I have been looking at aerial boosters for my TV but confused why the
input and 4 outputs are the same gender. I would have thought the input
and output would be different.

Here is the link for picture
http://www.ronielectronics.co.uk/Det...UG%20IN%20amp:

Thanks

Paul

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been looking at aerial boosters for my TV but confused why
the
input and 4 outputs are the same gender. I would have thought the
input
and output would be different.

Here is the link for picture

http://www.ronielectronics.co.uk/Det...&PageDel=PRODU
CT:%20SLX4P%204%20WAY%20PLUG%20IN%20amp:

Thanks

Paul


You don't want one of that type anyway.

A plug-top unit like that will have to amplify an already attenuated
signal and will just result in noise.

You need a masthead amp to boost the signal whilst it is still
pristene, then let the cable attenuate the clean and bigger signal.


--
Woody

harrogate2 at ntlworld dot com

Bear with me Woody.

What the hell's a masthead amp and where can I get one.

Will it feed two TVs from one aerial ?

Paul

Is this what I need?

Why is it different from a Booster?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products...w.kelkoo.co.uk

Is this what I need?

That's just the (indoor) power supply, which would send DC power up
the coaxial cable to a masthead amplifier.

Why is it different from a Booster?

"Booster" is a very general and unspecific term. It could refer to
either or both of two different functions.

Function #1: signal splitting and isolation. A splitter will "divide"
the incoming RF power two, three, four, or more ways, and feed the
power to the desired number of TV sets. A splitter also provides
impedance matching and isolation, so that connecting or disconnecting
one TV set from a branch doesn't cause the picture quality to change
on the other TV sets.

You need a splitter to run two or more TV sets or VCRs or DVRs properly.

Function #2: amplification. An amplifier will increase the strength
of the incoming signal(s) and feed the amplified signal to its output.
Amplification may be needed for any or all of several reasons:

- The incoming signal at the antenna is just too darned weak.

- You're using a splitter to divide the power several ways, and a
signal which was strong enough to give good image quality on a
single TV set is not strong enough when split N different ways.

- The (inevitable) electrical losses in your coaxial cables are
reducing the strength of the incoming signal too much.

A simple "booster" (in consumer-marketing language) is often a
combination of a 2- or 4-way splitter, and a simple amplifier. It's
usually installed indoors.

In many cases, the best place to add an amplifier (if you need one at
all) is up on the antenna mast, as close as is practical to the
antenna (hence the name "masthead"). This location allows the
amplifier to increase the power in the incoming signal *before* a
bunch of the signal is lost in the coax cables. It minimizes the
effect of the additional noise which any amplifier adds to the signal.

So - in cases where you really do need more signal, the best
combination is often:

[1] A high-quality masthead amplifier - one which can boost the weak
signals *without* being overloaded by strong signals from local
stations or non-TV transmitters.

[2] A power-supply unit (such as the one your URL points to), connected
to the antenna cable near where it enters the house.

[3] A passive (non-amplified) wide-frequency-range signal splitter,
which has enough ports on it to feed the TV sets and etc. you care
about, but no more ports than that (unused ports on a splitter do
use up some of the signal power).

If you have only a single TV set, you can get by with just [1] and [2]
and don't need [3].

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

Thanks Dave