut the end of the coax down to the bare copper center conductor for about 13" or so.